Suggestion from a 26 yr LEO: One of the many things you can do is put up "Beware of Dog" signs regardless if you have one or not. It may cause the crook to pass on your location. Thank you guys for the great content. Peace.
Great advice! That “quiet” dog that you think is there is the one to worry about - just how big and badass is that dig waiting on the other side if the fence? 😉
The law can use a beware dog signs against you if someone trespassing gets bit so no trespassing signs are better don't just take my word for it look up the law in your state
To add. Added storm doors to my front and back, it helped delay a guy trying to break-in my backdoor while my wife and at time infant daughter was home alone and preventing them from being harmed. You might not be home to protect the once that are the most precious to you so 100% agree with Coch to harden your home.
Absolutely. It adds another lock and barrier, which worse case scenario will give your family another 10 seconds head start; best case scenario the inside door can be opened with out a sales man putting the foot in the way of the door and letting all the pets and kids escape (which happened to my mother in the early 1970's and she was really angry about having to chase 3 kids, a beagle and a cat down at 9 Am.
1. Really endorse having dogs. 2. Barking dogs discourage break-ins. 3. Barking dogs provide early warning of trespassers. 4. Barking dogs provide time to assess the situation & determine the proper response.
Our particular threat is sneaky, vicious, relentless & elusive. We have four small dogs; real barkers, a permanent order of restraint, security cameras, lights; we're armed to the teeth, yet a week ago, he cut the spark plugs in our car. It's not the first time he's tampered with someone's vehicle. Caught on camera, as I said.. He's terrorized multiple families in our neighborhood for years. There are charges against him for an unrelated violent assault. One man, on a bicycle, has gotten away with deadly criminal acts, caught on camera, documented, reported & "investigated", yet he continues to roam free, terrorizing innocent people. We do not hold a victim mentality; we're pro-active, we've done our due diligence. I believe our situation is similar to the national crisis we now face; which is pretty lofty of me to say.. Our best strategy is to be prepared. Godspeed, everyone.
I started my home protection journey when I moved back to Texas from Cali. My dad said “moving to SA, let me offer you a bit of advice” and proceeded to walk around my house pointing out every entry point. Then purchased me a FA, an alarm system, and a doorbell camera. Since then I’ve added motion lights, two big flood lights, swapped out the screws on every strike plate, panic button, glass break sensor, and three outdoor cameras, and two American Bulldogs. Friendly, but they bark which is what I need anyway. I thank god nothing I couldn’t control has happened. My wife thought I was crazy until she received several Nextdoor notifications about incidents that have happened less than five miles from us. Yeah it’s not complete and probably not the best. The idea is to build over time and figure out what’s best for your family. I love our system and my wife feels safe. Now my neighbors ask my dad for advice.
I live in Texas too. Do you know what your rights are if a trespasser with intent to go to crime private property and makes it to your porch and is bitten on your porch by your dog then run away
I lived downtown in a city for about a decade. Having a door stopper that wedges under the knob to the floor saved the day on a few occasions and gave peace of mind to my girlfriend when she was there alone. At night I have it fully wedged, completely bracing the door. During the day when/if someone knocked at the door I’d shorten the length one click which allowed me to crack the door a few inches. If they tried to push in it would jam up and stop anyone from squeezing through. That scenario happened twice btw.
Yeh, that doorstopper replaces alarm system, dogs, community alarm, cameras, weapons, a plan...MAN ARE YOU CRAZY??? I checked off 7 of the 8 steps proved by this video. The 8th is a plan... which unfortunately requires the cooperation of my wife. If a burglar cares to go against my home 360 degree home alarm, by community alarm, my 2 German Shepherds that are trained in protection, plus the arms that we have to protect ourselves..... BEST OF LUCK TO THEM.... because they will need it. Hurrah to your DOOR STOPPER!!!
If you’re in most of the southern half of the US, bougainvillea is a great plant for around vulnerable windows in lower floors and poorly lit areas. A season or two and it will have thorns the size of trim nails and it’s one more layer of protection. Might not stop someone, but sure as hell will slow them down if not cause them to yelp when they get stabbed and now you’ve got a few more seconds warning.
