Strongpoint: How to Protect Your Home and Family When Seconds Matter

Sentinel Combatives — “Peace Through Chaos” / “The Warrior Is the Weapon”

A strongpoint is a military term for a hardened, preselected defensive position. In the home-invasion context it’s the same idea scaled for civilians: a single, defensible room or location in your house where family members can rally, communicate, and stay safe while help arrives. It’s not about fighting — it’s about control, time, and survival.

Below is practical, lawful guidance for planning and rehearsing a home strongpoint that fits into Sentinel Combatives’ philosophy: prepare deliberately, move calmly, and favor avoidance and safety over confrontation.

 Why a strongpoint matters

• Clarity under stress. Panic multiplies danger. A preplanned location removes split-second decision making.
• Force multiplier. If everyone is together in one defensible space you can call 911, account for family members, and keep vulnerable people safe.
• Reduces exposure. Moving to a single room reduces the chance someone is surprised or separated by an intruder.
• Buys time for responders. Police response times vary — a strongpoint lets you wait safely rather than attempt risky actions.

 Choosing your strongpoint — what to look for

Pick one primary room and one backup. Ideal strongpoint characteristics:

• One door you can lock from the inside (bedroom with lockable door or purpose-built safe room).
• Few or covered windows (or windows that can’t be accessed from outside).
• Near a phone/charger and on a floor that’s easy to defend or escape from if necessary.
• A place where children, elderly, or injured people can be kept together and attended to.
• Visibility or a way to listen without exposing yourself (e.g., peephole, cracked door, or quiet phone camera check).

 What to keep in your strongpoint kit (small grab bag)

• Charged phone + charger / powerbank; have emergency numbers pre-programmed.
• Flashlight (not your phone’s screen only) with spare batteries.
• Basic first aid kit, any required medications.
• Small bottle of water and snacks (for longer waits).
• Whistle or noise device (to attract attention if safe to do so).
• A list with your address, front door details, and prewritten short 911 script (see below).
• If you have children: a small comfort/blanket and a plan for who attends to them.

 Roles & simple rehearsal

• Assign roles ahead of time: who calls 911, who gathers the kit, who accounts for children, who unlocks the door for first responders. Keep roles simple so they’re usable under stress.
• Practice quietly: run the drill 2–3 times so everyone knows the route and the kit location. Practice includes a silent cue (e.g., three clicks of a lamp) to move without shouting.
• Keep it realistic: simulate low light, different times of day, and what to do if a family member is asleep or not at home.

 Communication with 911 — a short, calm script

When you call, speak clearly and briefly. Example:

“My name is [Name]. I’m at [exact address]. There is an intruder in my house. I am in [room — e.g., master bedroom], locked inside with [number] people. We are not confronting the intruder. Please send police now. My phone number is [XXX-XXX-XXXX].”

Repeat only if the dispatcher asks for clarification. Keep the line open if they ask you to.

 What not to do

• Don’t pursue or search for the intruder. Moving through the house increases the chance of violent contact.
• Don’t rely solely on improvisation. Preplanning and tools matter (locks, lighting, alarms).
• Don’t treat weapons as a first option. If you own firearms, they must be stored legally and securely. If you keep defensive tools, get proper training and understand legal/responsibility implications in your jurisdiction.

 Home security upgrades that support a strongpoint

• Reinforced locks and hinges; consider a professionally installed deadbolt on main access doors.
• Exterior lighting and motion sensors to deter approach.
• A door viewer or camera to confirm identity before opening.
• A professionally built safe room if you have special requirements (medical, extended sheltering).
• Alarm systems that connect to monitoring services or send push alerts to phones.

 After the incident: safety, report, review

1. Wait for police outside the home or in a safe, prearranged area — do not re-enter until authorities say it’s safe.
2. Get medical help if needed.
3. Give a full statement to police, then do a calm debrief with household members.
4. Review what worked and what didn’t — update the plan and rehearse fixes.

 One-page printable: Strongpoint Quick Checklist

• Primary strongpoint chosen: _______
• Backup strongpoint chosen: _______
• Phone(s) charged + numbers saved? ✔︎
• Flashlight + batteries? ✔︎
• First aid + meds? ✔︎
• Water & small snacks? ✔︎
• Roles assigned (caller / kit / kids / door for responders): _______
• Practice schedule (date): _______
• Home security improvements to schedule: _______

 Legal & safety note

This post offers lawful, defensive best practices for civilian safety. It does not provide instruction for committing violence. Laws about self-defense, firearm possession, and the use of force vary by state and locality — know and follow your local laws. If you own firearms, follow safe-storage laws and seek professional training on safe handling and legal responsibilities.

 Sentinel Combatives offer

At Sentinel, we teach the mindset and practical skills that favor safety, awareness, and avoidance. Our Sentinel Core classes build situational awareness and movement discipline; our Sentinel Advanced Tactics mastery track covers planning, decision-making under stress, and legal/responsible defensive options for those who need them. 

Stay prepared. Stay calm. Protect what matters.

— Sentinel Combatives
Peace Through Chaos • The Warrior Is The Weapon