Improving house security -any advice?
Discussion
With the recession biting further, and burglary figures going up, aligned with a reduction in policeing, I want to improve the security on the house...
At the moment we have:-
- Sensor lights to all sides of the house.
- A sensor at the bottom of the garden that puts a light on in the spare room so it looks as if someone has just put the light on
- An alarm system on the house and garage that calls our mobiles if it goes off
- 6 foot fencing to the rear all round with 2' trellis on top (fence pannels are secured so they cant be lifted, surprising how many people don't do this!) (with some nice nails in the top)
- 6 foot solid gate to the side with security light on it and anti climbing strips on the top
Anyone suggest anything else to deter break ins? Thinking of getting CCTV but not sure....
At the moment we have:-
- Sensor lights to all sides of the house.
- A sensor at the bottom of the garden that puts a light on in the spare room so it looks as if someone has just put the light on
- An alarm system on the house and garage that calls our mobiles if it goes off
- 6 foot fencing to the rear all round with 2' trellis on top (fence pannels are secured so they cant be lifted, surprising how many people don't do this!) (with some nice nails in the top)
- 6 foot solid gate to the side with security light on it and anti climbing strips on the top
Anyone suggest anything else to deter break ins? Thinking of getting CCTV but not sure....
Land mines
ETA: Put an AT one under an AP one, bigger bang for your buck.
But in all seriousness, have you considered a BFD? Doberman or German Shepard generally fit the bill.. The latter needs to be fluffy in order to make it seem like a bear as much as possible.
Fencing is alright, but it's all passive, maybe look into regulations on electrified fencing?
ETA: Put an AT one under an AP one, bigger bang for your buck.
But in all seriousness, have you considered a BFD? Doberman or German Shepard generally fit the bill.. The latter needs to be fluffy in order to make it seem like a bear as much as possible.
Fencing is alright, but it's all passive, maybe look into regulations on electrified fencing?
Edited by Havoc856 on Sunday 13th March 10:59
Havoc856 said:
But in all seriousness, have you considered a BFD? Doberman or German Shepard generally fit the bill.. The latter needs to be fluffy in order to make it seem like a bear as much as possible.
^ This.Dogs will do far more to deter burglars than sensor lights and fences........
You've put up a "perimeter" but in reality the "perimeter" is the access points to your home.
Doors, windows and other weak points.
Sash windows: Are a nightmare. Bolt them, and put blocks in the window runners so you can open windows that don't need to full open no more than 3-4" All other styles of windows should have good window locks that get used. Double glazing is good as well, it's much harder to break in through than single panes.
Door: Re-inforce the door frame with a "london bar" and ensure that the door itself is of good solid construction with decent hinges. If it's a UPVC door "all in one" construction then check you're happy with it's security. They can be incredibly tough to break in through, but some models have weaknesses apparently and it might be worth getting a locksmith to check it over.
Check all points that an agile and competent climber could get too as well. Just because you can't climb onto that flat roof, don't assume no-one can. This may give you another set of windows to ensure that they are secure.
Security of valuables within your home: A cheap safe bolted to a wall is a good idea for passports, cash books or other valuables like jewellery.
After that it's just simple home security: Don't leave keys on the back of doors or on shelves/hooks near a door with a letterbox, don't leave ladders/tools around or in insecure sheds that could facilitate a break-in, don't leave windows or doors open.
CCTV? Well, if you believe it's a deterrent then go for it, in my experience Burglars don't much care. The footage needs to be of good quality to be of use to the police, and that means spending more than most home owners are willing to. The main problem with CCTV is it only acts "after the fact" and it tends to give people a false impression of security. Much better to stop them getting in in the first place than to have clear footage of exactly how they stole your valuables and car.
Oh, and review/renew your insurance too.
Doors, windows and other weak points.
Sash windows: Are a nightmare. Bolt them, and put blocks in the window runners so you can open windows that don't need to full open no more than 3-4" All other styles of windows should have good window locks that get used. Double glazing is good as well, it's much harder to break in through than single panes.
