Security put in place to prevent burglaries will often work against home invasion robberies. Give yourself time to call the police by installing solid core doors, strong locks with reinforced strike plates, and reinforced window devices to deter forced entry into your home.  Plan a retreat to a secure area inside your home to make an emergency call if you wake to discover someone in your home or if you realize someone is breaking in.

Failing to lock doors or windows or opening the door without questions is the best way to ask to be robbed. Hold a family meeting and discuss how to secure your home and how everyone should answer the door when someone knocks. Cover how everyone should act if your home is invaded.  Make sure even the youngest member of the family knows how to get to the designated safe area or where to hide, and that everyone knows to call 911 at the first sign of an intruder in the house.  
Remember these important security steps:
• Use the door peephole BEFORE opening the door
• Use your porch light to help you to see clearly outside
• Never rely on a chain-latch as a barrier to partially open the door
• Never open the door to strangers or solicitors
• Call the police if the stranger acts suspicious
• Alert your neighbors to suspicious solicitors
• Hold a family meeting to discuss home security plans
• Set the home perimeter alarm at night, if you have one
• Install solid core doors, heavy duty locks, and window security devices
• Lock all doors, windows, and garages at all times
• Use four three-inch screws to secure heavy duty lock strike plates in the door frame