Security for rural home

Author
Discussion

montecristo

Original Poster:

1,043 posts

176 months

Saturday 4th July 2015
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What are the best ways of securing a rural home when I am away - alarm connected to some kind of callout service springs to mind, but what else do people here do?

Monitoring it via webcams seems pointless when I am travelling, for example.

daytona365

1,773 posts

163 months

Saturday 4th July 2015
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A shotgun attached to some sort of trip wire device perhaps ?

velocefica

4,636 posts

107 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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I'd say a shotgun and a sign on the gate stating you have a shotgun and are prepared to use it.

SEE YA

3,522 posts

244 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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Call out service, with a stop and check policy.
Maybe a neighbour near by could help?

montecristo

Original Poster:

1,043 posts

176 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
quotequote all
The only neighbour is very old and lives alone; I can't ask a 90 year old man to wake up at midnight and possible burglars.

Another option would be those lights that switch on and off randomly.

clarkey

1,365 posts

283 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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In my last place it would have been at least 40 minutes before police or call out security would have got there, and that assumes they'd find it (we had to give coordinates as well as an address). I decided that it wasn't going to be successful - so I made it look as lived in as possible, well lit outside, good physical security outside, and then make sure anything valuable is in a decent safe if they do get in.

I work on the assumption that you've probably not been targeted, so make yours less attractive to take the risk on than your neighbours house.

snowman99

400 posts

146 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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They'll got for out buildings first. Not a lot you can do, but if you have any valueable tools either insure them or upgrade the hinges/bolts and locks, although they'll cut a hole in the side if you make it too hard.

Get some geese?

Snozzwangler

12,230 posts

193 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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NailedOn

3,114 posts

234 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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Alarms just annoyed me and my neighbours. We went for security lights and timed indoor lights, random setting ones are available. We used a clock radio too. Simple enough but makes an intruder think twice.
Sensible precautions are best. Chain tools together inside the shed to make them harder to shift.
Advise neighbours of light timings and long periods you are away.
We never had any problems. Rural people notice strangers and breaks from routine.
Good luck!

elanfan

5,516 posts

226 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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Another device which looks quite good is a light that mimics the look of a TV being on in the room. It lights up the curtains in the same way as a TV does with all the flickers and changes of intensity. Fit it to a timer plug and it should look like you are home. Buy a snotter and leave it parked outside so again looks like you are home.

Check with local Police what they estimate their response times to an alarm might be. At least this way you don't give thieves indefinite time on your premises to steal loads and even return for more!

Edited by elanfan on Sunday 5th July 13:52

montecristo

Original Poster:

1,043 posts

176 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
quotequote all
Some good ideas in here, thank you.

I agree that alarms are annoying, and probably pointless in terms of response times. I'll look into random and TV lights.

User33678888

1,141 posts

136 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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Surely this is a problem for the estate staff.

bogie

16,342 posts

271 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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We have cameras that text/email us with any movement alerts whilst away. If its just the postman or Jehovas no need to do anything, if its someone dodgy within seconds you can forward the video stream to the local Police by the app on the phone. you are in effect self monitoring

HOGEPH

5,249 posts

185 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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TheLordJohn

5,746 posts

145 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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Big, fk off dogs smile
I've got 75 kilos of dogs, no one's tried yet wink

NailedOn

3,114 posts

234 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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Subject is on the latest BBC Countryfile.

Busa mav

2,556 posts

153 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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Snozzwangler said:
Just googled him to see what he is up to now , seems he lives at a secret address in fear of his life due to their being a price on his head.

GetCarter

29,358 posts

278 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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We used to leave our house in the Cotswolds to live elsewhere for 6 months of the year.

Good locks & alarms almost work, but fresh flowers in the window and a car in the driveway work better. We got our neighbour to use our driveway as his.

You MUST make it look lived in... any way possible. Empty = go for it for the scrotes!

rufusgti

2,528 posts

191 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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I have an idea for security that I believe would work really well. Never tried it though.

If you have outhouses or workshops i'd get an old iPod or mp3 and a cheap docking station. Record the sound of you generally tinkering for about 5 minutes. Just banging about, maybe drill something. Drag some stuff accross the floor. Make the dog growl a bit. Then when your away leave it in the outhouse on loop. Anyone approaching at night will soon scarper when they think someone's working late in the outhouse. You would have to have it fairly loud but if your out in the sticks that should be fine.

condor

8,837 posts

247 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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Use a home check/sitting service.