Whether you can see someone in your yard or a concerned neighbor calls or texts you to provide this information, your first instinct might be to panic and call the police. While alerting the authorities is definitely important, it's not the first thing you should do. A lot can happen between the time you call the police and the time an officer arrives, so your first priority should be to protect your home and your family. As soon as you suspect that you're dealing with a prowler, here are some steps that you should quickly take before you call the police.

Arm Your Security System

A home security system is only valuable if it's armed. Given that many families keep the system disarmed when they're at home, you should arm the system right away. Doing so will give you immediate alerts if someone attempts to breach your home through a door or window, as well as sound a loud alarm that may frighten away the intruder. It's ideal if you have a smart home security system, as you'll be able to arm it from your smartphone. This is handier than having to go to the control panel near the front door, as you may be nervous about moving around inside your home.

Turn Your Exterior Lights On

If it's dark outside, a quick way to protect your home from a prowler is to turn your exterior lights on. Few prowlers will want to stick around when they're no longer able to hide in the shadows. With the exterior lights turned on, the person in your yard will be more visible to neighbors and people walking or driving past your home, which should compel him or her to scurry away. Turn each of your exterior lights on so that there's no longer a worthwhile place for the prowler to hide.

Close Your Blinds

If you feel comfortable doing so, running throughout your house to quickly close your blinds and drapes can make you feel more secure. This is especially advantageous if you're home alone and feel vulnerable. If a prowler can see that you're alone, he or she may feel more confident to break in. However, with the blinds closed, there's no telling how many people might be in the house — and this uncertainty can be enough to send the prowler on his or her way. Once you've completed the following steps, you can call the police.

For more information, contact companies like MD Electrical LLC.