What have you done in your home to give you a tactical advantage?

[Mudinyeri]

My point, and I think leadcounsel's point, is to distinguish what falls into what category and to treat everything appropriately.

By the way, I don't see anything in Post #1 that I think would be unwise to disclose, but a policeman or a security expert may have some advice on that.

Perhaps erroneously, I read leadcounsel's comment as suggesting that we were revealing "secrets" in this thread that would lead to our own demise. If that was not his intent, then I'll mark it down to the rather inadequate communication medium of the Internet forum. If it was his intent, then I would agree with you, Kleanbore, that I don't see where anything that we've discussed here will lead criminals into our homes where they might not otherwise have come nor will it give criminals a laundry list to check before, in a likely drug-induced haze, they attempt to break into and enter our homes.

On the other hand, someone might read something here that will help them in the event of a break-in or other home disaster like (a much more likely) fire or storm.

For instance, most people have fire/smoke alarms in every room of the house but how many have fire extinguishers?

How many know what a fatal funnel is and how to maximize one within your home?

 

[NoAlibi]

Unless someone is specifically after you or something you own, then an obviously hardened target will likely cause the perp to look for easier pickins.

There should also be some not so obvious "niceties" awaiting the uninvited guest(s) in the event they are not put off by your other preparations.

For example: There is a hallway leading to our bedroom door. In the hallway we have a battery operated motion detector (Driveway Alert - available for $14.95 at Harbor Freight for 5 more days - add the 20% off coupon from your American Rifleman or Hunter magazines and you're in for less than $12.00) and a light that stays on even if there is a power failure. The solid core bedroom door has a single key-way deadbolt lock and the battery powered receiver for the motion detector is sitting on the bureau. The alarm and the door should slow a perp down long enough for me to slip on a vest, put on a helmet, pick up my gun and call 911.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

The solid core bedroom door has a single key-way deadbolt lock

+1, it's much easier to secure one room than a whole house. Also you can chose where to place the door, so that any intruder(s) are lined up for their lead injections. Loudly kicking on a door at the end of a narrow hallway when the guy on the other side has had a minute (from the time the exterior door was smashed) to shake of the sleep and grab a weapon is not a good place to be.

Also, its easier to defend shooting someone in your hallway trying to break into your bedroom, than shooting someone in your backyard. The guy has already broken in, he is committing a violent felony. No jury in the land would convict you, even in non-castle doctrine states. Dead guys on your back porch are not so clear cut.

However, moving to a better neighborhood can help you avoid most problems, and moving into condo eliminates most entry issues.

 

[SSN Vet]

No loaded guns because of young kids (and their friends)

The Gun Vault is your friend.

I have one bolted to my (heavy) night stand and one bolted to a timber post in the middle of the main living area down stairs.

I can open either and draw a loaded side arm in <3 sec.

Flash lights in stationary mounted holders on both floors.

Keep doors locked most all of the time

 

[Barr]

My plan, I have a gun and the perp doesn't. Lock your doors using a deadbolt and drawbolt/safety chain. Only invite people to your house that you trust. Keep the nicest valuables locked up and not out for all to see.

 

[Fleetwood_Captain]

I keep a yard stocked with only the finest wild attack rabbits.

Any intruder would need the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch to reach the front door.

 

[mustang_steve]

There's only two ways in...one I can stop a target in seconds from waking up at (while they are too occupied with getting over the ledge to do much)...the other side is hell to get through...it's take an outright beast of a man, and even then would take long enough for me to position and stop at will. Heck, this place is so nasty to enter, I had to dismantle my couch and re-assemble it inside (the couch was NOT meant to be taken apart).

The place is for the most part as secure as a second story dwelling can get.

 

[Erik M]

motion lights
had the utilities company install a high output floodlight that lights the back side of the residence
upgraded dead bolts and door handles with heavier models
heavy steel storm doors on both entry doors.

 

[killchain]

I live in a second-story apartment with one route of ingress/egress... unless the goblin climbs the balcony. All lines, however, conjoin in one hall that faces my bedroom door. Once they've made it past my living room, they are in a fatal funnel.

I keep a pistol within reach at all times and one room away is an AR-15 with a magazine in the safe, and six more in a FLC ready to rock. Also, I have a Lv. 3a bullet proof vest if I need it.

