Hunter2011
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Thanks guys. Your advice really gave me some good ideas.
Burglar proofing your home
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Hullraiser
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The most secure and lowest cost door locks I've found are the Kwickset smart lock. They are virtually pick proof and can be re-keyed in seconds by yourself. Purchase locks with different key numbers and re-key locks all to one key. If you loose a key, or suspect one has been taken, simply re-key to one of the other key numbers.
Arkansas Paul
Member
One thing I think most people don't think about is the location of your attic access.
fallout mike and I have put countless security systems in homes where the pull down attic access was located outside the home under the open carport. Either there or in the laundry room that is separate from the main living area.
How easy would it be to simply go there when the resident was gone, pull down the attic ladder and kick a hole in the ceiling and drop down? Piece of cake. Watch that.
fallout mike and I have put countless security systems in homes where the pull down attic access was located outside the home under the open carport. Either there or in the laundry room that is separate from the main living area.
How easy would it be to simply go there when the resident was gone, pull down the attic ladder and kick a hole in the ceiling and drop down? Piece of cake. Watch that.
fallout mike
Member
Nice sturdy bars on windows is a big deterrent as well.
fallout mike
Member
What kind of idiot contractor thinks its a good idea to put the attic access outside?
Burglar proofing?
Not so sure it can be reasonably done.
Burglar resistant?
Window bars, video cameras, monitored alarm system, security doors at all entrances, all these go quite a way in discouraging all but the most able thieves. Add a large, noisy dog for good measure.
Not so sure it can be reasonably done.
Burglar resistant?
Window bars, video cameras, monitored alarm system, security doors at all entrances, all these go quite a way in discouraging all but the most able thieves. Add a large, noisy dog for good measure.
Hullraiser
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I don't recommend window bars for fire safety reasons , plus they're ugly as heck. The metal security storm doors aren't bad looking though.
An attic access in a attached garage should have a alarm contact on the attic side. I've never really seen them on carports. Same thing with cellar doors or old coal chutes. Larger pet doors are another no no. Booby traps are another
An attic access in a attached garage should have a alarm contact on the attic side. I've never really seen them on carports. Same thing with cellar doors or old coal chutes. Larger pet doors are another no no. Booby traps are another
fallout mike
Member
Yea I've put security in many peoples houses that were more concerned with the look rather than functioning.
Blue Thunder
Member
My current home has every window on the terrace and first levels bugged (alarm contact). All door strikes are re-enforced and have 5 inch screws. All doors have deadbolts with keys on both sides, yes this is not correct to code but it is my house and I will lock it like I want to. The alarm system uses a Cellular radio as we have no phone lines in the house. It also texts me in the event of a break in, and I can control it via the internet. I have wireless internet so they can cut the cable TV cable that I don't use. There are two motion detectors in the house which are dual-tech and require heat plus linear motion to set off.
My new home I am building will be pre-wired by a fly by nighted who says door contacts and a couple of motions are all I need. Told him I will have it professionally fixed when I own the home. I have been in the business years ago and know how to design and install a quality system. Securing things in deadbolt locked closets with pinned hinges and solid core doors that open outward can also help secure things. There are many ways to skin this cat and some of them are way better than the run of the mill stuff that is marketed to everyone.
My new home I am building will be pre-wired by a fly by nighted who says door contacts and a couple of motions are all I need. Told him I will have it professionally fixed when I own the home. I have been in the business years ago and know how to design and install a quality system. Securing things in deadbolt locked closets with pinned hinges and solid core doors that open outward can also help secure things. There are many ways to skin this cat and some of them are way better than the run of the mill stuff that is marketed to everyone.
leadcounsel
member
First, the OP lives in a complex in S. Africa no less! So, move to a home with land. Build layers of defense, like an outer fence. Inner fence. Cameras. Dogs. Lights on timers. TV/radio on while you're gone to make noise. Reinforced doors, windows, etc. No dark hiding places.
RetiredUSNChief
Member
You CAN'T make it "highly impossible" for someone to break into your house. You CAN make your house a less attractive target, though.
Got windows? Burglars have bricks.
Got wood doors? Burglars have prybars and jimmys.
