Protecting Your Family Against Home Invasions

This cautionary video on personal safety begins by equating the crime of home invasion with the 9/11 terrorist attacks, complete with pictures of the Twin Towers going up in smoke. People who don't share this dire vision are “simply one day closer to…being the latest victim," we're told--a warning that is underscored by a graphic reading “one of every 10 homes is invaded each year.” Unfortunately, cheap scare tactics--such as the ones employed here, presented with breathless paranoia--come across as flimflam no matter how relatively well-intentioned, undercutting the potentially valuable content. In addition, many of the solutions suggested are fairly costly--full exterior illumination, for example--to the point that this title sometimes shares attributes with infomercials for the home security industry. Heavy-handedness aside, this is a vital topic of interest to Americans today, so consider this professional-looking production a strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (M. Tribby)