Fictional media presents us with images of the every day man turned hero.
Television shows, films, books and magazines tell us stories of people just like us saving the day - rescuing children from burning buildings, surviving extreme situations, standing up to attackers and making it out alive, etc.
We are a nation that values self-reliance and self-sufficiency above almost all else, and this is reflected largely in the stories we tell and the heroes we create.
Nevertheless, there are times when playing the hero can be a less than great idea.
In fact, it can be a very bad, dangerous and even deadly notion.
It is vital to know when to stand up and when to step down, when to fight back and when to wait for help.
This is especially true when it comes to home security.
As much as we would like to think that we can stay in complete control of the safety and security of our homes, it is impossible to avoid the fact that there are certain things that are simply beyond our control.
The ideal is, of course, to avoid emergency situations as a whole.
This is something that you can quite often accomplish with a simple bit of precaution.
Install a home alarm system to take some of the pressure off of yourself in the first place and to keep your home safe.
These systems serve as a first line of defense against burglars and attackers.
Consider installing other devices - dead bolts, motion sensor lights, cameras, etc.
- if you feel necessary, too.
Think of an emergency plan for in case something should happen.
Talk to family members about what to do in incidences of fire, gas leaks, intrusions and more.
Hopefully, you'll never have to put your plans into action.
It's never a bad idea, however, to be at least somewhat prepared.
If something should go wrong, try to be as prudent and careful as possible.
Sometimes, the smartest thing you can do is know that you cannot handle the situation alone.
And while television heroes seemingly have no consequences, you could.
If you hear a strange noise in your house and feel confident that there is someone there, don't feel pressured to investigate.
Instead, leave along with your entire family and determine whether to call the police or ask a neighbor for help.
You don't want to surprise and confront a burglar whose reaction you cannot predict.
Some people in extreme situations can do very extreme things, and an intruder with no intent of harming you could attack should he or she feel threatened or panic.
Yes, our televisions and mythologies fill us with stories of regular people turned heroes.
And while these stories are nice, they are not realistic.
Sometimes, the most heroic thing we can do is to know when we cannot control a situation and call the police.