Door: Re-inforce the door frame with a "london bar" and ensure that the door itself is of good solid construction with decent hinges. If it's a UPVC door "all in one" construction then check you're happy with it's security. They can be incredibly tough to break in through, but some models have weaknesses apparently and it might be worth getting a locksmith to check it over.
Check all points that an agile and competent climber could get too as well. Just because you can't climb onto that flat roof, don't assume no-one can. This may give you another set of windows to ensure that they are secure.
Security of valuables within your home: A cheap safe bolted to a wall is a good idea for passports, cash books or other valuables like jewellery.
After that it's just simple home security: Don't leave keys on the back of doors or on shelves/hooks near a door with a letterbox, don't leave ladders/tools around or in insecure sheds that could facilitate a break-in, don't leave windows or doors open.
CCTV? Well, if you believe it's a deterrent then go for it, in my experience Burglars don't much care. The footage needs to be of good quality to be of use to the police, and that means spending more than most home owners are willing to. The main problem with CCTV is it only acts "after the fact" and it tends to give people a false impression of security. Much better to stop them getting in in the first place than to have clear footage of exactly how they stole your valuables and car.
Oh, and review/renew your insurance too.
Thanks,
cant do the dog thing, one of the kids are allergic to dogs...
All the locks are good on the house, but the shed is easy and contains lots of tools that could be used for break ins... good point!
I may just go for some quality dummy CCTV cameras with LED / back lights as a deterant.
I just see this as taking responsibility for my family and property when there are so many
scrotes around! Lets face it, the police are a joke now and its not going to get better...
Any more suggestions?
Believe me, If i could put in some land mines I would!
cant do the dog thing, one of the kids are allergic to dogs...
All the locks are good on the house, but the shed is easy and contains lots of tools that could be used for break ins... good point!
I may just go for some quality dummy CCTV cameras with LED / back lights as a deterant.
I just see this as taking responsibility for my family and property when there are so many
scrotes around! Lets face it, the police are a joke now and its not going to get better...Any more suggestions?
Believe me, If i could put in some land mines I would!
CCTV will certainly deter them from spending to much time looking round the house or car.
Most of these kind of burglaries are performed on houses where there's a quick reward on show and little security or an easily seen weakness.... if your house looks halfway secure compared to the rest they'll leave it.
If it's a targetted attack to get the car or something that's been seen in the house then you won't stop it... it'll be planned. In this case the best protection is to try and make sure entry points and windows are as protected as possible then get the alarm rigged up to the Police.
Double glazing is no limiter - My car was targetted and stolen from my house - they watched until my wife was away from the house (or turned up when they knew she'd not be around)
Jumped over through the rear garden and smashed the double glazed window - certain impact types make it easy to "pop". They then searched until they found keys then went out via front door.
After looking in to different options - alarm with internal "disruptor" siren and linked to Police was best - the internal siren is so loud you can't even think when in there so if they need to start searching it'll be done with ears nearly bleeding and there's a fighting chance Police will get there - Police said normally they'll abort as soon as the alarm goes off if they can see it's a decent one and not a DIY job.
Aside from that - Take the Joburg approach... 8-10 foot wall, electrified fence on top with barbed wire as well in some cases, all linked to armed response private security, regular local patrols from private security and a selection of weapons in the house at the ready.
Most of these kind of burglaries are performed on houses where there's a quick reward on show and little security or an easily seen weakness.... if your house looks halfway secure compared to the rest they'll leave it.
If it's a targetted attack to get the car or something that's been seen in the house then you won't stop it... it'll be planned. In this case the best protection is to try and make sure entry points and windows are as protected as possible then get the alarm rigged up to the Police.
Double glazing is no limiter - My car was targetted and stolen from my house - they watched until my wife was away from the house (or turned up when they knew she'd not be around)
Jumped over through the rear garden and smashed the double glazed window - certain impact types make it easy to "pop". They then searched until they found keys then went out via front door.
After looking in to different options - alarm with internal "disruptor" siren and linked to Police was best - the internal siren is so loud you can't even think when in there so if they need to start searching it'll be done with ears nearly bleeding and there's a fighting chance Police will get there - Police said normally they'll abort as soon as the alarm goes off if they can see it's a decent one and not a DIY job.