Used to machine doors back in the day. Gotta remember, long screws and heavy hinges are only as good as what they bolt into. Most normal doors are made from pretty soft stuff and are often hollow. Know what you are buying.
Excellent practical advice! Also adding longer screws or extended striker plate to the lock side of an entry door (with dead bolt, of course) greatly reduces the ability to pry, or kick in a door. Thanks, again!
Here are a couple of things I’ve told my folks… Almost every vehicle these days has the alarm function on its key fob. If you don’t have a home alarm system, you could trigger your car alarm from inside your home if you think/know there’s a threat outside. It’s better than nothing and may dissuade them. Also, and some may find this “iffy” lol ~ We all know how long it takes police to respond. This is just a fact of life in our country. I’m a fireman. If you just happen to dial 911 and tell them you think your house is on fire, we ARE coming. Much faster than the police on average. I’ve told my wife a thousand times… “If you think something is going on, you call the fire department when I’m not home”. No idiot with bad intent is going to hang out with the big red flashy truck pulling up and a bunch of men jumping off to help a woman. End of story.
I grew up with bars on the windows and gates on the doors. The best thing you can do for security in my opinion is, have some kind of rapport with at least 1 neighbor so you can look out for eachother when you're not home. 24 hour cameras linked to your phone is a nice option if you can afford it too.
A very strong option, after you replace the hinge screws - is a floor-mounted door barracade. Both Nightlock and OnGard, are excellent brands. Look for videos: the floor barricades are tremendously strong.
As ex LE and a stay at home homeschooling mom while my husband works his tail off all day... I LOVE this kind of video! We have an English Mastiff and we both have extensive weapons training and hand to hand BUT our home does need more fortification as well as we have 3 toddlers and I'm currently pregnant. The comments are extremely helpful too! Thanks for this and I will be looking for more useful tips and tricks from you!
I agree with the reinforcing the door hinges but also reinforce the actual lock and deadbolts on all of the entry doors. Armor concepts has a kit for just about every door imagineable and it is very easy to install.
For the garage door make sure there is a slide lock that goes into the frame. Use it. Turn off the power switch at night. If your going away for an extended period of time put a big arse C-clamp in the frame where the wheels go. Put a lock through the slide bolt, turn off the power to garage door opener. Exit and lock up through the front door. Never leave a spare key anywhere outside. Inform only a trusted neighbor about your time away. If this tip prevents one avoidable theft I'll be a happy camper.
I also put heavy objects such as my large snake tanks on the inside of the easiest to get into Windows of my house. The other windows are higher up on my house. Like you said, layers of security. It doesn't make your home impenetrable but it's little things that will buy you time and make it harder for someone to get in and maybe move on to a softer target. Great video.
Always good stuff from Coch and TH. I would add: Don’t post on social media, etc. when you are out of town/away from your home. Use “vacation hold” for mail at the post office when you are away. Not letting newspapers (if anyone still gets those delivered 😉) pile up at your front door, and consider having a TV or radio and a few interior lights that are on timers for when you are away to create an illusion that someone may be home. Re: plan if someone breaks in when you and your family are at home - who is in charge meaning who leads, who follows, who shelters in place, etc. and your “comms plan” - how you call 911 and how you communicate with each other. Looking forwarding to the next nugget from Coch and all the filks at TH.
Have you seen the tv fakers? It's a box you plug into an outlet that has rbg leds that flicker like a tv that you can set for certain times of day. Looks like you're home watching tv.
My home security for outside is "see profile pic" LOL He will let me know & stop someone is within 100yards of my house!! Plus, we have fences and cameras. Thank you for the great advice! Oh yeah the door screws are a must!!
A friend lived in a multi-family house in Brooklyn. He had been burgled many times so he bought a high security door that had six bolts that came out aroiund the door to secure it. He came home one day to find that they cut a hole in the wall next to his door and got in. If they want in they'll find a way.
Thank you for the tips. One of my best friends was murdered in his backyard 12 years ago. The assailant hid in the shadows of his backyard until he came out and shot him. A dog, motion lights, and cameras would have saved his life that night.
