Protect your house.

[Dredly]

Hey guys, I posted this in another thread but its on page 8 or so and will probably get lost. I watch a lot of "It Takes a Thief" which is (in my opinion) a great demonstration of how easy it is for people to break in and also how easy it is to prevent this from happening by a "Security renovation"... One thing that is really stressed is it takes a security minded person to secure a house. Gadgets won't do it... Here are some of their most common item

Keep in mind, I'm not an expert, hopefully other people will give their insight as well. Yeah having a gun is great for home protection but what happens when you don't hear them come in or you aren't home at the time? Is your family safe?

Alarm systems aren't going to do most of us any good. Police don't even respond to them in most areas.However there are a lot of ways that you can prevent intruders from coming into your house, or at least making sure you know they are there before they have free reign and a lot cheaper then an alarm install

- inexpensive devices which attach to windows and register when its struck with a very very loud sound (ie: homemade alarm system), just don't forget to lock the windows.

http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ezS...?productID=837

- There is a laminate which you can put on windows which will stop them from being able to be broken out. Its a little pricey but may be a good buy for windows that would be otherwise easy and VERY bad to get broken in... like kids bedrooms on the first floor or sliding glass doors / french doors. May make sense to only do areas of the window that can be reached easily (bottom part of the window?)

http://www.shattersafe.com/
http://www.ultrasecuritywindows.com/SafetySecurity.html

You can also get a cool thing called an Annunciator (sp?) which chimes a handset inside to let you know someone is approaching... works like a motion detection light though... if they stay away from it it won't go off. Great if people routinely come around the back of the house or you are in a different area (ie: basement / workshop). It lets you know with a tone like a door bell when someone crosses the detection zone.

http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ezS...?productID=523

I've seen some pretty impressive tests done on a good deadbolt lock w/ metal supports in the wall... it ain't moving without a battering ram. You can also (and should) get the "more secure" deadbolts where you remove the key from the inside so if there is a glass window they can't break it out and unlock the door. Just make sure you have the key close enough to the door that noone can get it but you can escape in an emergency. If you don't want to run the risk of getting stuck in the house you can always leave the inside key in the lock and take it out when you go to work, on vacation... etc

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...3+90401+527784

And as stupid as it sounds.. signs... who is going to come on the property if there is a sign clearly saying there are video cameras there... are there? who knows? think they are gonna come to find out?

http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ezS..._1_1_1_0_0_143

Also, get some good outdoor motion lights. If someone wants to do something bad make sure they know you can see them, these will also work well as a notice that someone is approaching. Watch though. some are on all the time and just get brighter when someone trips them... these are a waste of electric and also can be tough to tell if they are "on" or "triggered".

http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ezS...productID=1420

http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ezs...productID=1412



I know we all want to protect our valuables, but there is more to it then being ready to shoot anyone that comes in the door... like keeping them from coming in the door in the first place :P

[epfreak64]

Good post . Dont forget to cut the hedges down infront of them windows. Plant with nasty thorns on them in front of the windows

[P-11 shooter]

Motion lights go a long way.

I've done some juvenile dilenquency in my time, and I know for a fact that proper lighting will deter crime, and a motion light coming on in your face will make you rethink what you are doing.

[headcase]

Actually, a properly installed alarm system will deter most burglars. The problems arise when the homeowner does not use the security features they have available to them, or when the system is designed cutting corners to save $50 or $100. Do it yourself home security is iffy at best. If you are going to properly secure your home, do it with a local reputable security company, not ADT or Brinks. Pay the monthly monitoring fee and have smoke detectors installed as well. The company should be able to provide you with a certificate for your insurance company which will give you anywhere between a 5 to 20 percent discount depending on your insurance company's policy. A local company will charge you between $15 and $25 a month, with the average being about $20. ADT and Brinks will charge you upwards of $32.50. If you like animals, get a dog, not a poodle but one that barks like a dog, not like a sick cat. I have been in the electronic security business for over 20 years, I know what I am talking about.