The goal is to make your place an unattractive place to break into...and like people, "unattractive" is relative and subjective.
A well lit house and property is unattractive because it makes it harder to conceal criminal activities.
A well groomed lawn is unattractive because it's more difficult to conceal criminal activities.
A house that looks like it may be occupied is unattractive because it looks like the odds of being spotted are higher.
Closed curtains/blinds conceal contents, making it difficult to case a house.
Automated lighting is unattractive because their motion lights things up.
Alarm systems are unattractive because they have the potential to alert neighbors and police.
Pets, indoor or outdoor, specifically dogs, are unattractive because they make noise and may attack.
Lots of things make it either undesirable or difficult to break in and steal things...and the vast majority of them are simple, common sense things.
Hunter2011
Member
Unfortunately I can't afford to move to a nice big house. These tips would have worked. I just bought a new car etc.
Any donations
I put a nice big gun safe in the back of my closet. Very little room to get in to try and pry it open, have to remove the door from the closet to get it through and its on the second floor so I had to rent a heavy duty furniture dolly do get it up there. Its not coming out without making a lot of noise.
justice06rr
Member
Alarm/surveillance system plus a dog would make a good combo.
Dogs can be cheap (adopt or rescue) while alarms and surveillance may not depending on what you get.
Most average burglars can defeat doors and glass windows very easily. If there is a dog barking or if alarms go off, they will most likely leave and discontinue the attempt.
Another thing you can do is to never show off your expensive items like TV's and guns. Keep windows covered and be discreet when bringing your firearms to the car etc.
One more thing I do is to keep burglars guessing--Keep lights on even if you are not home and do not let them know your routine. My vehicles are all garaged so they usually don't know if I've left the house or not, and I don't go in and out at normal times i.e. 8am to go to work/5p to come home. If you have more than one vehicle park it in front so they will think you are home even if you are not.
This may be a little hard for some if you work a M-F 9/5 job though.
Dogs can be cheap (adopt or rescue) while alarms and surveillance may not depending on what you get.
Most average burglars can defeat doors and glass windows very easily. If there is a dog barking or if alarms go off, they will most likely leave and discontinue the attempt.
Another thing you can do is to never show off your expensive items like TV's and guns. Keep windows covered and be discreet when bringing your firearms to the car etc.
One more thing I do is to keep burglars guessing--Keep lights on even if you are not home and do not let them know your routine. My vehicles are all garaged so they usually don't know if I've left the house or not, and I don't go in and out at normal times i.e. 8am to go to work/5p to come home. If you have more than one vehicle park it in front so they will think you are home even if you are not.
This may be a little hard for some if you work a M-F 9/5 job though.
fallout mike
Member
Which dogs are cheap? Seems like mine is always at the vet. And the few dog foods that are actually good for them aren't cheap either. Plus you are making a commitment to take care of a dog for 10-15 years on average. Meanwhile the initial cost of an alarm system is pretty much it.
Each neighborhood, IMO, has its own particular problems. For instance, where I live, the police will NOT respond to an alarm unless there is an eyewitness to a burglary-in-progress. It doesn't mean alarms are useless, but smash-and-grab types know that have several minutes before the alarm company dispatches a car to report what's happening to your home.
What one can do is make your house sound and look occupied regardless if you are there or not. A silent home is an invitation to unwanted guests. Others have already posted about closing your curtains, and if available, have another car parked in the driveway. Myself, I do not drive the same car every day, nor keep the same schedule.
If someone wants in, they'll get in. Most people live in wood-frame homes, not concrete bunkers. However, you don't have to make it easy for them.
Getting strong doors and reinforcing the frames are a start. Use door/jamb reinforcement like Door-jamb Armor. Fill in the gap between the jamb and the frame. Pay special attention to the area adjacent to the deadbolt entry. This makes it more difficult for crow bar attacks. You can also use latch protectors/guards for additional protection.
In my neighborhood, burglars prefer to target back entryways and windows. Those I reinforce the most. You can use reinforcing bars and anti-lift hardware on patio doors and additional window locks. Yeah, they can still bust through your double pane windows, but they're going have to climb through the broken glass. If you're really concern you may have no other choice but to get window bars.
