Burglary of an occupied home or burglars striking an occupied residence is what it used to be called but in the past few years it's known as home invasion.
States will vary quite widely on the legalities of this crime.
Usually the assailant will be charged with what they do in the home after entering it.
You can do a search for home invasions to see what your state's laws are.
I think you'll be quite surprised at what you read.
Connecticut Congressman Chris Murphy wants it to make it a federal crime.
According to what I have read online home invasions are on the rise in 2010.
Many attribute this to poor economy, loss of jobs, easy cash banks and some have even gone as far to say it is the United States drug use.
At any rate there is 1 of every 5 homes that get invaded every year.
That works out to about 7,500 homes per day.
Here are a few tips that might safeguard your home against such crimes.

• Try to live in a close knit community.
  Do you and your neighbors look out for everyone around them? Do you have a block watch? Most neighborhoods like this are better protected from outsiders.
  
• Try to live in a fenced in community.
  In other words is there only a few entrances into your neighborhood? Some communities have courts or circle roads instead of streets that go straight through to other main streets.
  
• Try to live in condos or apartments that have only inside entrances.
  This usually includes a locked door you have to access in order to get inside the building to your home.
  
• Safeguarded you home.
  Do a walk around and check for weak spots.
  
• Install dead bolt locks.
  This is relatively cheap to do.
  
• Install peep holes in your doors.
  
• Well lit areas are good for your home also.
  
• Newer safeguarded windows.
  Double or trip pane glass types.
  
• Alarm systems installed.
  This will alert you as well as your neighbors of intruders.
  
• Camera systems can protect your home and can give you an early warning of intruders.
  
• Never open doors to strangers.
  Delivery persons, City workers, Sales persons.
  Always ask for ID's.
  
• Keep doors and garage doors locked at all times while at home with an alarm on if you have one.
  

This is just a few of basic common sense things you can do to cut down the statistics that your home will be invaded.
As indicated before, do a walk around and see what is weak in your home.
Onceyou correct all the weak areas call your insurance agent to see if you qualify for a discount.
This is an issue that is growing and no one is immune but with some common sense tips you can protect what's yours as well as your family.