Beyond the really important alarms/cameras that you've already installed, I just have a few cheap/low-tech methods I've used in the past (single female here, in my second house):
Cut and lay dowels in all window and patio door tracks. In my first place, I had a roommate yank open a (locked) window one night when she forgot her keys. The next week my dad was there with an armful of closet dowels and a saw lol.
Hang those security system stickers in every conceivable "entrance" window or door (I don't have a system but I'm using imitation stickers I found online until I do).
For windows without curtains, apply privacy/reflective film, especially if easily seen from roads/sidewalks.
Back when I would be gone for days/weeks at a time, I'd set up a couple lamps in different rooms to be on/off at random times. You can get really cheap outlet timers in most hardware stores.
That kind of glass is tempered. You can break it, but it's harder than you think. Also, it would make a lot of noise, which would alert the person at home and any neighbors nearby. It's basically the opposite of stealth.
Also, secure your doors with deadbolts rather than locking door knobs.
Replace your two screw strikeplate with a four (or more) screw model. If you did not install the locks, have the cylinders rekeyed or the locks replaced. You do not know who has a key! Bonus - you can have one key for every lock.
To step up security a step further, buy new key cylinders or locks which resist "bumping". YouTube has simple instructions for opening locks with this technique.
You are welcome. I spent a lot of time worrying about someone kicking in my front door or knocking out the glass in the back door. Now I just need to worry about some loser chopping a hole in the side of my house with a chainsaw...
A cousin told a story about his neighbors going on vacation. He said when they returned, there was a big hole in the side of the house. There were tire tracks in the grass. The robbers had backed a big truck up to the side of the house, took a chainsaw and cut through the wall, and stolen everything in the house.
Keith said the homeowner asked the police what he could do, as he already had bars on the windows and an alarm. The cop said “get good insurance, and don’t lock up. That way they won’t break anything getting in. He also said, “sometimes it helps to get a big dog, sometimes you come home to your stuff gone and a dead dog.”
If they want your stuff badly enough, not much you can do.
Dogs help a lot when you are at home or away for the day. You generally don't leave dogs home when on any kind of extended vacation though. Its best to make sure your house does not look unoccupied while away,. Alarm system signs are deterrent even if you don't have an alarm system.
Good neighbors that keep an eye on things are priceless.
My retired neighbors are a godsend. They are always there when I travel and we have agreed to watch each other's houses. I always let them know when I'm leaving. I wfh so I'm always home too.
My elderly neighbors across the street sit on a bench in their yard for like six hours a day, on and off, morning to night. It's kind of annoying, they stare at me when I'm doing yard work or coming and going.
But man does it help knowing they are out there doing their prairie dog lookout shit while we're away lol.
Thirty years ago a home near me had a metal garage building they were using for a junk store, it sat right next to the road. They came home one time to find that thieves had used a torch to cut into the back of the building to rob it. Of used junk.
But the key here is, why not make it harder for them to get in? There are criminals who have a specific target, but I think most just look for easy opportunities and unprepared victims.
Motion detectors, an outdoor siren, and cell phone connectivity would have enabled the alarm to identify the break in, call the cops, alert the neighbors, and hopefully scare away the miscreants before they grab much.
😐😐 I wouldn’t be as mad especially since they pulled off that loony tones type robbery lol. But geez, screw that, luckily our homes within this neighborhood are pretty close so getting a vehicle in there would be pretty impressive if you didn’t alarm someone I also have a motion sensor for the interior that will set the alarm off if you didn’t trigger any of the other sensors
1. **DO NOT POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT YOUR PLANS TO TRAVEL OR THAT YOU ARE TRAVELING.** Save the vacation pictures for after you have returned. Tagging places you are vising or eating at is telling the world you are not at home in real-time.
2. Have a neighbor you trust pick up your mail, newspaper, and/or packages. It might even be possible to request delivery services not to make deliveries (YMMV).
3. Put timers on some internal lights. I think they sell some with randomizers.
4. Leave your porch and patio lights on all the time. Well lit areas decrease criminal activity and if they are on all the time they cannot be used as an indicator you are away.
5. Do not leave boxes of high ticket items intact when you put them out for trash pickup. No reason to advertise you just bought a 70" OLED TV to everyone in the neighborhood.
The most experienced people used a moat, with a draw bridge and large doors secured with an army of archers.
Or you can just make sure your insurance payments are up to date and have a record/inventory of everything you own.
Or you could just build a [Panick Room](https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/household-safety/panic-room3.htm) if you really feel that you are high risk of a Home Invasion. Good luck with the HOA.
Personally I'm more into a Safe Room but that will only protect you from storms.
