See my post. Unless there is easier access to second floor windows, the breach in this case is likely on the ground floor. As the parents and 9 year old are on the ground floor in close proximity, and probably close to the stairs leading to the second floor, having two armed (husband wife) snatch the 9 year old and move quickly upstairs, one point, one rearguard, in this scenario makes better sense. As opposed to two unarmed teens come down where they might run smack into badguys on the way there. If it were my kids at stake, what I posted would give all of them the best chance imo.
How to handle this situation...
- Thread starter Balrog
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She make not be able to clear a house solo, but you could teach her to be rear guard as you move point.
JeeperCreeper
Member
Due to the layout of the floor plan, there really is no way to get the people upstairs down, or the people downstairs up, without moving past the front and back doors, which are points of potential entry for an intruder.
I think the best way to deal with the situation when I think about the floor plan and where everyone is, would be for me to deal with the threat on the ground floor, and make sure the upstairs people know just to stay upstairs til the commotion dies down. The last thing I need is for one of them to wander into a situation downstairs, or walk into an intruder.
I think the best way to deal with the situation when I think about the floor plan and where everyone is, would be for me to deal with the threat on the ground floor, and make sure the upstairs people know just to stay upstairs til the commotion dies down. The last thing I need is for one of them to wander into a situation downstairs, or walk into an intruder.
You said the alarm indicated a window opened. What if it is an upstairs window? I would be more concerned about someone maybe already in the house, and the kids upstairs than moving past doors.
Sav .250
Member
In case I missed it, you didn`t say if you had a plan of sort for problems like your scenario. Or is everybody free to do what ever ?
Seems to me you have nothing in the pro-active preparedness dept. You have the house secured to a degree but what about a plan for the people ?
Just my 2 cents.
Seems to me you have nothing in the pro-active preparedness dept. You have the house secured to a degree but what about a plan for the people ?
Just my 2 cents.
Water Garden
Member
Firstly.. I am not going to sit around "troubleshooting" the situation. I will assume that an alarm means a breach has occurred and that danger is likely afoot. Of course I am open to the fact that it may be a false alarm but initially I am going to assume that its legit. We have always had dogs and a good one will certainly let you know if someone is truly in the home. Our pup would be going insane if a stranger crawled through a window.
I will have adopted a "plan" which includes everyone in the household. Each person will have an idea of what is expected of them at the onset of the ALARM and they will clearly understand what their primary and secondary goals need to be. In the event of a burglar/intruder alarm, children are going to need to stay put for the most part but close and lock their door until a parent comes. Movement can be risky but if there are more than one child, I would say that the older need to quickly move to the youngest room. The parents will soon be making there way there to unite with them. If a fight comes before then, the kids have more of a chance together than apart. The last thing I need is a household of people running all around when I suspect that an intruder has made his way into the home. The kids need to know that when the alarm goes off, you need to MOVE right then as movement will likely be safer in the first few moments of the alarm as opposed to minutes after. If there are no children in the home I would normally suggest that a person stay put and prepare to defend themselves. If the alarm is audible, turn the dang thing off so that I can better evaluate the potential for danger and intruder-movement inside the home. A 911 call for assistance is better done sooner rather than later but each person will have to decide in the moment if they feel its necessary or not. If I do have children in the home, I am going to move in their direction with my wife( who is also armed) and get everyone into one bedroom. I would be in no hurry to clear the house but at some point, I will have to venture out and do just that. When clearing a house I would prefer to do it with a handgun and not a rifle. I would also prefer to use a handheld light in concert with my weapon and not single WML system. In the end, if it turns out to be a false alarm, that's when the "troubleshooting" begins.
I cant stress enough how important I think it is to have a dog that is of a breed known for their innate protective/guarding instincts. All my life I have had Chows and Dobermans as inside dogs, there will never be time when I don't have one or the other.
Another "must have" condition is solid doors, door jambs and quality locks. Sure a person can make their way through sheet rock fairly easily just like they can a glass window but most badguys do not want to do that for obvious reasons. It cost me a good bit of money but every door in my house is a realistic barrier when locked.
