It's the one in a million situation played out in movies like Panic Room - criminals, for a reason you don't understand, decide to storm into your home and take over. Maybe they're going overkill with a standard robbery, or maybe they're sadists looking to terrorize a young family. Whatever they're twisted motivations are, you don't want to know. All that matters is figuring out how to beef up your home security to keep these intruders out of your house. Because although these situations are rare, as recent events in a wealthy Connecticut neighborhood have shown us, they do happen sometimes, and there's no way to know if you'll be one of the unlucky ones.

So how do you keep your home security in check?

The first, and perhaps, most obvious tip is to install a good home security system and actually turn it on. Nowadays, these systems are incredibly affordable for all income levels, and come with myriad extra features to help protect your house. Some systems come attached to fire and smoke detectors, and you can get doors that only open with keypads, so that no one can ever jimmy your lock. You can have security cameras installed, as well.

Second, make sure that you have strong doors and windows. It's possible to buy doors that are specifically made with security in mind, or just find a door that happens to have steel bars. This will make it very difficult for someone to break in. You can also buy window guards, which are especially useful if you live in an urban area or have first-floor windows that are easily accessible from outside. Also, make sure to keep your doors and windows locked and closed at night or when you're not home. You may want to crack a window to let that breeze flow through the house on a sticky July nighttime so that you can get some sleep, but that's makes just as much sense as installing a home security system and then neglecting to turn it on. Buy a fan - it'll be worth the investment.

Now that you have all of the equipment, now you need to learn how to conduct yourself. Avoid answering the door - even in the middle of the day - if you're home alone and don't recognize who's standing on your front stoop. If you must answer the door, try to step out of the house as opposed to inviting the stranger into the threshold. This would make it harder for them to force you inside against your will. If the person at your door asks to use your bathroom, politely refuse, or make up some plumbing problems if you feel awkward. This is a common tactic to gain entrance into one's home. When you're personal safety is at risk, it's worth feeling a bit rude. If it's a hot day and they ask for some water, go back into the house, close the door behind you, and a water bottle to bring to them outside.

Finally, trust your instinct. If something feels off, close the door immediately. Once again, you're goal here is not to come off as friendly, but to protect yourself and your family.