Family returns home to find a thief stuck in their kitchen exhaust fan shaft: Tips to secure your home’s entry points

In a bizarre incident in Kota, Rajasthan, a thief who tried to break into a house got stuck in the shaft of the kitchen exhaust fan for about an hour. The house owner, Subhash Kumar Rawat, left on a tour to Khatushyamji on January 3, 2019, while his wife returned home the next day at about 1 am. To her shock, part of the intruder's body was hanging from the kitchen fan shaft; therefore, he was helpless. Police took him safely out and into custody. The video went viral since the rescue, showing both the brazenness of criminals and how break-ins come along with unexpected risks.As per Instagram post, the man had plans to break into the house when it was not occupied, as confirmed by the police reports. However, one of his accomplices was said to have run away upon noticing the chaos. In this bizarre burglary attempt, using the exhaust fan shaft, it is obvious that burglars often take advantage of small gaps in homes that are easily overlooked to gain entrance into a house. Even the most unlikely places in a house, like small windows or ducts, can form potential security hazards even if they are not normally checked.This incident, although rare, highlights the volatility of attempts made by offenders. The offenders could resort to novel and unconventional breaking methods, mostly when houses seem empty and are not closely monitored. The incident involving the Kota family serves as a reminder to the community.Even such an odd incident as the one described is a reminder that home security means being able to rely on both traditional and unorthodox methods. The following tips have been suggested by specialists in the area, highlighting vigilance, layered defences, awareness, and proactive household safety planning.Ensure unconventional entry points are secureInstall motion-activated lightsUse surveillance camerasCommunity vigilanceEmergency preparednessSecure valuables