Lastly, while one cannot really rely on neighbors, a local neighborhood watch does help.
What one can do is make your house sound and look occupied regardless if you are there or not. A silent home is an invitation to unwanted guests. Others have already posted about closing your curtains, and if available, have another car parked in the driveway. Myself, I do not drive the same car every day, nor keep the same schedule.
If someone wants in, they'll get in. Most people live in wood-frame homes, not concrete bunkers. However, you don't have to make it easy for them.
Getting strong doors and reinforcing the frames are a start. Use door/jamb reinforcement like Door-jamb Armor. Fill in the gap between the jamb and the frame. Pay special attention to the area adjacent to the deadbolt entry. This makes it more difficult for crow bar attacks. You can also use latch protectors/guards for additional protection.
In my neighborhood, burglars prefer to target back entryways and windows. Those I reinforce the most. You can use reinforcing bars and anti-lift hardware on patio doors and additional window locks. Yeah, they can still bust through your double pane windows, but they're going have to climb through the broken glass. If you're really concern you may have no other choice but to get window bars.
Lastly, while one cannot really rely on neighbors, a local neighborhood watch does help.
justice06rr
Member
Initial cost of the dog is cheap. What comes after varies.
I cannot tell you how to raise yours. FYI in many 3rd world countries its perfectly ok to leave your dog outside 24/7 in your patio or a doghouse, unlike in the USA. Yes i've lived in those places for decades. I don't know how many times my dog got sick or died. We just got another one. The US is spoiled when it comes to dogs.
Alarm systems are great, but can still be defeated in the right conditions. Burglar breaks your window, opens the door, then grabs your 50" flatscreen in the living room and is gone in less than 60seconds.
Hullraiser
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I once figured up a FREE dog would cost you around $20k during its lifespan.
My alarm system has doors& windows contacted, glass break sensors, motion detection & radio transmission. Noway anyone's getting in without setting it off. Cameras all around the house & barn are recorded 24/7 with remote viewing.
In addition to that I'm a light sleeper with a hair trigger.
My alarm system has doors& windows contacted, glass break sensors, motion detection & radio transmission. Noway anyone's getting in without setting it off. Cameras all around the house & barn are recorded 24/7 with remote viewing.
In addition to that I'm a light sleeper with a hair trigger.
Tom609
Member
^^ I have to agree regarding the alarm. I have the same setup (wireless) and have had police at my door in less than 8 minutes when I've accidentally tripped it. They may get my TV, but the real valuables would take much longer to find and get into. Plus, I notice neighbors that don't have clue and look more attractive.
Most of the above are the things needed when the burglar has already decided to come by and clean you out.
They don't address how you were advertising - your lifestyle - which attracted them in the first place.
New boxes for high end electronics in the trash. Open garage doors on weekends displaying large tool boxes, gun safes, etc. Not good to have that stuff easily visible thru large windows, either.
What I'm addressing is the kind of ostentatious spending and display of wealth that burglars are looking for. If it attracts them in the first place, fail. It's not any different than the young woman who dresses revealingly and is then assaulted - shouldn't happen - then again, you shouldn't get burgled, either, right?
If they don't know you own it, they don't know they can steal it.
Case in point, young man with an extensive collection of militaria, who had twin dobermans inside the chain link fence arranged to go on vacation. During his absence the burglar entered the home - because he had been feeding the dogs over the fence and became non threatening. He literally spent hours in the house shopping from room to room and was able to stuff thousands of dollars worth into their vehicle with no nosy neighbor even awake to bother checking.
And, how did they even know? They were in the house two months prior as a "new friend" of an acquaintance of the homeowner. They got a free pass to case the house and security, plus an extensive view of contents. They even got to handle the goods as the proud homeowner displayed things.
If they don't know you have it, they won't steal it. Goes to - why was the item purchased? We sometimes buy things because they display our social status, not because we find them particularly useful. And, if they are a token of status, then for them to be appreciated, you have to show them off.
Which means your friends will be bringing people in you both barely know, by disguise from their expertise blending into your society. Which is exactly how the better grade burglars make their living, and why you hear about it after they have cleaned out the naive.
