With the rash of burglaries in a few subdivisions close to me over the last few months, I've decided to take a few security improvement steps. I installed motion detection lights and security cameras at front door and both door walls. I've also heard that basement windows are a favorite access point,so I just got done installing a angle iron barrier in the only basement window that is not glass block. The last two things on my list is a biometric lock on the door coming in from the attached garage and a cell auto dialer for the alarm system so it will alert me when tripped. The police in my area charge after the second false run, and I have to have my cell on 24/7 anyway. All tools in the garage are under lock and key, which is a pain in the a** sometimes.So my question, am I missing anything. Firearms are locked and loaded but not much good when away from home. Any suggestions would be appreciated. With a unemployment rate locally of 15.2% I don't see this situation improving anytime soon.
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Mike
"It's not the things you don't know that will hurt you, it's the things you think you know that ain't so." - Mark Twain -
Perhaps a big loud dog? Or at least a sign "beware of dog" ?
Conwaygolfer -
With those precautions needed, and unemployment at 15.2% perhaps the most obvious, or at least the most popular there... Move?
Failing that, how well do you know your neighbors? There are a lot of stay home moms, and this time of year, kids in our neck of the woods. Maybe make nice so they will also keep an eye on your place at least during the day/evening.Comment
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1. Google for DIY CO2 Laser
2. Build said laser
3. Head here, and build this http://www.google.com/search?q=DIY+G...ient=firefox-a
stick your laser in your auto-turret, post a sign, and let them come...
then, just like you can do for swans, leave a couple dead ones lying on your lawn and I doubt anyone ( except the authorities) will ever bother you againIt's Like I've always said, it's amazing what an agnostic can't do if he dosent know whether he believes in anything or not
Monty Python's Flying Circus
Dan in Harrisburg, NCComment
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This is what I have...works real good!!
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Leave a few skulls laying around your yard. Should be effective...Comment
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Posting a sign from your alarm company is said to be pretty effective. Apparently burglars are inclined to choose a house without such a sign instead of yours.JRComment
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One blessing about LOML being unemployed is that there is almost always somebody at my house nowadays. While her aim isn't perfect, she can break clays right there with me on the skeet range. I'm sure she can hit a moving target...
I need one of those signs that says to heck with the dog, beware of the owner...
BIL's had some trouble at one of his business properties, but that is up in the 3rd ward, which is a pretty poor area of town and prone to crime / drugs anyway...
Not 100% certain, but I think Texas, and the Houston metro area in particular are doing better than a lot of the country. Then again I think the South is weathering this better than the norther tier of states. Not too many big banks or car manufacturers here...Please like and subscribe to my YouTube channel. Please check out and subscribe to my Workshop Blog.Comment
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It is unlikely that a thief will care what type of lock you have, they're going to break a window or kick the door down. If your door frames are weak look for ways to reenforce them. Put in good quality deadbolts, with steel reinforced catches using 3-4" long screws that go through the door frame and into the studs. Use similar screws on the hinges, replace two screws on each hinge with a 3" screw that goes into the studs.
If you have an alarm system make sure you have glass break sensors. I'm a big fan of alarm monitoring, my local cops treat calls from the monitoring center as high priority. I'm sure they don't like false alarms, but they do enjoy the opportunity to roll code at high speed.
Dogs may not deter determined criminals. There used to be a show on Discovery where they would break into houses and then teach the owners how to be more secure. Those guys were never afraid of dogs, sometimes they would take the dogs with them.Comment
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Sure glad I live where we do. The only time we lock our doors is if we are going out of town.Comment
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I can't add much to the security solutions, but be careful about totally securing windows & doors, especially in living areas. The windows also serve as emergency escape and rescue openings. In a condo project the new owners of one of the units was wanting us to put deadbolts on their rooftop doors. The doors are glazed, so they wanted the deadbolt type that is keyed from both sides. I would not authorize installation of that type of lock, as someone could get trapped too easily.
Every once in a while I see a death reported in the news because someone locked themselves into their house too tight. It's not a common thing, but it does deserve consideration.ErikComment
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One other thing to add to this - Make a list of what you have and the serial numbers of your tools. Keep this in a safe place away from your shop.
I know this does not protect your tools from theft but if something happens you have a record of your tools for the police and insurance. Another thing to check is your insurance for your coverage of tools. You want to make sure you can replace them if something does happen (this could include theft, fire, tornado etc).Comment
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Not sure about this, but I think dogs would have to be properly (and expensively) trained as guard dogs to do any good against a professional burglar. However, Mike seems to be more concerned about the amateur burglar who could probably feel pretty intimidated by a pair of barking German Shepherds. Like the alarm company sign in the front yard, the aim is not to keep them from breaking and entering, the aim is to keep them from breaking and entering your house.- Chris.Comment
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Get a dog and teach it to bark at strangers. I taught both of my Springers like this from puppy on up and it gets someones attention rather fast. The minute the dogs saw someone they didn't know, they would bark a few times and take an agressive stance. I can't remember a single adult being dumb enough to continue into the yard. Neither one will bark at the neighbors they knew..
I did have a few fun incidents though -
My male springer tree'd an annoying neighbors kid the one time though. He didn't come in the yard after that happened. He tried to stalk my dog while he was "sleeping" under a tree. The dog knew he was there and waited until he was within 20' to stand up and the kid panicked. Kid went up a tree and the dog sat under it so he couldn't come down.
Other neighbor had custody of their granddaughter. She was around 7 and didn't listen when he told her to let the dog alone. She always called him when he was out and if he went over she would go inside. My dog always used to walk over and greet the grandparents when they were out. The one day she called my dog and he walked over. She got cold feet at the last minute and tried to run from him. He caught up to her and knocked her down and she had a complete fit. Her grandfather was sitting there laughing his butt off.
The same dog almost gave a door to door salesman a heart attack. The guy knocked on the screen door and he liked to jump up to see who it was. He hit the latch and ended up outside with the salesman. He didn't even try to sell anything and left. I think he was going to find clean shorts...Comment
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