Bought My First Home...Seeking Some Security Ideas

[Chuck1986]

I recently bought my first home and I've fallen in love with it exponentially more than I did with my first car. Pretty crazy huh? It's in a very nice neighborhood but there are still occasional break-ins cuz thieves know this is an affluent community with lots of valuables in the homes. I'd appreciate some ideas on how to keep out unwanted guests. Here are all the portals of entry:
1 entry door (with an extra security door in front of it, as pictured here)
2 sliding glass doors
4 sliding glass windows

Here's what I already have in my security arsenal:
Ruger LC9 - most important feature haha
Wooden dowels on sliding door/window tracks to keep them from opening
Brinks security decals - I don't actually have the alarm system but I figure this is a nice deterrent
Locks on every door/window, with a deadbolt on entry door
Extra barrel bolt lock on entry door - only problem with this is it can't be locked from outside

Here's what I don't want to get:
Guard dog - as much as I want a pitbull the home owner's association outlaws them.
Security system - costs too much $ each month and it doesn't actually prevent entry.

Any advice appreciated! I'm sure some people here have experience with home break-ins, it would be great to hear your tips. It's better to be proactive now rather than later.

 

[DrDusty86]

Don't forget to add a Remington 870 12 or 20 gauge to the list. CHEAP AND DEAD RELIABLE... I would say get the 20 if you have a wife, so that she can shoot it. a pump shotgun is a FEARED weapon by home intruders.
Dusty

 

[HTSS_TR]

Brinks security decals is a good deterrent, the would be thieve will go the other house without security protection.

 

[bdcardinal]

Nothing scares a would-be home invader more than a pump action 12ga racking a round in the chamber.

 

[Carbon]

Get motion sensor outdoor lights.

Install bump-resistant locks.

Some glass doors can be lifted out of the tracks. Look at those glass doors as a weak point.

If those outer security doors are common in your neighborhood, infer there have been a fair number of break-ins.

Get some timer lights. Keep a radio or TV going.

Ask your local police for suggestions.

 

[Cristobal]

Your main concern will be when you are NOT at home. Have a system where the neighbor watches the place. Get a timer or computer setting to turn lights/music on/off at odd intervals.

 

[ArrestMeRedZ]

+1. Your odds of being robbed are about 3 orders of magnitude higher it will happen when you aren't there.

1. Any dog. You don't need a pit bull or a Rottie (I'm assuming the HOA restricts menacing breeds, not all dogs). Barking dogs draw attention that thiefs don't want.

2. Start a neighborhood watch. Nothing will thrill the retired neighbor more than calling 911 on someone breaking into your house.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: Chuck1986
Security system - costs too much $ each month and it doesn't actually prevent entry.


I assume you're aware that a monitored security system reduces your homeowners insurance by as much as 20% a year?

And I assume you're aware that there are inexpensive monitoring solutions that are only $10-$20/month.

I also assume you're aware that security systems can do more than monitor for intrusion-they can also monitor for fire, water and temperature problems.

The homeowners insurance discount on our security systems at both our main house and lake home more than covered the monthly monitoring fee. I'd be very surprised if someone decided to break in-with the plainly visible window,door and motion sensors coupled with an interior siren that makes it impossible to be in either house when it goes off I'm pretty comfortable that neither home will ever be broken into.

The couple of times I've accidently set the system off (when I've removed a motion sensor for painting) I had a call within a minute-a pretty decent response time.

 

[The_Jeff]

You can make your own security system with a computer that txts your cell phone when it sees an issue. No monthly fee.

Get a $500 car for the driveway so it always looks like there's someone home. Keep the tags up to date (tell the DMV you "lost" your year decal for your DD) and move it around to different spots, to fool the HOA and thieves too.

If you come across as paranoid and unfriendly, crooks can smell fear. Beware the emo kid with rich parents who's already in the HOA... they aren't the end all to be all for screening.

 

[Chuck1986]

Thanks for all the suggestions thus far!

Yes, my main concern is when I am NOT home. Worst case scenario is I will have plenty of time to retrieve my Ruger LC9 out of the nightstand while someone is trying to break open locked windows/doors.

Pop_Rivit: I realize the benefits of a home security system, however, in the time it takes a burglar to snatch some valuables the cops will probably have just received the call from the security company. IMHO deterrence is the main benefit they provide, which can be easily obtained by sticking security stickers on my windows and doors.

 

[Brons2]

Originally Posted By: Chuck1986

Guard dog - as much as I want a pitbull the home owner's association outlaws them.


What tripe. American Pit Bull Terriers are a dog with a human problem and not vice versa. Any dog can become aggressive if it is not properly trained and socialized.

I volunteer at the animal shelter here and I have worked with literally thousands of pit bulls and pit bull mixes. There are a lot of nice ones that are neither human nor dog aggressive.

 

[ahoier]

A "redneck" trick I've heard of, is installing multiple "dead bolts" on your door....

