When Strangers Knock: Why Every Home Needs a Defense Plan
By Jeremy Robbins, CEO of Krav Maga Maryland
This time of year brings cooler weather, decorations, and the steady rhythm of footsteps up to front doors. Trick-or-treaters, delivery drivers, and solicitors make this one of the few times of year when strangers approaching your home feel normal. But that same comfort can make people less alert, and that’s when vulnerabilities appear.
A home defense plan isn’t about paranoia or fear. It’s about preparedness, communication, and making sure your family knows exactly what to do when the unexpected happens.
Why a Home Defense Plan Matters
Most families (hopefully) have a plan for fire, storms, or medical emergencies. Few have one for a knock at the wrong time.
Increased foot traffic, earlier sunsets, and distractions during fall months can create perfect conditions for crimes of opportunity. The truth is, prevention starts long before a threat reaches your door.
Layered security, lighting, cameras, and clear entry points help deter unwanted visitors. But equipment alone isn’t enough. The plan matters most when adrenaline hits and your mind needs to act, not think.
The Core Components of a Home Defense Plan
Communication and Roles
Decide who answers the door (in some instances, no one should), who observes, and who calls for help. Everyone in the home should know the plan without needing to ask questions in the moment, and everyone of age should be able to initiate it.
Entry Awareness
Walk through your home and identify choke points, blind spots, and exit routes. Small details, like knowing which lights to turn on, can make a significant difference.
Tools and Training
Whether it’s a Byrna launcher, a firearm, or other defensive tools, access and familiarity are critical. Training under stress builds muscle memory that tools and technology alone can’t replace.
Emergency Communication
Have key contacts ready: 911, trusted neighbors, or nearby family. Test smart home integrations or apps that can send alerts instantly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Leaving doors unlocked when expecting deliveries or guests
Ignoring poor lighting around driveways or entrances
Failing to practice or discuss what to do if someone forces entry
A plan doesn’t have to be complex; it just has to be realistic and rehearsed.
Real-life example
Even with the best intentions, most people don’t think about personal safety until something happens close to home.
This recent story captures exactly why every family should take home defense seriously:
The most vital moment in any confrontation is when you ask yourself, “When do I start to fight?” Knowing when to act is just as important as knowing how to. If you wait too long, it becomes just as ineffective as never having trained at all. The same goes for calling the police — hesitation can cost critical seconds.
It’s easy to say what you would have done, but as the quote reminds us:
“We don’t rise to the level of our expectations; we fall to the level of our training.”
Now, take that one step further, have you considered what the law actually allows where you live?
Do you know your state laws surrounding defending your property, or better yet, defending your home?
For those who have taken any of KMMD’s Firearm Courses, we talk extensively about the Use of Force Continuum and Maryland’s Castle Doctrine, which define when and how defensive actions are justified. Understanding those laws before an incident happens is part of real preparedness; it’s not just about what you can do, but what you should do.
Training Builds Confidence
At Krav Maga Maryland, we help families move from uncertainty to control. Our Home Defense and USCCA-certified courses teach practical skills for real-world safety, from situational awareness to safe room setup and defensive tools that fit your comfort level.
Over the next couple of days, take one evening to review your home defense plan. If you don't have one, create one or join one of our upcoming seminars in 2026 so we can help you plan one. Walk through it with your family, identify gaps, and commit to one improvement.