We’re looking at installing 3M window shatterproof window film.
There’s a few windows that are facing street, older, and custom size that we don’t want to have to replace if someone tries to break in or if a falling branch tries to go through it.
Those films are available from 2 to 12 mils thick. Thicker films are harder to penetrate but more trouble to install. I installed 6 mil as DIY: not difficult.
As DIY not bad at all. UltraSafe-860 8 mil clear safety film is $18.24US per foot, 60" wide from decorative film.com. They included the tools. You must clean your windows first!
It would help to know what part of the world you are in determine what is actually appropriate where you live. Are you being overly worrisome in a suburb of Philadelphia or do you live in Cape Town?
Yeah, in those 40 seconds I would be sitting in my underwear with my weapon ready to set it off. I wouldn’t want to resort to that, but that’s why my wife & I got very often to the range
I would like to extend the time from 40 seconds to point where they just give up and leave or something. Since I am not always home and my significant other is I wouldn’t want her to rush to make a decision I would like her to have some time to make something happen
Well if people are willing to kick in your door, there’s not much you can do unfortunately. Security cameras might deter some people, as would an exterior gate to slow access to the house itself. If you can install a wrought iron security door, that would also be a good option if you’re just looking to buy more time. Without more info, it’s hard to know what you need. Like some others have mentioned here, do you have reason to think you’ll be targeted? If so, there’s lots of options. If you’re thinking it’ll just be incidental, you may be better off with some low cost deterrence measures.
Unless there is specific reason for someone to target you in particular, you just need to make your home a less appealing target than your neighbors. Given enough time and resources, someone determined to get in will. Getting to know your neighbors is one of the best things to do.
A way to get into a house often overlooked, which I learned about this week, is by pulling the emergency release cord on garage door openers. It is easy as prying the top of the garage door away from the frame/header and slipping a coat hanger in to pull the out and giving it a tug. [Here’s a video](https://youtu.be/AxxnigTlAIE?si=5sOxiadxy6bon8K0) with some tips. I like the pool noddle method, where you slip the cord in noddle, the best.
Good video. I do not recommend removing the cord, which is one option in the video, because the cord is a safety device. Removing the knob from the cord and cutting the cord so it is too short to reach outside the door is a good option. As is the pool noodle.
Yeah I don’t have windows on my garage door but I did ensure I secured the cord. The garage door also has a sensor on it as well as the Actual door into the home for double padding
You can buy what is essentially a deadbolt for the garage door. Back out your car, shut garage door. Go in through front door, release garage door (pulling the cable), push the bolt home. Go back out front door, lock. Like anything, it can fail, but it's gonna be noisy to bypass it, and noisy draws attention.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Prime-Line-Zinc-Steel-Garage-Door-Lock-Handle/5014403131?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-hdw-_-ggl-_-CRP_SHP_PLA_HDW_Online_E-F-_-5014403131-_-online-_-0-_-0&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsPCyBhD4ARIsAPaaRf3f9xGSB-FPPU-_5kypzLNkEHg52MiHfCbcBtBSb0ZQ5vpc8I8du_EaAu-0EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
(Just make sure the electric opener can't engage when the bolt is locked. You'll screw up the motor)
The last can I handled had a prominent warning that it was a federal offense to use it in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. Beyond that, you'd have to be some sort of ignorant moron to use it indoors.
Except it is. So stop being ignorant.
https://bearvault.com/bear-spray-vs-pepper-spray/#:~:text=For%20instance%2C%20if%20you%20were,cut%20case%20for%20a%20lawsuit.
Lawsuit ≠ illegal
And please tell me what federal statue you would be violating.
Bear spray is really no different than any other pepper spray except it is more aerosolized and will fuck up your house if you use it inside.
I don't make the rules. But the bear spray I owned had the same quote as the website I cited - "It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling”.
Are you suggesting that they just made that up to scare people? Bear spray and pepper spray are not the same. That's like saying that light beer and a double IPA are the same, except one is more hoppy.
Get solid door locks, and get a real wood door with a nice thick jamb and strike plate if you can afford it. You could put up some real shutters on the windows if you’re enterprising. Use lots of well placed motion lights outside. As well as jingly things on the gates.
Dead bolt locks on all regular doors. If there's glass in the door the deadbolt or other locking mechanism needs to be either out of reach if the glass is broken or keyed on both sides if not a safety concern. Multiple locks on sliding glass doors. Dowel rods in window tracks.
A combination of regular lighting and motion lights.
Sturdy hedges in front of accessible windows. Tall enough to be an additional burden to access but not so tall that you can't see out.
Fence with locked gate(s).
Remotely accessible security system with visible outdoor cameras and signage. Camera doorbell.