Say, 5 dead bolts or so, and then based on a game of rock paper scissors, or "eenie meening miney mo" determine which of the dead bolts to keep locked, and which to keep "open" (unlocked).

The whole idea is if a would by thief/lockpick were to attempt to pick the lock, the chances are very high they may "unlock" a bolt that is already unlocked, or even better, "lock" one that they thought would be unlocked

Then again, they could always just throw a rock at a window...


To that I'd propose the following:


Window locks - I don't know exactly how to explain them, but they are mounted "within" the track of your window, so that the window can only be opened so far (however high you set it). The whole idea is to get it screwed in as tight as possible

Window Film/Tint - Will cut your energy costs in almost half, as well as keep unwanted eyes from peering in. You don't even necessarily need it to be dark (I'm not talking 5%, or even 20% "automotive" tint...lol) - but I know WM and Home Depot sells "Window Film" it's primarily used to dim a room (particularly a bedroom window that gets the bright sun shining in the A.M. - waking you up) - but it'll also make it that much more of a pain in the [censored] to break the class. For one, once they break it, yes it'll shatter, but will be almost held in place by the window film....

BTW, I +1 the idea of keeping a car outside in the drive way, makes it look like there's always someone home.

 

[Cujet]

I know you don't want to hear this. But the only thing that actually works is barbed wire. People will willingly climb fences, hop over walls, go through pipes, climb over poison ivy, scale cactus and so on. However, they rarely will go over 3 courses of well installed barbed wire.

I had so much trouble at my current house. The criminals would actually scout out my house, approach where the video cameras can't see, cut the wires and come back later. Nothing stops a determined criminal except barbed wire. They don't want to get tangled up in it. Plus it delays a rapid escape.

My recorder actually caught the criminals on the road, scouting out my house (well hidden camera)! They co-ordinated quite well. The interesting thing is that the police could not recognize any of them and the video was useless.

I actually escorted a number of criminals off my property (yes, I was properly configured). No, the police won't do anything if you did not catch them inside the home. They claim they are just "cutting through" the yard.

I'm not down on the police. They are limited by the reality of the situation.

A good fence and barbed wire stopped my problems.

 

[Stewart Fan]

Being that you own a handgun,if you aren't already,I'd become very familiar with the laws regarding shooting in self defense.

 

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted By: Carbon

Some glass doors can be lifted out of the tracks. Look at those glass doors as a weak point.


This is the most neglected security loop hole IMO. A lot of thieves get inside this way.

 

[Chuck1986]

Originally Posted By: Cujet
I know you don't want to hear this. But the only thing that actually works is barbed wire. People will willingly climb fences, hop over walls, go through pipes, climb over poison ivy, scale cactus and so on. However, they rarely will go over 3 courses of well installed barbed wire.

I had so much trouble at my current house. The criminals would actually scout out my house, approach where the video cameras can't see, cut the wires and come back later. Nothing stops a determined criminal except barbed wire. They don't want to get tangled up in it. Plus it delays a rapid escape.

My recorder actually caught the criminals on the road, scouting out my house (well hidden camera)! They co-ordinated quite well. The interesting thing is that the police could not recognize any of them and the video was useless.

I actually escorted a number of criminals off my property (yes, I was properly configured). No, the police won't do anything if you did not catch them inside the home. They claim they are just "cutting through" the yard.

I'm not down on the police. They are limited by the reality of the situation.

A good fence and barbed wire stopped my problems.


Ya know, I was honestly thinking about barbed wire. Problem with it is that it would draw some serious attention to my home and make people wonder "why does that guy need barbed wire? What could he possibly be trying to protect?" I'm sure the HOA would throw a fit over it too. Heck they don't even allow clothes lines.

 

[Hollow]

Adopt a German Shepherd or a Lab, love it and treat it well. Big, loud, and loyal animals.

Friendly to people they know, loud at people they do not, dangerous to people they see as a threat.

Find out how the dog reacts to your emotions and adapt to that if you have to. I.e- we had a G.S dog, a female that weighed in at 105 lbs (biiiig puppy). She was a bit of a "bark while retreating" type, she looked to us as protection in almost every situation. If we (her family/pack) were showing confidence or anger, she would bark while retreating. If we showed fear, she would put herself between her human and whatever else while growling, baring fangs, hackles raised, and exuding "One of us will die before you can pass me."

 

[rjundi]

Good relations with your neighbors.

I am lucky with respect to this and most work part time or from home.

 

[65cuda]

Actually a dog in the house would be a good security addition.Doesn't even have to be a big one. Most criiminals will think twice if a dog starts barking because they know it will wake up anybody that is in there. If nobody is in there even a big dog can be taken care of if they want to, although my parents had a GS and later a chow for protection. Getting past them could be a chore if you weren't prepared. The chow was solid black so at night he wouldn't bark until he was on top of you.

 

[JHZR2]

The biggest issue is when you're not home or on vacation. Car could be in the driveway, but there would be no dogs, etc.

They know to cut the cable and phone lines to your home.

Cellphone alarm service is an idea...