I am looking for tips

What are some of the different methods with pros and cons for protecting your house and valuables?

Cameras, we have 4 around our house. Dogs barking although mine sometimes barks at her shadow. A good safe bolted into the concrete.

My house consists of 2 German shepherds. Cameras, security system, a couple safes, and firepower

I sell cameras and unless they are good one they are usless. Having said that with everyone wearing face coverage they aren’t particularly effective now anyway. The best thing in my opinion is lighting. I have a large LED spotlight that pretty much lights up my driveway and yard from dusk to dawn and it does a pretty good job as a deterrence. It may also help that thieves see my cameras as well

Never say “I Do” will save you half your stuff.

Eelpoutguy wrote:

Never say “I Do” will save you half your stuff.

I’ve been saying this for years

Yellow Fever wrote:

I sell cameras and unless they are good one they are usless. Having said that with everyone wearing face coverage they aren’t particularly effective now anyway. The best thing in my opinion is lighting. I have a large LED spotlight that pretty much lights up my driveway and yard from dusk to dawn and it does a pretty good job as a deterrence. It may also help that thieves see my cameras as well

We had cheaper cameras and the ring doorbell which is a joke in itself and we upgraded. Now have a different camera that watches the door a camera/floodlight for the driveway and one off the deck in back. As well as a few inside cameras as well. The best thing we did was ditch that piece of sh!! Ring door bell

Insurance, and hope you never need to use it

[Waiting for Jon J to post the trunk monkey video!]

What are you selling, Patrick?

This is an interesting thread for a third post.

I like my Arlo Camera system and doorbell but I didn’t get it as much for security as I did to see who’s coming and gong now that my kids are old enough to be left home alone. Works great, though, and gives me a little more peace of mind when not home. Pretty much get a bunch of pic of the neighbors cat sneaking around at night, but also see a lot of coons, possums, rabbits, etc.

Cameras are battery powered and solar charged (and I’ve never had to manually charge them) But if the power goes out, so does their hub that links it all together so that’s a weak spot.

Unfortunately a few of the homes that I have built over the years have been broken into or had attempts. When going back to repair the damage, you see a few common things

Exterior view – what areas around a house have restricted view from neighbors and or road?

As mentioned above, budget cameras are worthless. Exterior cameras in plain view , high quality, with a very sufficient dvr AND over lapping views. Too often homeowners want minimal- more is better because and a variety of camera types. Most we have installed allow to zoom into a captured image and read car 🚙 late at 300feet or further daytime and night IR to about 125’

Quality alarm system. I’m a huge fan of the strobe/sirens and plenty of them. If when that system goes off, you want it deafening. Don’t trust just glass break sensors. Motion sensors and again over lapping coverage. Idea is to fire the system off as soon as anything come through a door or window – NOT after they are in and moving around.

Door / window – wood panel doors are so easy to kick or punch the panels out. They look great, but thieves know to kick the panels out. The rails/styles are strong, but panels are weak. A lot of cheap vinyl windows are very easy to pry the panes apart on single or double hunts. Small prybar or stout knife will easily jam in there and pop the latch apart

We captured a quite a few videos of someone comes up driveway/crosses yard , sees cameras and bolts out of there. As for break-ins, kicked in front door or windows beneath deck/exposed lower levels most common. In all cases they came in about 2 feet, turned around, and fled like hell to get out.

No trunk monkey. Rottweiler here!

-J

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Make sure your home, property is less appealing to break into than your neighbors.

Mike W wrote:

Make sure your home, property is less appealing to break into than your neighbors.

Mike W wrote:

Make sure your home, property is less appealing to break into than your neighbors.

For the win!!

Mike W wrote:

Make sure your home, property is less appealing to break into than your neighbors.

Outstanding. I would add on a serious note having a relationship with your neighbors. Even if bare minimum so that you can be alert for each other.

Jon Jordan wrote:

No trunk monkey. Rottweiler here!

-J

A T-bone steak will disable your security system.

I have motion sensing security lights in both front and back. I also installed dawn to dusk LED light bulbs in my other outside lights. WHen it gets dark they come on. When the sun comes up they turn off. Really nice to go outside and not have to flip switches but have light. My neighbors have all switched over to these after seeing mine.

1. Insurance: This one speaks for itself. Know your policy and don’t skimp on something that is cut rate to shave a few $$$ per month.

2. Cameras that are visible: I’ve never understood the idea of hiding cameras for security purposes. The idea of seeing a camera itself is more of a deterrent than just about anything on the list. Having multiple views is best, but also having angles or vantage points that offer you a longer view in duration help. The “smile you’re on camera” signs are cheesy, but honestly are a deterrent.