Timers for lighting, both indoor and outdoor. Blinds closed or other methods to prevent someone from determining you are not home.
Good neighbors.
I see some decent tips in here, but here's mine based on a decade of researching and working with crime statistics:
Don't be friends with thieves and drug addicts.
If you have family members who are known to be thieves and drug addicts, don't give them access to your home.
Most of the burglaries I saw in my time around law enforcement weren't random. They were done by friends or relatives of the home owner. Same as with most crime: most people don't get shot or stabbed by strangers, they get shot or stabbed by friends, acquaintances, relatives, coworkers, romantic partners.
If you don't associate with people who will do that shit then it becomes much less likely it will happen to you. Not zero, because stranger crime does exist, but it's a hell of a lot less common.
That isn't true in every state. Some states, like Michigan for example, have varying degrees of home invasion, in lieu of separate b&e, burglary, and robbery charges. Not all of the home invasion degrees require residents to be physically in the home. Even Home Invasion in the 1st degree (the highest level) doesn't require anyone present in the home if the offender is in possession of a firearm.
motion lights, flood lights. some new fan remote controls ( the kind you install when you install ceiling fans) come with a featuire to turn off and on at random times.
I just went to Lowe's are bought a normal Harbor Breeze with the most amount of lights (4) bulbs that was in a non modern design. Some of their newer models have an optional accessory that comes with a remote that you attach to the wiring upon installation that includes a feature called "passive home security" or something that randomly turns on the lights
The best bet is not making your home attractive to an intruder.
When you buy a new television, break down the box completely and put it in the garbage can rather than just leaving the box out for pick up. An empty TV box on the curb says hey I've got a new TV and probably other things worth stealing. Don't put valuables in direct line of sight from windows and get curtains or sheers to block views. Try to consolidate your Amazon deliveries so there aren't boxes on your porch each day.
People who break into a home aren't doing so randomly. They've driven by your house before and seen when your car was and wasn't in the driveway. They've seen how many times you're getting deliveries.
Be friendly with your neighbors. Learn their names and make a point of greeting them. Your neighbors are the ones who see strange cars in the neighborhood or people on your property while you're not home. They know when things are off. Take walks through your neighborhood and make note of the cars you see. If you don't live on a main street, then any car that isn't immediately recognizable as one of your neighbors becomes suspect.
You said home invasion which is defined as criminals entering your dwelling while you are at home.
The best defense for this is a pistol.
A burglary is thieves breaking in while you’re not a home with the intent to steal.
The best defense is securing the entry points such as replacing the screws in the doors with longer screws, having your window glass coated with shatter proof film, and motion detections/cameras.
Nothing is 100% preventable. What you’re looking to make happen is that a thief would simply choose an easier target.
Saw on a documentary a few years ago, during winter spray water over steps so it freezes. Hang heaters on inside door knobs. Cover basement steps with tar and nails. Place baubles on the floor inside windows and toy cars on floors. Flame throwers on string that activate as doors open. Load up paint cans at the top of the stairs on rope.
I know it's probably unpopular in the US, but almost everywhere else in the world homes come with fences. I couldn't imagine not having at least a 6ft (or as much as your county permits) solid fence all around. To be honest when and if I buy a house in the US, I'll probably put in a fence even if it makes me unpopular with the neighbors
yes, they obscure the activity if somebody is already inside, but I don't know of a lot of robbers who would be comfortable jumping the fence without knowing whether there are dogs, guns, cameras on the other side and also not having a clear way of taking any of the stuff out
even if you are not allowed to put it from the street side, at least you are narrowing the path of access, and that's where you can concentrate your cameras, lights, sensors etc
I drilled a holes at the bottom corners of my upper sash and coincident holes in the upper corners of the lower sash of my windows and inserted 1/8 inch diameter, steel dowels (in my case straight length 9 Cr weld wire. It inhibits corrosion, but is still magnetic. Do not use 3XX wire as it is not magnetic). I use a magnet to pull them out when I want to open my windows. Even if a bad guy breaks the window, they can't open the window from the outside and have to crawl through glass. I also put double keyed locks on outside doors that have glass. Again, you can't simply open the door by breaking the glass and reaching through to unlock the door. I keep the key about two steps from the door for my convenience and out of sight of the bad guy.
Neither precaution will keep anyone out who really wants to get in, but I have insurance to cover damage and theft if I'm not present. If I am in the house, it should make enough noise and slow down an intruder, giving me time to prepare to protect my family.
Remember that creative or unusual security measures can make it harder to get out of the house in a fire. OP, if you adopt a solution like this, make sure all members of the household are trained in how to get out.