Dogs are awesome. They hear everything, way before I do. They bark and scare the trap out of people. They're not mean or overly aggressive,, but you can't beat dogs for security.
For the hinges, be sure to install structural screws for a high shear rating. Most screws, such as deck screws, are made with only clamping force in mind. Someone trying to kick in a door is likely applying substantial shear force to the hinges, which might break a deck screw.
Boards with nails driven thru them can be used as a defense tool. Turn them sharp side up, bury them a few inches in the ground under windows. Cover lightly with leaves, old grass clippings, etc...( don't forget where they are placed for your own protection)
I would say to lock your master bedroom door and then put a door stop alarm behind it. if the bad guy manages to get through a door stop and 120db ringing through your ears from 10 ft away, you're mostly likely already up with your firearm ready to go
If you buy a house. Change the wood depending on how old the house is. It could be rotten, possibly already gone through a robbery. If you see possible sign. Get a piece of metal make it the length of the height of the door, cut out where the dead bolt and lower knob goes into wall. Route out the wall screw it down. The metal won't bust out like the wood would if kicked in. The longer it takes for a criminal to get in . He may give up and leave. Or gives you more time to get your weapon.
Having my first apartment, I loved the fact that my dog would bark anytime someone was coming to my door. She was correct so often that I started giving her props for it lmao. Let me know having a dog for my first home is a MUST!
There's a good video testing different ways to slowly reinforce your doors. The weakest part is the door knob area where it goes into the frame. Replace the frame area where the latch is for the door knob/handle area, simply adding long screws so the little metal plate in the door frame Is secured to the studs in the wall works amazing. This is also one of the reasons breech operation teams will target the door bolt and latch with the big door rammer; they know the avg door isn't secured there. The next weakest part was mentioned in the video, the hinge screws are too short to reach the stud in the wall like the one I mentioned above. Etc.
I’ll be moving into my first home next week, and will live alone. I’ve already got the fire extinguishers and fire blankets. Now, I have to think about facing the fear of potential break ins. It’s daunting, but I know it’s essential! Haven’t really read anyone suggesting rope ladders. I’m thinking I’ll have one in my bedroom ready to climb out the window. I could get out, and get to my car. Of course, on top of other measures. I’d love to have a dog, but it’s a huge commitment.
Quick tip, when replacing those screws in the hinges, be sure to pilot the holes with the appropriate drill bit. Odds are you wouldnt split the wood inside the frame, but if you did you wouldnt know it until someone kicked it in. Better to take 20 seconds and be safe
Good info. Like "Ah Chu" pointed out, long screws on the strike side/lock side are important as well. From a production standpoint, unless the video in the background is from the Sheriff's Office alerting the neighborhood to a perv roaming the streets, I'd recommend something that isn't distracting and taking focus away from what's being presented. A simple picture or scene is preferable. If you're trying to promote something, use a "card" or link in the description. Also, links to the materials you mentioned would be helpful. Thanks.
Leaving a radio on to talk radio. People hear voices and think someone's home or just fell asleep with a tv on. Interior lights on a timer, if your away lights are still on.
Fence Lights Cameras Dogs Solid door, 3in hinge deck screws Windows blocked from opening by pvc pipe stopping it from sliding open Maintain your security system Have a plan Firearm last resort
@Bryan Anderson Perfect, yes, but I want to ask one thing; Should a 'hidden room' be added to that list? Could be fake stories, but we all hear accounts where the murderous intruders were caught because the family was hiding in a well concealed panic room, dialing the cops or loading a pistol kept there. I kinda like the idea of a well hidden secret room ! Any thoughts anyone?...
@@bentonrp Too expensive and impractical...also a waste of space 99.999% of the time. Why hide in a secret room when you can just run away also? You can also hide in any room, hidden or not... most burglars aren't looking to engage you, they just want to steal and get out quickly. If someone obviously wants to kill you, well, then, you probably have bigger issues to worry about.
All natural hedges can be nice looking and pretty nasty. Osage Orange forms a dense, thorny hedge although maybe too nasty for some. Blackberry forms an extremely unwelcome hedge which can provide edible treats. Neither are difficult to establish but need maintenance which often causes boo boos. There are others like roses to plant underneath windows for beauty and repellency. Or be a man and just crap all around your house continually.
