As I shared, I just moved...to a very rural area...
...so I am still accessing, and paying attention to the ebb and flow.
Add, "this ain't my first rodeo", meaning all my life, security had to be, a major concern, for not only myself, also for others.
I was, and to still some degree, a juicy target for some models of criminals, so I have life experiences, mine and others, in which to use.
New front door for instance, has been installed, with all the things one does, to make the new door as secure, as can. The truth is, nobody really used the front door, all these years. Perhaps, once, or twice a year. The only reason I have used it, what little I have, is in installation, and I have to finish some painting, and putting the trim back on.
Sound.
Sound is something most folks overlook, hence the "ebb and flow". A good example is, folks get used to sound of a fridge, then when the power is out, the LACK of the fridge making its normal noise, becomes obvious. This applies to so much more.
Now again, I am in a very very rural area. I hear the train, more than I do traffic on the country road, out front.
I have a gravel driveway, so in addition to lights of vehicles, and persons on foot with lights ( it is that dark, so one would need light to access property), I have the "Scrunch" of gravel to signal vehicles, and foot traffic, from one direction.
Lanes.
Just like shooting lanes, in the home, I have "lanes" on the property. To the North, is the road to access property, with a two story farm house, on a small hill, large two story barn, a large shed, and smaller shed. Further north, across the road, is a low field, bounded by Railroad track.
With crops in the field, one has to access from the country road. To the west, more low area, and a pretty good sized lake. To the East more crops, and woods.
South, a LOT crops in the field, (shy of 90 acres) with a "property road" to access crops, and woods further south. There is a Marsh out there, along with more woods. Now, I have seen an aerial view(s) of this place, without crops. It is going to take a helluva hike, or some real serious four wheel drive, to access me, from the south, where there is another road.
You can forget some access when wet, or for sure, with snow. It ain't going to happen, as history will share some situations. In fact, I have been told, when it snows, and I will get snow, to NOT try to access the driveway, from the country road, instead, just drive up the hill, onto the yard. So, another project, is to lop some tree limbs, and make this winter driveway, doable, before winter arrives.
It. Is. DARK.
It. Is. Quiet.
Which gives me some real serious advantages. Really!
Full Moon, (Smugglers Moon)...on a clear night, I have great visibility! Recently, I had over a dozen deer, within 10 steps of the house, and I was able to see clearly, from various windows in house and garage. Then, just for sake of doing so, I stepped outside. Using structures and trees, I was able to get within 10 feet of the deer. One eight point buck, was backing up, and wary, still I was able to get within 10 feet. This rascal, is the one, rubbing all the bark, off one of my little trees.
Some things I have in mind, include, but not limited to, using a baby monitor, for garage, as I/one accesses the house from the garage. This would allow me to listen before going into garage, in addition to hearing any glass breaking, or other "entry methods" from the safety on inside.
A simple "cow bell" will work for my front door, and the French doors which lead out of main/front room, and the door leading in from garage.
You see, I like simple, and things that work without relying on power. Meaning, I may do an alarm with battery backup at some point, still, based on experiences, there is something to old fashioned simple, that does not rely on any power source.
You know those string "flash bangs", one gets at the fireworks stand? Besides having been brought up with these as "trip wires" , and being a part of my "set ups and lessons" (training/ stages) beginning as a wee brat. These...make great "alarms" and sometimes "deterrents" on doors and windows.
These will scare the socks off someone, if you forget to remove them when company is expected, and they open French Doors, with a silver tray of appetizers.
Been there, done that, and had to clean the carpet.