Most people imagine home invasions happening under the cover of darkness. It’s a common assumption that threats only arise late at night when the house is quiet. However, statistics show that most home invasions actually occur during daylight hours—between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. This timeframe often overlaps with when people are at work or running errands, making homes more vulnerable. Being aware of this shifts the mindset and reminds us that safety protocols shouldn’t only kick in after sunset.
Now imagine coming home and something feels off. A gate is swinging open when you know you closed it. A front door is slightly ajar. These subtle signs might not seem dramatic, but they’re often the first indicators that something’s not right. In situations like this, your instinct might be to rush in and investigate. That’s the moment to stop and think. Before stepping inside, it’s worth assessing whether entering is even necessary—or safe.
The first and smartest question to ask yourself is whether going inside is unavoidable. If you’re alone and no one else is in danger, the best move is to back out, find a secure place, and call 911. However, if there’s a possibility that someone inside needs help—like a family member—you may feel compelled to act. If you do decide to engage, make sure to communicate clearly with emergency services. Let them know your exact location in the house, who else is with you, and whether you’re armed. That kind of information can help prevent confusion and accidents when law enforcement arrives.
If you’ve made the decision to clear your home, your next consideration is your firearm—if you’re trained and legally permitted to carry one. The choice between a handgun, shotgun, or rifle comes down to familiarity and training. This isn’t the time to experiment. Use what you’re most comfortable and accurate with. The video highlights the handgun because of its practicality in tight spaces and how common it is for home defense.
One of the safest and most effective room-clearing techniques is known as “slicing the pie.” This method involves gradually shifting your position at the edge of a doorway or corner, clearing small segments of the room with each step. The goal is to see as much of the room as possible before you physically enter it. This reduces the chance of walking straight into danger. Charging into a room blindly offers too many opportunities for things to go wrong. Moving slowly and scanning methodically helps maintain control.
Footwork plays a critical role in this process. Using a slow, heel-to-toe step gives you more balance and allows you to move with intention rather than noise. Quick, clumsy steps can compromise your awareness or even give away your position. When your movement is deliberate, you gain time to react if something—or someone—is in the room.
Lastly, it’s important not to let your guard down once you’ve cleared a space. As you move from room to room, areas that were safe moments ago could become threats again. It only takes a second for someone to shift locations. This is why constant awareness and checking your surroundings are so important. Keep scanning. Keep reassessing. It’s not just about making it through each room—it’s about making sure nothing follows behind you or slips back into a space you thought was safe.
Room clearing is a high-risk task and not something to take lightly. Training, awareness, and a calm mindset are key to staying in control if you’re ever faced with this kind of situation.
