Survival expert reveals the best places to hide during a home invasion for a quick escape — and why the garage is riskiest
When danger reaches your doorstep, the first decision you make matters more than you realize. In such a situation, sometimes, instinct tells people to hide wherever they can. However, according to a survival expert, that instinct can be deadly if it costs time. In a video posted on TikTok, a survival expert, who goes by the handle @class.nomeleve, explained that during a home invasion, there are no truly safe hiding spots. There are only places that may help buy a few seconds to escape from the situation. The clip, posted on December 23, 2025, has reached over 22,000 views.
“This is not a survival plan. This is about buying seconds, not winning. Hiding will not save you. Escaping does.” She emphasized that it is important to understand that home invasions are not only dangerous but may also involve more than one person. She began by sharing the worst hiding places: closets, under beds, bathrooms, and garages. “People go to these places instinctively, yet intruders go to them first,” she revealed. Closets keep people frozen in silence and panic, while hiding under beds leaves them exposed the moment an intruder looks down.
She went on to say that bathrooms offer little chance of escape, as attackers frequently inspect shower curtains and windows offer no practical way out. The expert added, “The next one is bedrooms. Intruders always go there for valuables.” The most dangerous place to hide, according to her, is a garage. “Garages echo, so your sound is more amplified. There may be tools in your garage which can be used as a weapon by [sic] them, and if there's more than one intruder, there is no exit once you're cornered. Most garages make loud noises and open very slowly once they're turned on,” she said. Basements, as per the expert, are another bad idea for hiding. “Below ground is surrender.”
She then shared the places that are best for hiding; however, she reminded, they are also not safe, but can help buy time during survival. “The first one is near the exit that you can abandon instantly. It's also recommended to hide between structured barriers, thick walls, appliances, or anything that blocks the line of sight and slows movement,” the expert explained. Dark areas where a person can move rather than freeze can be good spots, along with high-ground transitional spaces like stairs, which allow movement. She said choosing spots where you can hear movement before being noticed can save your life.
The kitchen was also mentioned as a potentially safer area, as many kitchens have direct exits to the outside, allowing escape rather than entrapment. The expert also emphasized the necessity of turning off all the lights during an invasion, as people living there know the house layout better than the intruders.
In her video, she also talked about the warning signs that highlight a break-in may be imminent, which included late-night knocks, shadows outside the home, and footsteps. In such a scenario, the expert advised locking the doors. At the end of the video, she reminded the viewers that “hiding is a psychological comfort, not protection.” The video sparked an intense response, with many questioning their own safety plans. “In a home invasion, isn’t it assumed they’re going to kill you? They know you’re home, they come armed,” mentioned @pamelastocklmeir. Meanwhile, @ihtfatpeople remarked, “So nowhere.” “What if I just jump out of the window?” asked @ihategrapes0.
You can follow @class.nomeleve on TikTok for more life hacks.