3. Lighting: A few well-positioned exterior lights are a great deterrent. Our current builder says he’s began to install motion sensors that turn on interior lights when motion outside is detected near the home. His clients use it when they are away. Our new build is going to have some exterior lighting that never shuts off after dark unless it’s overridden by us. We will plan to leave it on it’s automatic cycle forever. The little energy today’s LED lights use are pennies compared to the past.

4. Limit Accessibility: Nobody’s home is impenetrable no matter how badly you want to think it is. However, simple things like keeping doors LOCKED (yes many thefts involve people walking into unlocked doors/windows), not having clear sight lines into the house to see its layout or items, have a way to cover garage windows as garage thefts are some of the most common window shopping routines for thugs.

I own firearms. I know they are a crucial component to self-defense. However, the statistics clearly show that time and time again most thefts or events of vandalism to property go unnoticed in real-time. My in laws recently had a new security system put in and their company said that less than 4% of crimes on private property are carried out while someone is home or with someone awake or aware of the situation in-time to stop it. If your main answer to theft is “a loaded gun in your nightstand” or “shotgun next to the closet”, you’re unlikely to have any measurable impact reducing the probability of a break in.

“We’ve got a dog” is a classic phrase used when people bring up break-ins. Don’t fall victim to thinking the family dog will magically flip a switch from licking family members on the couch to shredding an intruder in the dark. Most at best are going to notify someone that there is activity outside or nearby with a bark. Many dogs that are alert and bark when someone comes also are “crying wolf” barking at sounds, the wind, etc. and really aren’t a guaranteed tell-all of what is going on or have conditioned you to not think much of their barking. Most of the scary, territorial dogs people think they have are nothing more than a quick pat or rub away from being a happy, tail-wagging witnesses to a theft.

I live on a dead-end road 10 minutes from town and 20 from the county sheriffs office. I’ve often wondered if a dead-end is more or less secure. I definitely pay more attention to unknown vehicles that come down our road than if it were a through street. When I “think like a criminal” I find the thought of only giving myself one way out of a situation unnerving. Maybe I’d just be a crappy criminal…

We have SimpliSafe with the live monitoring, but it is merely a deterrent and notification system for us should anyone attempt to get in. I have plenty of firepower, but access to it is somewhat slow. I would like a dog as another level of deterrent, but my wife is opposed to that idea at the moment.

Ultimately, we try to be neighborly and keep an eye on our neighbors places when they are away and they reciprocate by keeping an eye on ours. This is probably a good idea if you have neighbors around that you trust (this is key) just to keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary.

FYI- if anyone is doing a remod or new house build and is looking for clever “safe locations” , contact me. I’ve worked with clients over the years that have special concealments needs. We’ve developed some awesome locations

Maybe I be the odd one here but I got nuttin. I feel safe living here in Mayberry.

Got 2 dogs, but they just as soon luck ya to death Never even considered getting security systems.

suzuki wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Mike W wrote:</div>
Make sure your home, property is less appealing to break into than your neighbors.

Outstanding. I would add on a serious note having a relationship with your neighbors. Even if bare minimum so that you can be alert for each other.

This is the advice I was given after my work truck had been broken into. Think you are on the right track relying on yourself to protect your property.

I just have crappy stuff that nobody wants.

I set up booby traps like the movie home alone. Watch your step on my back door steps and may want to touch the door handle gently first to see if it is burning hot.

We have cameras, alarm system, motion lights, dogs, evil cat, fire power, and a car park across the street with red and blue lights on top of it every night.
Still if someone wants something I have I am sure they can get it.

everything of value i own is in the garage…..

We live on a dead end road. Right at it’s head we posted neighborhood watch signs and a video surveillance sign. Our yards are well lit, and most of us have big dogs. oh, and whenever a strange vehicle rolls down the road, we all eyeball it, and make sure they know they’re being eyeballed. No breakins since we started the “program”. And it doesn’t hurt if the community thinks you’re a little bit gun happy and crazy. Man I love livin’ in the country! We can get away with stuff that would have the snowflakes absolutely apoplectic.

“4. Limit Accessibility: Nobody’s home is impenetrable no matter how badly you want to think it is. However, simple things like keeping doors LOCKED (yes many thefts involve people walking into unlocked doors/windows), not having clear sight lines into the house to see its layout or items, have a way to cover garage windows as garage thefts are some of the most common window shopping routines for thugs.”
The house keys, AKA, a brick or stone, are easily found in the driveway or garden. Why bust a lock when a window is easier. And locks only keep out honest thieves. Get a big dog (or at least a bunch of phony great dane size dog turds), and a bigger gun.