A funny story about blackberries. We were moving cattle for a few days in the high counrty and ran out of food. Dumb-ass kids. But anyway we found some blackberry bushes. I convinced my buddy those berries were poisonous. I ate them all when he wasn't looking. HEY, I'M NOT PROUD OF IT.........lol.
Dont like the wireless internet dependent cams. Tried them. Got rid of it. Ive wired three houses with hardwired alarm systems, cams and DVR. Going back to that. I'm going to build a house with concrete walls, steel doors and steel door jams and "riot glass". If i can afford ballistic glass, I'll do it. 8ft perimeter fence with the "Iron Clad" fence alarm system. Closer around the house and gardens I'll use the "Voice Alert System 6". It previously was an American company, but was purchased by a South African company called Drongo. They've improved the system and it is outstanding, BUT, they have to ship it to you from South Africa. Expensive, but worth it. Paint any white plastic green. Camouflage and conceal everything. Build a concealed safe room in the house, that can be secured with you inside. Have your cam system DVR and tv in there so you can see the cams. Put cam in the house. Dont forget the guns of course! Good luck and have fun! It's alot of fun building it and getting everything in place.
Don’t use wireless for security related equipment. WiFi jammers are cheap and readily available, and thieves around here who mean business have started carrying them. Especially car thieves (who will break into your home to get the keys. We’ve started replacing the glass on the ground floor with triple pane glass… mostly for noise insulation, but as it turns out it also offers good protection against people trying to break in. Reinforcing the doors is next. The hard part is replacing or strengthening the door jamb, that’s usually the part that breaks when someone kicks in the door.
Thanks for the interesting video! I just wanted to add a suggestion: I live in Italy, and here we use shutters a lot (especially "roller shutters"). There are "anti theft" shutters, which are pretty nice and are a good defense which can substitute bars.
Great info Frogman. Layers of security. Light up the outside, without silhouetting yourselves inside. Have a fall back or Alamo room. No one knows your house better, in the dark, then you. Own it, and own the uninvited!!!
Yep, also be sure that everyone picks up after themselves. No shoes, toys,, or WHATEVER,,, left out on the floor. Keeps from having a trip hazard, especially carrying a firearm in the middle of the night (just awakened). I usually do a walk thru looking for potential hazards or issues before going to bed.
We just put up Blink 4 cameras all around our 6 acres. They work great, from our gate to our porch. IR also is excellent. I was hesitant because a 5 camera system is only 250.00.
I always liked changing out the garden beds underneath windows from mulch to gravel. Makes a lot of noise if someone is lurking close to your exterior walls and doesn’t fade like mulch each year.
Biggest and one of the most important things not mentioned here is a good Screen Door that way if you ever have to answer the door you have something between you and the person on the other side. And many other great pros.
Don't even open a door, go to a second floor window, if house is two story or one away from door someone is at. Open window and call out to them from there, messes OODA loop of possible thug at door. If they look out of place or have b.s. story call police asap, don't be shy about being assertive with some punk.
I've got a huge front window. My house has been broken into twice in one month. Both times they came through the door, luckily. A friend bought me deadbolts to put in the doors. I said absolutely not! If they can't get through the door they'll go through the huge window. I can patch or fix a wood door pretty cheap. That big a piece of glass is expensive, hard to transport and hard to install.
Great advic. My dog is my alarm systm. He barks and That is agreat deterrant. If the bark doesnt work the bite will. Also, leaving a Radio or TV on is a good deterant. Blackout drapes on every window keeps away the peeping toms as well. If they cant see in they dont know who is home.
Ok brother, good points, I'd like to add to the list please, is become friends with your neighbors, look out for each other, help each other, stay in touch, let them know if you are going away for the weekend, check on each others properly... more the better, and if suspicious activity is going on, post it up around town, let others know.. if you can expose theieves,they may back off,don't be a coward, protect your property and neighbors and neighborhood!!!