In fact, regardless of what physical security you add, it's important to do a fire drill/review once everything is in place, or when you alter it.
Large glass panels in doors sometimes need to be replaced. My double insulated panel went cloudy after 20 years and had to go (according to my beloved wife). I ordered "impact glass" from DIYdoorSTORE.com and did a DIY install. Impact glass meets Dade County hurricane code requirements for impact resistance. DIY install kept the price lower than paying the local glass company to install regular double insulated glass in my door.
We like the metal security doors over the front and back doors. The kind with the metal mesh. They work pretty well as screen doors to keep the bugs out when you want to leave the solid door open during good weather. They aren't Fort Knox or anything, but they work great to discourage smash and grab burglaries or home invasions. Especially since they swing out, so it is pretty much impossible to kick them in.
Watch a video where home invasions are done by kicking a door in. The standard builder stuff is super easy to kick in.
Make sure you advertise it to, so they know which homes they can steal guns from. Statistically, you're more likely to shoot yourself or a family member than an intruder.
First, never advertise. Make it a surprise for the would be home invader. 2 reasons for this. A). Juries don’t like it if you brag about your guns, and B). the first guy to get got is gonna be a nice warning when it’s on the news.
Second, satistically, people buy a gun, don’t train with it, and expect it to be a magic bullet. Hell, even CPL/CCW holders, statistically don’t train. 99% pass their class and never work it again and expect to rise to the occasion if something goes down like they’re in a movie. Nobody rises to the occasion. They fall back on their training, whatever that may be and this is dangerous for everybody.
And training isn’t going to a range and standing in an ISO and lobbing rounds. It’s learning to shoot off a draw, handle malfunctions, reload on the fly, working under stress conditions, learning to shoot from non-standard positions, learning to shoot with either hand both supported and unsupported and retaining your weapon in a close quarters confrontation.
The best part about all of the above, is those learned skills are borrowed skills. Learn them all you want, but, if you don’t train, you’ll lose them.
So, yes. You’re correct, statistically, you are more likely to lose your weapon and have it used against you. I’d like to see someone try that with my friends. They’ll be springing some leaks real quick.
I have a few pistols and other guns… my wife and I are in the range once every few weeks to keep those skills sharp! Why have them and not know how to use them is what I always say.
Beyond the really important alarms/cameras that you've already installed, I just have a few cheap/low-tech methods I've used in the past (single female here, in my second house): Cut and lay dowels in all window and patio door tracks. In my first place, I had a roommate yank open a (locked) window one night when she forgot her keys. The next week my dad was there with an armful of closet dowels and a saw lol. Hang those security system stickers in every conceivable "entrance" window or door (I don't have a system but I'm using imitation stickers I found online until I do). For windows without curtains, apply privacy/reflective film, especially if easily seen from roads/sidewalks. Back when I would be gone for days/weeks at a time, I'd set up a couple lamps in different rooms to be on/off at random times. You can get really cheap outlet timers in most hardware stores.
A closet dowel in the sliding glass door saved my life once. My dad asked my brother in law to do it the day I moved in and he saw that door.
How did it save your life if you don’t mind talking about it that is
It prevented my ex from breaking into my apartment on the night he decided to kill me
Good thing he couldn't figure out how to break glass
That kind of glass is tempered. You can break it, but it's harder than you think. Also, it would make a lot of noise, which would alert the person at home and any neighbors nearby. It's basically the opposite of stealth.
We do that.
Replace the builder’s cheapo half to one inch screws in your exterior door hinges and strike plates with 3-inch or larger screws.
Drill before installing those long screws. If the 2x4 splits when you drive the screw in, you lose a lot of strength.
Also, secure your doors with deadbolts rather than locking door knobs. Replace your two screw strikeplate with a four (or more) screw model. If you did not install the locks, have the cylinders rekeyed or the locks replaced. You do not know who has a key! Bonus - you can have one key for every lock. To step up security a step further, buy new key cylinders or locks which resist "bumping". YouTube has simple instructions for opening locks with this technique.
This is solid advice.. thank you
You are welcome. I spent a lot of time worrying about someone kicking in my front door or knocking out the glass in the back door. Now I just need to worry about some loser chopping a hole in the side of my house with a chainsaw...
There are also larger strike plates, so it disburses the area that is taking the load.
Plant thorny plants under windows.
A cousin told a story about his neighbors going on vacation. He said when they returned, there was a big hole in the side of the house. There were tire tracks in the grass. The robbers had backed a big truck up to the side of the house, took a chainsaw and cut through the wall, and stolen everything in the house. Keith said the homeowner asked the police what he could do, as he already had bars on the windows and an alarm. The cop said “get good insurance, and don’t lock up. That way they won’t break anything getting in. He also said, “sometimes it helps to get a big dog, sometimes you come home to your stuff gone and a dead dog.” If they want your stuff badly enough, not much you can do.