I don't use frangible ammunition or anything like that. I hit what I shoot at.

 

[lloveless]

To my way of thinking a dog that is well trained is a very important part of the security of the home. A valued member to maintain morale(affection), alert us to possible danger), companionship, someone to force us to get out and walk. We have 6 of these friends/fiends(depends on what time of day you visit). 1-Kuvasz, 1-kuvasz/husky (both of these are over 100 lbs), and 4 shetland sheep dogs. The wife is ex-military, I have 11 yrs leo in past. We have never been robbed etc. in our 24 years of marriage.
ll

 

[kgpcr]

I have a .45 double stack and shotgun. I have trigger time in the Corps. thats all i need. I dont worry about how the house is set up and all that drool. If some one tries to break in i will deal with it. Nuff said

 

[Armored farmer]

I may be criticized for this but, I always have a "truck gun". The gun varies with my mood, or present local varmit population. Ialways thought if our home was broken into, it would be when we were away. I don't relish the thought of coming home, and finding a strange vehicle with all my weapons locked up in the house.
I guess the smart thing would be to drive away. No one ever accused me of being very smart.
The truck gun is legally stored seperate from ammo.

 

[Averageman]

I took the paper and my coffee out to the patio one Sunday morning and found a bloody sneaker in the backyard.
Does giving the Dobie scambled eggs count?

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

I have motion lights in the back. They look like normal lights (Remote sensors) so you dont know if someone turned them on or if they are motion lights.

Fenced yard.
Prickley bushes at low front windows.
Motion light at front door (Again, remote sensor)
2 large dogs, both bark, one would lick, the other may bite.
Strategic HD weapons.
Even though the basement is secured, the interior door is also locked.
All bedrooms are upstairs, good luck getting up the stiars. (There is a way out by accessing the roof, if required)

Improvements needed:
my back door is old, I reworked it, but a new door would be much more secure.
Lighting at the sides of the house
basement windows.
& Evidently I need to upgrade one mutt for a doberman

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

A Glock .40 by the bed and a visious attack cat.

She's kind of a psycho animal that doesn't like anyone in her space(besides me)--she attacked the side window by the door when the bible thumpers came knocking--and barely tolerates the gf--only because she feeds her off her plate---and that took months.

She's loud and stands her ground---plenty of time for me to put the .40 in action.

 

[sm]

"Think like a thief."

I just moved again.
I am back to a rural setting, which I wanted, and prefer. And I do mean "rural".

The house, and other structures, are on just shy of 90 acres. Plus there is quite a bit of other land, adjacent, and nearby.

Mentors and Elders shared, one should think like a thief, so that is what I am doing.
Assessing.
Assessing different times of the day and night, weekdays, weekends, and "seasons" and "reading the room". Meaning, I am paying attention to what is the normal "ebb and flow" , " natural rhythm" and by doing so, will be informed as to what is "out of sync".

Investigate and Verify, me, mine, and what is what, and what is not, in order to be informed.

This place has some "advantages" already, such as the ability to turn on outside lights, mounted on structures( more than one) from within the main house, safely, and without letting criminals know from where, what, or why the lighting came on.

Meaning, since my vehicle is in the garage, and other "vehicles" and/or "equipment" is also "housed", one cannot tell if someone is home or not. Just the lights come on.

I continue to access, and "case" myself. Some ideas come to mind, and will be investigated, and implemented.

It is so dark, a bad guy would probably run into a building, one of the wells, the lake, one of the ponds, and other stuff on the property.
Not sure, still I think, one of the dozen deer in the yard the other night, mistook the LP tank for...well...it is getting to be that time of year you know.

 

[JohnBiltz]

What I learned in the military is effective defense is defense in depth. Any one thing can be overcome no matter how hard it is. Multiple over lapping things work better. A good neighborhood is the first layer. A fence, motion detectors lights and barrier shrubs are the second. Alarms, hardened entry points and a noisy pet is the third. Attack dogs, guns, choke points and safe rooms are your final line. Better to stop them out on the perimeter, in the wire so to speak than fighting them when they crawl into your foxhole.

 

[Sauer Grapes]

Home security sign in the front of the house. Motion senser hooked to a siren inside the house. I have a small ranch style home. No way your getting in without me or my wife or the dog hearing .
I also put a 3 way switch in the bedroom that turns the living room light on from behind cover.

