Suppose that you are awakened from your sleep by a loud noise upstairs. You stare into the inky darkness to no avail. You fear that someone may be in the house, but then it could just be your imagination. You are uncertain whether to go investigate the noise or to phone the police.

The first rule of thumb in this situation is to remain clear headed. Get out of the bed and secure yourself in the room. Aside from locking the door, try to put a piece of furniture up against it to make it harder for someone to come in. Don't stay in the dark either; turn your lights on, and phone the police. If you can't get to a phone, go to the window and holler out for someone to help you.

Prepare to exit from the window in case the burglar tries to enter the room. Speak loudly or scream to scare the intruder away. If the burglar hears you, they will likely flee. Wait for the police to arrive before you exit the room.

What if you wake up in the middle of the night and there is someone in your room? This can be very scary especially if they have some type of weapon. Again, you need to yell loudly. If a neighbor hears you, they may call the cops. If you think it is possible to escape from the room, then try it.

If you realize that there is no way you can get away, you will have to attack the intruder yourself. Ideal body points for which you should aim are the head and groin areas. Try to get the weapon the intruder has, away from him.

The best defense is a good offense. Make sure the house is completely secure before you retire for the night. Keep the location of any extra keys to your residence a secret from everyone. You may want to invest in a security system to protect you and your property. Finally, keep something heavy beside your bed with which you can hit someone if the unthinkable happens, and you are faced with an intruder despite your best efforts.