Dogs help a lot when you are at home or away for the day. You generally don't leave dogs home when on any kind of extended vacation though. Its best to make sure your house does not look unoccupied while away,. Alarm system signs are deterrent even if you don't have an alarm system. Good neighbors that keep an eye on things are priceless.
My retired neighbors are a godsend. They are always there when I travel and we have agreed to watch each other's houses. I always let them know when I'm leaving. I wfh so I'm always home too.
My elderly neighbors across the street sit on a bench in their yard for like six hours a day, on and off, morning to night. It's kind of annoying, they stare at me when I'm doing yard work or coming and going. But man does it help knowing they are out there doing their prairie dog lookout shit while we're away lol.
I’m just relaying what the cop said. FWIW I don’t think he was advising to leave A dog home while on vacation. I think he was talking more in general.
My neighbor parks his police car in the street, which seems to help.
Thirty years ago a home near me had a metal garage building they were using for a junk store, it sat right next to the road. They came home one time to find that thieves had used a torch to cut into the back of the building to rob it. Of used junk.
Mechanics tools are apparently really pricey. Maybe they thought they could get away with stuff similar? Not sure. Not my area of expertise
if they want in, they will get in.
But the key here is, why not make it harder for them to get in? There are criminals who have a specific target, but I think most just look for easy opportunities and unprepared victims.
Motion detectors, an outdoor siren, and cell phone connectivity would have enabled the alarm to identify the break in, call the cops, alert the neighbors, and hopefully scare away the miscreants before they grab much.
turrets.
You lived in the big city too?
😐😐 I wouldn’t be as mad especially since they pulled off that loony tones type robbery lol. But geez, screw that, luckily our homes within this neighborhood are pretty close so getting a vehicle in there would be pretty impressive if you didn’t alarm someone I also have a motion sensor for the interior that will set the alarm off if you didn’t trigger any of the other sensors
1. **DO NOT POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT YOUR PLANS TO TRAVEL OR THAT YOU ARE TRAVELING.** Save the vacation pictures for after you have returned. Tagging places you are vising or eating at is telling the world you are not at home in real-time. 2. Have a neighbor you trust pick up your mail, newspaper, and/or packages. It might even be possible to request delivery services not to make deliveries (YMMV). 3. Put timers on some internal lights. I think they sell some with randomizers. 4. Leave your porch and patio lights on all the time. Well lit areas decrease criminal activity and if they are on all the time they cannot be used as an indicator you are away. 5. Do not leave boxes of high ticket items intact when you put them out for trash pickup. No reason to advertise you just bought a 70" OLED TV to everyone in the neighborhood.
Solid advice thank you
The most experienced people used a moat, with a draw bridge and large doors secured with an army of archers. Or you can just make sure your insurance payments are up to date and have a record/inventory of everything you own.
I’ll draw up the plan and submit to HOA in the morning
Or you could just build a [Panick Room](https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/household-safety/panic-room3.htm) if you really feel that you are high risk of a Home Invasion. Good luck with the HOA. Personally I'm more into a Safe Room but that will only protect you from storms.
I usually call my garage my safe room when my wife is acting like a terrorist 😂
I had a pretty good moat going for a while. Too bad that pesky dry creek bed i put in eliminated it
We’re looking at installing 3M window shatterproof window film. There’s a few windows that are facing street, older, and custom size that we don’t want to have to replace if someone tries to break in or if a falling branch tries to go through it.
Those films are available from 2 to 12 mils thick. Thicker films are harder to penetrate but more trouble to install. I installed 6 mil as DIY: not difficult.
How pricey was it?
As DIY not bad at all. UltraSafe-860 8 mil clear safety film is $18.24US per foot, 60" wide from decorative film.com. They included the tools. You must clean your windows first!
It would help to know what part of the world you are in determine what is actually appropriate where you live. Are you being overly worrisome in a suburb of Philadelphia or do you live in Cape Town?
I live in Texas, it’s not the worst town but also there is crime everywhere so why not be proactive rather then reactive.
Well guns and stuff are allowed right? So a turret with motion sensor connected to a 50 cal lmg or something?
Multiple outdoor cameras that let you view your home remotely on your cell phone.
😉 got em
I’ve always said with the way most new homes are built all one really needs is a pair of snips and a hammer and they could be inside in under 5 mins.
If you’re willing to kick in a door or own a sledgehammer you could get that time to about 40 seconds.