I will have adopted a "plan" which includes everyone in the household. Each person will have an idea of what is expected of them at the onset of the ALARM and they will clearly understand what their primary and secondary goals need to be. In the event of a burglar/intruder alarm, children are going to need to stay put for the most part but close and lock their door until a parent comes. Movement can be risky but if there are more than one child, I would say that the older need to quickly move to the youngest room. The parents will soon be making there way there to unite with them. If a fight comes before then, the kids have more of a chance together than apart. The last thing I need is a household of people running all around when I suspect that an intruder has made his way into the home. The kids need to know that when the alarm goes off, you need to MOVE right then as movement will likely be safer in the first few moments of the alarm as opposed to minutes after. If there are no children in the home I would normally suggest that a person stay put and prepare to defend themselves. If the alarm is audible, turn the dang thing off so that I can better evaluate the potential for danger and intruder-movement inside the home. A 911 call for assistance is better done sooner rather than later but each person will have to decide in the moment if they feel its necessary or not. If I do have children in the home, I am going to move in their direction with my wife( who is also armed) and get everyone into one bedroom. I would be in no hurry to clear the house but at some point, I will have to venture out and do just that. When clearing a house I would prefer to do it with a handgun and not a rifle. I would also prefer to use a handheld light in concert with my weapon and not single WML system. In the end, if it turns out to be a false alarm, that's when the "troubleshooting" begins.
I cant stress enough how important I think it is to have a dog that is of a breed known for their innate protective/guarding instincts. All my life I have had Chows and Dobermans as inside dogs, there will never be time when I don't have one or the other.
Another "must have" condition is solid doors, door jambs and quality locks. Sure a person can make their way through sheet rock fairly easily just like they can a glass window but most badguys do not want to do that for obvious reasons. It cost me a good bit of money but every door in my house is a realistic barrier when locked.
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This additional information does help us understand the situation better.
Your dealing with the threat, downstairs, while the upstairs folks shelter in place, is a valid plan. A serious complication can occur, however, if/when the threat is more than one person. Another wild card would be any of the children being in another part of the house when the threat makes its appearance.
The complex floor plan of your home helps me appreciate the simplicity of our one-story bungalow, with all bedrooms connected by a single hallway.
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DeepSouth
Random Guy
Well first I’d shut the alarm up, as I hate those things. Second I’d look out the peep hole to see if the motion lights were own, about now I’d probably be screaming at the dog to shut up! I would have grabbed the pistol when I got out of bed, so using the flashlight on said pistol to see I’d make my way to the door that the alarm said was opened, (still screaming at the dog) then I’d verify it hadn’t been opened and was still locked, then I’d go back to bed, and consider an assassination of the dog. Which I’d never do because I love the little loud mouth 95% of the time.
I’ve done all that in less than 5 mins before, so I don’t have to assume what I’d do, I’ve done it before, a couple times.
I’ve done all that in less than 5 mins before, so I don’t have to assume what I’d do, I’ve done it before, a couple times.
Vern Humphrey
Member
The Parable of the Skydivers
There were two men who went skydiving. They jumped from 12,000 feet -- one of them without a parachute.
As they fell free of the plane, he shouted to his companion, "Well? Tell me what I should do now!"
And his companion replied, "I really can't tell you what you should do now. But if you'd asked me ten seconds ago, I could have told you what you should not do."
The meaning of this parable is, if you wait until you've jumped before you look for a solution, it may be too late to find one.
Start BEFORE you buy or build a house -- and select a design where you can have a safe room that everyone can reach quickly. Rehearse gathering in the safe room. Be sure you can cover the approach to the safe room. Be sure there is alternate communications and exits.
Then gather in the safe room, prepare to defend it, and contact the security company or the police. Then sit tight.
There were two men who went skydiving. They jumped from 12,000 feet -- one of them without a parachute.
As they fell free of the plane, he shouted to his companion, "Well? Tell me what I should do now!"
And his companion replied, "I really can't tell you what you should do now. But if you'd asked me ten seconds ago, I could have told you what you should not do."
The meaning of this parable is, if you wait until you've jumped before you look for a solution, it may be too late to find one.
Start BEFORE you buy or build a house -- and select a design where you can have a safe room that everyone can reach quickly. Rehearse gathering in the safe room. Be sure you can cover the approach to the safe room. Be sure there is alternate communications and exits.
