So, after reading a lot of threads on home defense I noted that there are a lot of members here that take measures to insure the safety of their household only in proportion to the perceived safety (or danger) of their neighborhood.
What I mean by this is that people who live in neighborhoods that are supposed to be safe take relatively little and limited precautions because their neighborhood is supposed to be safe. I feel that although it is less likely to be targeted by criminals in a "safe" neighborhood, that does not mean that bad and even terrible things can't happen to you and your own. I am not trying to alarm anyone here, but I think that people everywhere, regardless of the environment, should take certain safety mesures to reduce the likelyhood of a violent attack in your home. After all, your home is the one and only place that you have complete control over, and you should take advantage of it. In the end, all it takes to turn a perfectly safe community into a danger area is to have one or two deranged human beings stray on to your streets.
I personally beleive that members here give too much importance on having a loaded firearm on the night table (or under the pillow)as the one and only safety measure against a home invasion. Having an efective human neutralizing instrument is important, don't get me wrong, however there are other things you can do that are equally or more effective in deterring criminal activity.
A prime example is a dog. If you can, get a dog. A smart one.The bigger the better I would think. German Shepherds are great. A house with a big mean looking dog is less likely to be broken in to. However, even a small dog will alert you to any strange activity around your place of residence, granting you precious seconds to get ready and safe. The main purpose of a dog is to prevent strangers from slipping into your house unnoticed, not to neutralize an active threat. That's what 00 Buck is for. Another example is a good alarm system. Preferably an alarm system monitored by a security company. Even if it is not monitored by a security company, a good and properly set up alarm system will make it quite dificult for any one not experienced in disabling such units, to enter your house with out raising hell. As for the people who say they don't need dogs or alarm systems because the are "light sleepers" and are awake at the sound of a pin falling, well, they are most likely only fooling themselves.
Good locks on exterior doors and windows are a must too. Something that will require force, time and noise to overcome if you don't have a key. And keep your doors closed and locked when you don't expect to use them in the immediate future, even on bright sun shiny days.
Bars on windows are efective too. Now, bars on windows are controvertial because of the fire hazard, but you don't need to put bars on every single window. Use well made, sturdy bars on windows that are not likely to be used as a fire escape. Put them on windows that are small and out of view such as basement windows or rear windows that are hidden from view from the street and neighbors. Also, they may be put on select windows that are routinely left open for ventilation, such as kitchen windows. Chances are that if a crook is looking for a window to make entry through he/she will choose the smallest most concealed window that is available. Make these windows unavailable for entry.
Illumination won't physically stop any one, but bad people tend to shy away from the spotlight if you know what I mean. A well illuminated exterior will make a hoodlum(sp?) feel self conscious. He won't feel sneaky, he will feel observed and will less likely loiter around a bright area as opposed to a dark, shady area.
Keep your bedroom door locked when you go to sleep at night. Even if your bedroom door is a flimsy weak door, it is better to have it locked than to give an invader an inviting open door to your place of sleep. Anything that slows him down and has him raise a ruckus to get through is better than nothing.
As for the so popular super home defense tactical slinged, sidesaddled, surefire mounting, reduced recoiling, night sighted, extended magazine capacity shotgun/ carbine/ pistol, think of that as the last, last option. Try investing a little more on other items that will keep the invader(s) out altogether.
I am by no means an expert, I'm just sharing my personal opinions and views. As a victim of a home invasion (no family members harmed, thank God) I am particularly sensitive to the subject and am sharing some things my family has done to make our home a little bit safer. I look forward to any comments, opinions and suggestions from the rest of you
What I mean by this is that people who live in neighborhoods that are supposed to be safe take relatively little and limited precautions because their neighborhood is supposed to be safe. I feel that although it is less likely to be targeted by criminals in a "safe" neighborhood, that does not mean that bad and even terrible things can't happen to you and your own. I am not trying to alarm anyone here, but I think that people everywhere, regardless of the environment, should take certain safety mesures to reduce the likelyhood of a violent attack in your home. After all, your home is the one and only place that you have complete control over, and you should take advantage of it. In the end, all it takes to turn a perfectly safe community into a danger area is to have one or two deranged human beings stray on to your streets.
I personally beleive that members here give too much importance on having a loaded firearm on the night table (or under the pillow)as the one and only safety measure against a home invasion. Having an efective human neutralizing instrument is important, don't get me wrong, however there are other things you can do that are equally or more effective in deterring criminal activity.
A prime example is a dog. If you can, get a dog. A smart one.The bigger the better I would think. German Shepherds are great. A house with a big mean looking dog is less likely to be broken in to. However, even a small dog will alert you to any strange activity around your place of residence, granting you precious seconds to get ready and safe. The main purpose of a dog is to prevent strangers from slipping into your house unnoticed, not to neutralize an active threat. That's what 00 Buck is for. Another example is a good alarm system. Preferably an alarm system monitored by a security company. Even if it is not monitored by a security company, a good and properly set up alarm system will make it quite dificult for any one not experienced in disabling such units, to enter your house with out raising hell. As for the people who say they don't need dogs or alarm systems because the are "light sleepers" and are awake at the sound of a pin falling, well, they are most likely only fooling themselves.
Good locks on exterior doors and windows are a must too. Something that will require force, time and noise to overcome if you don't have a key. And keep your doors closed and locked when you don't expect to use them in the immediate future, even on bright sun shiny days.
Bars on windows are efective too. Now, bars on windows are controvertial because of the fire hazard, but you don't need to put bars on every single window. Use well made, sturdy bars on windows that are not likely to be used as a fire escape. Put them on windows that are small and out of view such as basement windows or rear windows that are hidden from view from the street and neighbors. Also, they may be put on select windows that are routinely left open for ventilation, such as kitchen windows. Chances are that if a crook is looking for a window to make entry through he/she will choose the smallest most concealed window that is available. Make these windows unavailable for entry.
Illumination won't physically stop any one, but bad people tend to shy away from the spotlight if you know what I mean. A well illuminated exterior will make a hoodlum(sp?) feel self conscious. He won't feel sneaky, he will feel observed and will less likely loiter around a bright area as opposed to a dark, shady area.
Keep your bedroom door locked when you go to sleep at night. Even if your bedroom door is a flimsy weak door, it is better to have it locked than to give an invader an inviting open door to your place of sleep. Anything that slows him down and has him raise a ruckus to get through is better than nothing.
As for the so popular super home defense tactical slinged, sidesaddled, surefire mounting, reduced recoiling, night sighted, extended magazine capacity shotgun/ carbine/ pistol, think of that as the last, last option. Try investing a little more on other items that will keep the invader(s) out altogether.
I am by no means an expert, I'm just sharing my personal opinions and views. As a victim of a home invasion (no family members harmed, thank God) I am particularly sensitive to the subject and am sharing some things my family has done to make our home a little bit safer. I look forward to any comments, opinions and suggestions from the rest of you