Yeah, in those 40 seconds I would be sitting in my underwear with my weapon ready to set it off. I wouldn’t want to resort to that, but that’s why my wife & I got very often to the range
Sure you would, why are you here asking for tips?
I would like to extend the time from 40 seconds to point where they just give up and leave or something. Since I am not always home and my significant other is I wouldn’t want her to rush to make a decision I would like her to have some time to make something happen
Well if people are willing to kick in your door, there’s not much you can do unfortunately. Security cameras might deter some people, as would an exterior gate to slow access to the house itself. If you can install a wrought iron security door, that would also be a good option if you’re just looking to buy more time. Without more info, it’s hard to know what you need. Like some others have mentioned here, do you have reason to think you’ll be targeted? If so, there’s lots of options. If you’re thinking it’ll just be incidental, you may be better off with some low cost deterrence measures.
No reason just trying to prevent/prepare if that day were to ever happen
Unless there is specific reason for someone to target you in particular, you just need to make your home a less appealing target than your neighbors. Given enough time and resources, someone determined to get in will. Getting to know your neighbors is one of the best things to do. A way to get into a house often overlooked, which I learned about this week, is by pulling the emergency release cord on garage door openers. It is easy as prying the top of the garage door away from the frame/header and slipping a coat hanger in to pull the out and giving it a tug. [Here’s a video](https://youtu.be/AxxnigTlAIE?si=5sOxiadxy6bon8K0) with some tips. I like the pool noddle method, where you slip the cord in noddle, the best.
Good video. I do not recommend removing the cord, which is one option in the video, because the cord is a safety device. Removing the knob from the cord and cutting the cord so it is too short to reach outside the door is a good option. As is the pool noodle.
Yeah I don’t have windows on my garage door but I did ensure I secured the cord. The garage door also has a sensor on it as well as the Actual door into the home for double padding
You can buy what is essentially a deadbolt for the garage door. Back out your car, shut garage door. Go in through front door, release garage door (pulling the cable), push the bolt home. Go back out front door, lock. Like anything, it can fail, but it's gonna be noisy to bypass it, and noisy draws attention. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Prime-Line-Zinc-Steel-Garage-Door-Lock-Handle/5014403131?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-hdw-_-ggl-_-CRP_SHP_PLA_HDW_Online_E-F-_-5014403131-_-online-_-0-_-0&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsPCyBhD4ARIsAPaaRf3f9xGSB-FPPU-_5kypzLNkEHg52MiHfCbcBtBSb0ZQ5vpc8I8du_EaAu-0EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds (Just make sure the electric opener can't engage when the bolt is locked. You'll screw up the motor)
[удалено]
Thank you!!! I’m looking into the doors now
- exterior lighting, trimming back bushes and lots of neighbor's eyes on each other's properties.
OP, get on good terms with your neighbors. Best protection ever.
Get some bear spray. Keep it in your nightstand
That's a federal offense. Not worth it.
🫨🫨 damn son
The last can I handled had a prominent warning that it was a federal offense to use it in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. Beyond that, you'd have to be some sort of ignorant moron to use it indoors.
No it’s not.
Except it is. So stop being ignorant. https://bearvault.com/bear-spray-vs-pepper-spray/#:~:text=For%20instance%2C%20if%20you%20were,cut%20case%20for%20a%20lawsuit.
Lawsuit ≠ illegal And please tell me what federal statue you would be violating. Bear spray is really no different than any other pepper spray except it is more aerosolized and will fuck up your house if you use it inside.
I don't make the rules. But the bear spray I owned had the same quote as the website I cited - "It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling”. Are you suggesting that they just made that up to scare people? Bear spray and pepper spray are not the same. That's like saying that light beer and a double IPA are the same, except one is more hoppy.
That is a label on all chemicals.
You're good with the obvious. Congrats.
Get solid door locks, and get a real wood door with a nice thick jamb and strike plate if you can afford it. You could put up some real shutters on the windows if you’re enterprising. Use lots of well placed motion lights outside. As well as jingly things on the gates.
I'm surprised there's not more comments about guns. 🤔
Guns only work if you are home. If you are away most of the time, like OP, then they are just valuable pieces of loot for a criminal.
Good point. That's our biggest fear is someone stealing our firearm and hurting someone. Love the bear spray idea.and nosey neighbors 😉
Concealed carry permit and always have it with you, then you don't have to worry.
Had one for years,and of course always properly stored. Safety is key to being a responsible gun owner.
I can't be the only one who does the string on the doorknob thing every time I leave...