Aside from that - Take the Joburg approach... 8-10 foot wall, electrified fence on top with barbed wire as well in some cases, all linked to armed response private security, regular local patrols from private security and a selection of weapons in the house at the ready.
buzzer said:
Lets face it, the police are a joke now and its not going to get better...
I take offence at that, after all, they're always there to give advice, even on a Sunday morning.... 
Burglaries are hard to prevent and hard to investigate. If more home owners and land lords took straightforwards and cheap precautions, then the majority of burglaries wouldn't occur. Burglar's lives would get a lot harder, and many of them would move on to other areas to commit crime.
To be honest, there is a "Three Strikes" rule for dwelling-burglaries now that means a mandatory 3 year sentence for your 3rd conviction. This means that only the pit-s
t thick or the truly desparate continue to burgle homes.I have just installed a CCTV at my home, it's got H.264 quality cameras with very good night vision and records on a hard drive in different modes, all the time, by time and date or by motion which also pre-records before motion is detected by a certain time you set. I can view the cameras on my iPhone or via any computer from anywhere, I also have them connected to my TV via the AV connection and can view all cameras in an instant. If you wish you can use PTZ cameras and control them remotely too but these are a bit pricey.
All this for a couple of hundred quid. More a precucion than anything but it's maintenance free so fit and forget but if you have any problems then you just go back in time and look at the footage and save if necessary.
All this for a couple of hundred quid. More a precucion than anything but it's maintenance free so fit and forget but if you have any problems then you just go back in time and look at the footage and save if necessary.
buzzer said:
cant do the dog thing, one of the kids are allergic to dogs...
A house I used to drive past had a dog visable sitting in it's porch, it was years until I realised it was not real.buzzer said:
Believe me, If i could put in some land mines I would!
As used by gamekeepers £14! http://www.solwayfeeders.com/products/alarm-mine-p...
Targarama said:
Just make sure your house is less easy to break into than your neighbours.
I have a diamond-encrusted gold sign which reads:| Attention! |
|---|
| MENTALIST WHO LIKES WEAPONS LIVES WITHIN. Try the charming elderly couple next door. The husband has a dodgy knee and the wife is partially sighted. They just bought a 40" LCD TV and an iPad. Thank you for your assistance. |
RemainAllHoof said:
I have a diamond-encrusted gold sign which reads:| Attention! |
|---|
| MENTALIST WHO LIKES WEAPONS LIVES WITHIN. Try the charming elderly couple next door. The husband has a dodgy knee and the wife is partially sighted. They just bought a 40" LCD TV and an iPad. Thank you for your assistance. |
From helping sort out after the break in at my parents:
1. An alarm that rings out is only any use if a phone on the line can't be knocked off the hook before the alarm sounded.
2. Make sure that your alarm covers all possible entry rooms, if someone can get in through the bathroom window and empty the bedrooms without setting the alarm off sods law says that's where they will get in,
3. Locks on windows are ok, but I have heard some of the window fitting chains only had a limited number of possible keys so someone smashing the glass could possibly have a useable key. Equally keep your keys away from the windows.
1. An alarm that rings out is only any use if a phone on the line can't be knocked off the hook before the alarm sounded.
2. Make sure that your alarm covers all possible entry rooms, if someone can get in through the bathroom window and empty the bedrooms without setting the alarm off sods law says that's where they will get in,
3. Locks on windows are ok, but I have heard some of the window fitting chains only had a limited number of possible keys so someone smashing the glass could possibly have a useable key. Equally keep your keys away from the windows.
WeirdNeville said:
buzzer said:
Lets face it, the police are a joke now and its not going to get better...
I take offence at that, after all, they're always there to give advice, even on a Sunday morning.... Burglaries are hard to prevent and hard to investigate. If more home owners and land lords took straightforwards and cheap precautions, then the majority of burglaries wouldn't occur. Burglar's lives would get a lot harder, and many of them would move on to other areas to commit crime.
To be honest, there is a "Three Strikes" rule for dwelling-burglaries now that means a mandatory 3 year sentence for your 3rd conviction. This means that only the pit-s
t thick or the truly desparate continue to burgle homes.
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