Saturday we're working on our house and a neighbor comes by telling my wife that there have been some robberies a few streets over and the other day he saw a suspicious car with two guys sitting sort of behind my house. He said he asked the guys why they were parked there (because it is kind of a back street where no one parks) and they gave a suspicious answer, so he got their license plate number and called the police (who came out an hour later after they had left).

It is nice to know someone in the area is keeping an eye on things, and hopefully it detered these guys if they were creeping around. After that though, i've really been nervous and thinking a lot about increasing security at my home. When i think about it, it is probably easy to break in our house.

Other than locking all doors and windows, any recommendations on things you've done to increase security at your house?

The main things that come to mind for me are protecting spare keys, check books, passports/birth certificates and important paperwork. everything else can be replaced and isn't as important to me.

i've always wanted a safe, and think i might go look at some today. maybe a key lock box too, and i should go home and check to make sure the computer is protected with proper passwords and such. how can i better protect my computer and the info on it?

 

Dog.

Alarm System.

When you moved in did you have the locks changed?

 

You live in PA, you know the answer.

 

Guns guns guns

 

haha, yeah, we actually have two little dogs. not dangerous but they bark a lot.

I've changed the locks on our front and side door. I still have to do the back door, which i supposed i can do quite easily, and the basement door, which i don't even have a key for and never open. That door has a metal security grating over the glass which is nice.

i'm also definitely looking at getting a handgun. hopefully soon.

i've always wanted an alarm system. i suppose that is the best form of security. i don't know if i can convince the wife though. she thinks i'm being ridiculous as it is.

 

I'm pretty sure a medium sized dog is a better deterrent than an alarm system.

 

A layered approach works best:

1) Alarm system
2) Dog
3) A rehearsed plan if someone does break in, and...

4) Yeah, I'll say it, too - exercise your God-given and Constitution-guaranteed right to arm yourself. Get some training while you're at it.

Need more info, just send me a PM.

 

but in the case you do have to shoot someone, make sure you hit them dead in the chest. you have a lesser chance for entry/exit of the bullet that way and may not **** up your drywall. of course the blood stain in the carpet will be significant

 

The FBI suggests that you have all 3 of the following things:

A dog
A gun
An alarm system

Motion lights on the back and front side of your house are also a nice addition imo.

 

Not just any locks, make sure you have deadbolts. Normal locks can be breached in seconds. When I bought my last house the previous owner had those bs locks that you can turn from the inside but are locked on the outside. Before I replaced them I locked myself out a couple times, but fortunately I can break in with a credit card in about 10 seconds - and I'm not even a pro.

More than an alarm, have an alarm sign out front. Crooks will look to the easier pickings at a neighbor's house than dealing with an alarm system.