Then gather in the safe room, prepare to defend it, and contact the security company or the police. Then sit tight.
JeeperCreeper
Member
Honestly, I'd be more concerned about a break in during the day when a burgalar thinks no one is home.
Be prepared for any situation, but most break-ins occur during the day
Be prepared for any situation, but most break-ins occur during the day
MedWheeler
Member
So, should the OP wait until he can plan to move, do so using the above advice, and then come back and ask?
Or should the second skydiver simply have grabbed the first and completed the dive in tandem (actually tried to help?)
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Well this house is paid for, and in a few years, the kids will be out of the house so there will no longer be an issue with upstairs/downstairs. What I would rather do than sell the house and take on a new mortgage for thirty years, which I will probably never live to pay off anyway, is figure out how to be as safe as I can be where I am. Thanks for the tip, I guess.
1. Check out my new wife
2. The kids can fend for themselves, I'm still checking out the wife
3. OK, I finally got to your question:
a. I have several large dogs, they will most likely be attacking anyone coming through said window.
b. I grab the closest HD rifle and go investigate
Audie Murphy
member
I would most likely soil myself. Then, I reckon I would do my best to stop the incident. Good thread, but I reckon instinct would take over. Pray it never happens.
JeffG
Member
Split assignments; put my wife in charge of the child on ground floor, (barricaded and armed) and communicating with law enforcement, on my cue, or sounds of gun fire. Lights on! After arming with firearm, start clearing and flipping on lights. Being on "point" is a bitch, but that's the assignment. Is the dog even awake, or is he asleep? The dog's demeanor tells volumes, even though he's probably useless....
Target identification and threat assessment are the major subjects. Shooting an unknown person that could be a friendly or family member is irreversible. Get loud! Communicating indirectly with the wife and possibly waking family members is important. Shouting.... "The kitchen and living room are clear, all windows and doors are secure so far!" "Moving upstairs, stay put honey....." "Kids upstairs! The alarm went off, I'm checking the house, get some clothes on!"....etc. Your limited penetration into a room to be cleared includes pointing your gun and flipping on the room light. You can tell in an instant if anything was moved or the window is open. Pie the door, clear the closet; move on.
Check the perimeter and all the rooms from the inside; rally all family members in the kitchen/dining room and then check the house from the outside. Outside check done holstered with separate flashlight. Don't need to be confronted by a neighbor, or a cop on a possible prowler call with your pistol in your hand. Are the motion lights activated? What does the camera say? It's a process with multiple possible outcomes. It could be as simple as the daughter's on/off boyfriend who is high or drunk, and is dying to see her. (pun intended) Or an invasion with armed robbery intent; single or multiple perps.
Once the physical threat has been discounted or dealt with, then you start on the informational solution; was the alarm faulty? Did the boyfriend open the window? Were one of the kids going out of the window?
Work toward a solution.... Safety first, and leave the outbuildings until morning. My .02 cents.
Target identification and threat assessment are the major subjects. Shooting an unknown person that could be a friendly or family member is irreversible. Get loud! Communicating indirectly with the wife and possibly waking family members is important. Shouting.... "The kitchen and living room are clear, all windows and doors are secure so far!" "Moving upstairs, stay put honey....." "Kids upstairs! The alarm went off, I'm checking the house, get some clothes on!"....etc. Your limited penetration into a room to be cleared includes pointing your gun and flipping on the room light. You can tell in an instant if anything was moved or the window is open. Pie the door, clear the closet; move on.
Check the perimeter and all the rooms from the inside; rally all family members in the kitchen/dining room and then check the house from the outside. Outside check done holstered with separate flashlight. Don't need to be confronted by a neighbor, or a cop on a possible prowler call with your pistol in your hand. Are the motion lights activated? What does the camera say? It's a process with multiple possible outcomes. It could be as simple as the daughter's on/off boyfriend who is high or drunk, and is dying to see her. (pun intended) Or an invasion with armed robbery intent; single or multiple perps.
Once the physical threat has been discounted or dealt with, then you start on the informational solution; was the alarm faulty? Did the boyfriend open the window? Were one of the kids going out of the window?
Work toward a solution.... Safety first, and leave the outbuildings until morning. My .02 cents.
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