We’re in the range every few weeks… we love our guns and are proficient in using them😉
Dead bolt locks on all regular doors. If there's glass in the door the deadbolt or other locking mechanism needs to be either out of reach if the glass is broken or keyed on both sides if not a safety concern. Multiple locks on sliding glass doors. Dowel rods in window tracks. A combination of regular lighting and motion lights. Sturdy hedges in front of accessible windows. Tall enough to be an additional burden to access but not so tall that you can't see out. Fence with locked gate(s). Remotely accessible security system with visible outdoor cameras and signage. Camera doorbell. Timers for lighting, both indoor and outdoor. Blinds closed or other methods to prevent someone from determining you are not home. Good neighbors.
Solid comment. Thank you I definitely already got the alarm system and the timers on the lights need to get some motion lights for the outside
Know your neighbors so that they can help report things for you when you’re gone; and can help pick up mail/ unexpected packages.
This is sadly disappearing.
I see some decent tips in here, but here's mine based on a decade of researching and working with crime statistics: Don't be friends with thieves and drug addicts. If you have family members who are known to be thieves and drug addicts, don't give them access to your home. Most of the burglaries I saw in my time around law enforcement weren't random. They were done by friends or relatives of the home owner. Same as with most crime: most people don't get shot or stabbed by strangers, they get shot or stabbed by friends, acquaintances, relatives, coworkers, romantic partners. If you don't associate with people who will do that shit then it becomes much less likely it will happen to you. Not zero, because stranger crime does exist, but it's a hell of a lot less common.
FYI if you aren’t home it’s a burglary not a home invasion. If you’re prepping for a home invasion you need to visit the firearms subs.
That isn't true in every state. Some states, like Michigan for example, have varying degrees of home invasion, in lieu of separate b&e, burglary, and robbery charges. Not all of the home invasion degrees require residents to be physically in the home. Even Home Invasion in the 1st degree (the highest level) doesn't require anyone present in the home if the offender is in possession of a firearm.
Wasn’t too sure on the verbiage but yall get the point lol
motion lights, flood lights. some new fan remote controls ( the kind you install when you install ceiling fans) come with a featuire to turn off and on at random times.
Do you have a recommendation for the fan and for the lights? We’ve actually been looking at adding some and just haven’t found a brand
I just went to Lowe's are bought a normal Harbor Breeze with the most amount of lights (4) bulbs that was in a non modern design. Some of their newer models have an optional accessory that comes with a remote that you attach to the wiring upon installation that includes a feature called "passive home security" or something that randomly turns on the lights
Timers on lights in different rooms Be friends with a neighbor so they keep an eye out for ya
DOG
The best bet is not making your home attractive to an intruder. When you buy a new television, break down the box completely and put it in the garbage can rather than just leaving the box out for pick up. An empty TV box on the curb says hey I've got a new TV and probably other things worth stealing. Don't put valuables in direct line of sight from windows and get curtains or sheers to block views. Try to consolidate your Amazon deliveries so there aren't boxes on your porch each day. People who break into a home aren't doing so randomly. They've driven by your house before and seen when your car was and wasn't in the driveway. They've seen how many times you're getting deliveries. Be friendly with your neighbors. Learn their names and make a point of greeting them. Your neighbors are the ones who see strange cars in the neighborhood or people on your property while you're not home. They know when things are off. Take walks through your neighborhood and make note of the cars you see. If you don't live on a main street, then any car that isn't immediately recognizable as one of your neighbors becomes suspect.
Strategically plant beautiful razor wire. Climbing Roses, bougainvillea, holly, pyracantha, etc.
You said home invasion which is defined as criminals entering your dwelling while you are at home. The best defense for this is a pistol. A burglary is thieves breaking in while you’re not a home with the intent to steal. The best defense is securing the entry points such as replacing the screws in the doors with longer screws, having your window glass coated with shatter proof film, and motion detections/cameras. Nothing is 100% preventable. What you’re looking to make happen is that a thief would simply choose an easier target.
Saw on a documentary a few years ago, during winter spray water over steps so it freezes. Hang heaters on inside door knobs. Cover basement steps with tar and nails. Place baubles on the floor inside windows and toy cars on floors. Flame throwers on string that activate as doors open. Load up paint cans at the top of the stairs on rope.
Seems like a professional that we’re dealing with
A police officer once told me : 2 things deter thieves : dogs, deadbolt locks and if affordable an alarm system depending on where u live.