You could live in a concrete bunker with anti aircraft guns inside, open the door and let anyone in, and your security is immediately compromised. Burglars steal from people they think deserve it.
They don't address how you were advertising - your lifestyle - which attracted them in the first place.
New boxes for high end electronics in the trash. Open garage doors on weekends displaying large tool boxes, gun safes, etc. Not good to have that stuff easily visible thru large windows, either.
What I'm addressing is the kind of ostentatious spending and display of wealth that burglars are looking for. If it attracts them in the first place, fail. It's not any different than the young woman who dresses revealingly and is then assaulted - shouldn't happen - then again, you shouldn't get burgled, either, right?
If they don't know you own it, they don't know they can steal it.
Case in point, young man with an extensive collection of militaria, who had twin dobermans inside the chain link fence arranged to go on vacation. During his absence the burglar entered the home - because he had been feeding the dogs over the fence and became non threatening. He literally spent hours in the house shopping from room to room and was able to stuff thousands of dollars worth into their vehicle with no nosy neighbor even awake to bother checking.
And, how did they even know? They were in the house two months prior as a "new friend" of an acquaintance of the homeowner. They got a free pass to case the house and security, plus an extensive view of contents. They even got to handle the goods as the proud homeowner displayed things.
If they don't know you have it, they won't steal it. Goes to - why was the item purchased? We sometimes buy things because they display our social status, not because we find them particularly useful. And, if they are a token of status, then for them to be appreciated, you have to show them off.
Which means your friends will be bringing people in you both barely know, by disguise from their expertise blending into your society. Which is exactly how the better grade burglars make their living, and why you hear about it after they have cleaned out the naive.
You could live in a concrete bunker with anti aircraft guns inside, open the door and let anyone in, and your security is immediately compromised. Burglars steal from people they think deserve it.
Sebastian the Ibis
Member
This. Limit the amount of strangers in your home, and keep track of who comes in.
I'd like to see current statistics, one I read years ago showed that the police tracked the burglaries that they solved, in 85% of the cases the thief was in the house being shown everything they wanted to know - how to get in, where the stuff was, and what pets, children, or other obstacles might be in place. All in the six weeks prior to the burglary.
Usually posing as a friend of one of your good friends. Somebody he is trying to impress - with your belongings.
We like our friends, but when it comes to things like this, we need to question their motives. Thus the rule some have that they only display their firearms at a range - where it can't be helped anyway. It does prevent giving away the entire point of secure storage at home. If it's secure, it's out of sight.
Exactly why we no longer use glass display cases for guns, or a window mounted gun rack in our truck. Those were the days - and they were stolen then, too.
The next time someone attends a "gun museum," look closer at what they do - typically a controlled entrance, hardened doors and locks, no windows, alarm system, and the room in usually in the interior with controlled rooms around it.
Goes to, many build a safe room for their own shelter against violent weather (or neighbors) and then use it as the repository for their firearms, supplies, etc. If you offer your house to the neighbors in bad weather (we do, only basement on the block,) then that isn't where you put guns - at least visibly.
They have no need to know, and for most, they wouldn't know enough to be impressed anyway.
Usually posing as a friend of one of your good friends. Somebody he is trying to impress - with your belongings.
We like our friends, but when it comes to things like this, we need to question their motives. Thus the rule some have that they only display their firearms at a range - where it can't be helped anyway. It does prevent giving away the entire point of secure storage at home. If it's secure, it's out of sight.
Exactly why we no longer use glass display cases for guns, or a window mounted gun rack in our truck. Those were the days - and they were stolen then, too.
The next time someone attends a "gun museum," look closer at what they do - typically a controlled entrance, hardened doors and locks, no windows, alarm system, and the room in usually in the interior with controlled rooms around it.
Goes to, many build a safe room for their own shelter against violent weather (or neighbors) and then use it as the repository for their firearms, supplies, etc. If you offer your house to the neighbors in bad weather (we do, only basement on the block,) then that isn't where you put guns - at least visibly.
They have no need to know, and for most, they wouldn't know enough to be impressed anyway.
Arkansas Paul
Member
I think you have that bass ackwards. Sounds more like dogs are spoiled when it comes to the US.
Potatohead
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