 

[longhair75]

I spent a few buck securing the perimeter. I have steel framed and steel coated doors, security film on the windows and good motion sensor lights all around the house. There is never a "bump in the night." It is impossible to get inside my home without making enough noise to wake the whole neighborhood.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

I have a 105 pound Doberman, and a 45 pound mountain cur (noisemaker) that are always on.
Motion lights
I have practiced navigating my house at night using a flashlight intermittently.
Quick access to firearms.

 

[NoAlibi]

When hardening a target, say your safe-room, you don't want to make it so hard for the BG to get in that you can't get out; unless you can figure in an escape route/plan.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Claymores.

In all seriousness, for those of you relying heavily on floodlights and backlighting, what is your contingency plan for a blackout? I'm sure we all recall the massive east coast blackout from a few years ago that lasted days. If I were a miscreant, that would be a good time to do some stealing. So many dead lights, dead security systems, dead home phones or cell phones that haven't been charged in a day or two. Nothing like a good blackout to darken the world, kill security systems, make people feel scared, and slow down police and EMT response times. Target rich environment.

 

[lebowski]

Solid doors and quality locks (abloy). Doors and windows stay locked.

Big dog (GSD)

Good exterior lighting at night (some of it motion activated, some of it on timers to always be on at night)

Take steps to make my house look like somebody's home. Lawn is well maintained etc. Cars are kept in the garage (absence of car on my driveway doesn't mean I'm not home). If I come home for lunch (which I often do), I get the mail, bring the trash can back from the curb etc. I also have a couple of lights on timers in rooms I don't use much (spare bedroom) to make it look like somebody's home. When I leave town, I usually have a friend stay here, mainly to take care of the dog so I don't have to board her but doubles as having someone home when I'm away.

Accessible guns, though I don't hide them around the house like some people do. I think that is unnecessary if you have good doors and locks and practice common sense. There's always a 870 tactical and a Glock 31 accessible in the bedroom. There's usually a CCW pistol (or two) on the nightstand, and often a j-frame in my pocket (including right now). My Daniel Defense M4 is set up well for home defense with a red dot, white light, and quality HD ammo (Hornady TAP), but is in the safe so not as quickly accessible.

My master br has a very good "fatal funnel", nothing to do with anything I did it's just the way my house is laid out. The master BR was an addition, and my house is concrete block, so the cover I'd use when defending the MBR is an interior wall that used to be an exterior wall, and hence is concrete block. The cover the badguy would have access to at the other end of the fatal funnel (long narrow hallway to enter the MBR) is just a normal interior wall (drywall).

Also do to the way my house is built, if you knock on my front door as you stand on my front porch there is a small window in a spare bathroom to your right (the wall juts out perpendicular to the door so that it's next to you). Never had to use it, but I figure if there's someone unknown at the front door and I don't want to answer I can use this window to ask them what they want. I keep a large can of fox labs OC right by this window.

Privacy fence around the back yard, I've thought about adding a padlock to it.

Don't advertise what I have. Garage door is normally kept shut.

Common sense, pay attention, talk to my neighbors etc.


And no, I don't worry about posting this on the internet. Most of this is pretty common stuff, nothing earth shattering, just 90%+ of the population is too lazy and/or naive to do it.

 

[Rexster]

Training. Visualization. Playing the what-ifs. Puppybeasts. Weapons. Lighting. (street, electric, hand-held)

It would be VERY poor strategy for me to reveal my HD strategy and tactics, especially as I am no longer anonymous enough for comfort. (Yes, a friend who knows my real and user names spilled the beans on another forum, and Google gets into everything.)

I will admit to keeping at least one weapon with me as I move about the house. I do NOT keep weapons pre-deployed about the house.

I have the tremendous advantage of clearing others' houses and businesses as a part of my job of police patrol, which gives me plenty of material for my what-ifs at home.

 

[msb45]

Lock your basement door. While people focus on their entry doors many people overlook the fact that basement windows are made for easy egress and are often the weakest link. Couples with the fact they can hide in a window well while working the window it makes access easier. You can use window well covers but locking you basement door means noise and time to give a warning of the intruder and is an easier quicker fix.