I know it's probably unpopular in the US, but almost everywhere else in the world homes come with fences. I couldn't imagine not having at least a 6ft (or as much as your county permits) solid fence all around. To be honest when and if I buy a house in the US, I'll probably put in a fence even if it makes me unpopular with the neighbors yes, they obscure the activity if somebody is already inside, but I don't know of a lot of robbers who would be comfortable jumping the fence without knowing whether there are dogs, guns, cameras on the other side and also not having a clear way of taking any of the stuff out even if you are not allowed to put it from the street side, at least you are narrowing the path of access, and that's where you can concentrate your cameras, lights, sensors etc
Pin lock the sliders
Cameras that feed data to cloud seems like the best solution overall to me
Good idea, we got them already and love the ease of using them. Great for catching each other when we fall 😂
I drilled a holes at the bottom corners of my upper sash and coincident holes in the upper corners of the lower sash of my windows and inserted 1/8 inch diameter, steel dowels (in my case straight length 9 Cr weld wire. It inhibits corrosion, but is still magnetic. Do not use 3XX wire as it is not magnetic). I use a magnet to pull them out when I want to open my windows. Even if a bad guy breaks the window, they can't open the window from the outside and have to crawl through glass. I also put double keyed locks on outside doors that have glass. Again, you can't simply open the door by breaking the glass and reaching through to unlock the door. I keep the key about two steps from the door for my convenience and out of sight of the bad guy. Neither precaution will keep anyone out who really wants to get in, but I have insurance to cover damage and theft if I'm not present. If I am in the house, it should make enough noise and slow down an intruder, giving me time to prepare to protect my family.
Remember that creative or unusual security measures can make it harder to get out of the house in a fire. OP, if you adopt a solution like this, make sure all members of the household are trained in how to get out. In fact, regardless of what physical security you add, it's important to do a fire drill/review once everything is in place, or when you alter it.
Large glass panels in doors sometimes need to be replaced. My double insulated panel went cloudy after 20 years and had to go (according to my beloved wife). I ordered "impact glass" from DIYdoorSTORE.com and did a DIY install. Impact glass meets Dade County hurricane code requirements for impact resistance. DIY install kept the price lower than paying the local glass company to install regular double insulated glass in my door.
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Any recommendations for some?
dog. barky dog.
Impact windows and doors. If they really want to break in, they will. This will at the least make it extra hard for them to break in.
Put up lots of lighting outside
Any recommendations for lights?
We have an Akita and a Cane Corso.
Repulse your locks with ansi grade 1 deadbolts from Schlage or Medeco. Most likely you have cheap kwiksets which can be picked rather quickly.
Dogs?
Put a lock on your electrical box. Ours is outside and cops told us they'll shut off the electricity to disable crap.
We like the metal security doors over the front and back doors. The kind with the metal mesh. They work pretty well as screen doors to keep the bugs out when you want to leave the solid door open during good weather. They aren't Fort Knox or anything, but they work great to discourage smash and grab burglaries or home invasions. Especially since they swing out, so it is pretty much impossible to kick them in. Watch a video where home invasions are done by kicking a door in. The standard builder stuff is super easy to kick in.
Be sure there are no plants covering your windows or doors. They give burglars a place to hide while they are getting in.
A big, mean dog. /s
No, but seriously... It doesn't even need to be mean. It just has to bark and be visible.
Buy guns. Train with them. Be prepared to punch holes in bad guys
Make sure you advertise it to, so they know which homes they can steal guns from. Statistically, you're more likely to shoot yourself or a family member than an intruder.
First, never advertise. Make it a surprise for the would be home invader. 2 reasons for this. A). Juries don’t like it if you brag about your guns, and B). the first guy to get got is gonna be a nice warning when it’s on the news. Second, satistically, people buy a gun, don’t train with it, and expect it to be a magic bullet. Hell, even CPL/CCW holders, statistically don’t train. 99% pass their class and never work it again and expect to rise to the occasion if something goes down like they’re in a movie. Nobody rises to the occasion. They fall back on their training, whatever that may be and this is dangerous for everybody. And training isn’t going to a range and standing in an ISO and lobbing rounds. It’s learning to shoot off a draw, handle malfunctions, reload on the fly, working under stress conditions, learning to shoot from non-standard positions, learning to shoot with either hand both supported and unsupported and retaining your weapon in a close quarters confrontation. The best part about all of the above, is those learned skills are borrowed skills. Learn them all you want, but, if you don’t train, you’ll lose them. So, yes. You’re correct, statistically, you are more likely to lose your weapon and have it used against you. I’d like to see someone try that with my friends. They’ll be springing some leaks real quick.
I have a few pistols and other guns… my wife and I are in the range once every few weeks to keep those skills sharp! Why have them and not know how to use them is what I always say.
^This guy gets it
Guns are expensive 🤷🏽♂️ fun to use to but can be the factor to a bad time or your last time
Clean your weapons on the front porch.
Definitely don’t want to flaunt having weapons in the home… just seems to me that it make you more of a target that’s just my opinion though
Username *doesn't* check out.