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This email stated that this couple was home in bed and heard someone knocking on their door. The husband went to the door, peeked out the window, and saw a man in only his briefs whose wrists and ankles had been bound with duct tape. He called the police without responding to this man's cries for help, but after awhile, the man slipped out of the tape and ran off. The police were unable to catch him.

First of all, you've got to ask how this man could knock on the door if his hands were bound. This homeowner was smart to not answer the door because the man on the porch was a decoy. There was another man there with him to knocked on the door. They were hopeful that this homeowner would open the door so they could barge in and either take what they wanted, or do physical harm to the couple. Thank goodness, all of that was avoided.

Don't flash large sums of money in public. Don't give those looking for a score to think you're it. Be careful walking out of the bank with a money bag, too. Someone could be watching and follow you home.

Keep doors locked. Even when you're home, keep your doors secure. Many home invasions require little more on the part of the thief or assailant than just walking through the door.

During the day, acknowledge the knock. If a stranger knocks during the day, talk to him through the door. If you don't answer, the person on the outside may think you're not there and think it's safe to go on in. Also, especially when you're there alone, once you realize you don't know who's at your door, holler to an imaginary person so they won't think you're alone. Overhearing, "It's okay, honey. I've got it," leads them to think you're not alone.

Late at night, don't acknowledge the knock. Pretend you're not home. Call 911 if you're afraid. Late at night, burglars assume you are at home, and they expect someone to let them in so they can do them harm.

Don't open your door to strangers. If someone appears at your door for any reason wanting to use your phone, offer through the closed door to make the call for him. If he says someone in his car is sick and they need a glass of water, again, through the closed door, offer to call 911 for him. If someone appears in work clothes saying they've been sent by their company to do work for you, leave him standing outside until you've called that entity and they say they've sent this person. Be wary of people you don't know, whether door-to-door magazine sellers, a young woman holding a baby, or an older woman wanting to borrow a cup of sugar.

Demand identification from anyone saying they're there on official business - police, firefighters, and utility workers have identification badges and don't mind showing them to you. Call the police. If the stranger is insistent, refuses to leave, or behaves in a suspicious manner, call the police, explain the situation, and ask them to come sort it out.

It's a good idea to have a cordless phone or cell phone handy at all times. It would be a good idea to have one on the nightstand when you may be caught totally off guard. Whether you've responded through the door or not, call 911 and get to a safe place inside your home. At my recent gun class, they suggested getting behind the headboard of your bed or going into a closet. Go to a room that has a lock on the door. It may not keep them out, but it will buy you some time. Wait for the police. Maybe the crooks will be dumb enough to still be there when they arrive.

This is a busy time for holiday shoppers, but whether you're out in the crowds or in the comfort of your own home, it is so important to pay attention to what's going on around you. Your life literally depends on it.