I just installed new motion lights on my house, and am considering what kind of cameras to install now. I installed steel security entry doors, but even those came with short screws. This need to be upgraded to long screws to go into the door jamb deeper to make it stronger. Additionally, you can install a door brace that acts as a bar to stop entry for the outside. Ugly, but it can help. I'm the future I want to install solar powered lights to light up the yard and shrubbery area at night. Illuminate hiding places. I've had an intruder plan in place since moving into the house. As my kids get older, they'll be told about the plan and where to go if they hear anything that scares them or they think someone is trying to get into the house.
Fishing line between the fish and the house on the weak side .Quality outdoor lights from dusk to dawn. Walk around the perimeter of your house at least every 2 weeks.
Super content. Thank you. Soon, you are going to be able to have a swarm of AI driven mini drones activated as soon as an intruder is detected within the perimeter. They can then "go after" the target with non lethal but very debilitating capabilities.
My property is fenced 1:04 and I have a privacy fence 6 foot tall. I have a gate solid with a steel latch. I have no trespassing signs and beware of dog signs at the gate. If trespassers with the intent to make a criminal act comes to my property makes it up to my porch and my dog bites them on my porch is that within my rights and my dogs right in texas
You should either replace your door hinges with security hinges or just buy some security pins for your current ones. It will make it very difficult to knock in your door and buy you extra time if someone is trying to enter that way. Simple and cheap way to really upgrade your home defense.
I was taught by an ex Sheriff that there are Rings of Security of personal protection around you. For the Home very secure doors and windows are imperative. One of the most under secured areas a burglar takes is an unlocked window in the Bathroom or Second floor. For forced entry not having one or more deadbolts and the mentioned 3" long deck screws that secure into the door studs. Wood doors are generally the least secure and are the worst for home insulation. The master bedroom is the target for burglars as this is where jewelry, cash, electronics or items for pawn can be had. Secure this door with a steel outer door if possible not a thin wood inner door.
Great stuff... I'm afraid I have to disagree with motion lights. At least with me, the visible spectrum seemed to increase the crime events after we installed them. After thinking a lot, we switched to motion-sensing IR flood with our motion-active security cameras. Now they have no clue I'm even watching them:)
Depending on the situations perhaps, but where I am, the brighter and wider the splay the better to deter many/most thieves. I experienced this too. We lacked outdoor lighting while the neighbors had strong lighting and we were the chosen target.
They have long steel or brass plates you can use to replace the strike plate, and covers for the latch. They have plastic bump guards that help prevent shimming. Whole kit should be less than $100. (Per door.) They have bolts that fit into the door, with pins that help stop door jamb spreaders. Watch a few videos on how locksmiths (and crooks) can enter your home, and you'll figure it out. Doesn't look like much, but you get close and realize it's a hardened doorway.
Love the info! I had an idea about extra security for windows - shrubs; specifically schrubs or bushes that are tough to move through and have thorns. These help make window entry nearly impossible without indepth pre-planning and tools designed to overcome that perimeter defense. 👍 It becomes alot of work to get past thorny, thick bushes.
A good idea is this: Set up an easy-to-see defense so when those who come within your perimeter, you'll have a better sense on their real intentions; and so will a jury. This can go a long way on proving defensive measures, if that is what is needed.
Love it man!!! Work in a hospital, security knows I'm a Ranger, have been asking me my thoughts. Not easy convincing civilian minded folks about security. Especially in a large building like a hospital.
You are not qualified to instruct people on home security measures. You work in a hospital and prior to that you served in a direct action unit. It has nothing to do with home security.
Thank you! We have solar spotlights and motion lights outside. Dowels in the windows. We need film on the windows and I need to harden 1 door. Great reminder!!
I'd love to hear from you guys about an outdoor alarm that makes enough noise to get the perpetrators thinking twice about continuing to try to break in. And some great brands of motion activated floodlights. I'm interested in preventing the lowlifes from entering than documenting everything and going to the police:see? They're in my bedroom!
New to your channel would be nice if you do a video on how to protect yourself in your home or safe guard your kids from someone who is entering or already in the home and you have a pistol rifle
Some great advice! I want to remind people that glass will always be your home's weakest link. The bottom line is that we live in a society were we MUST trust one another, and the very best defense is living in a good neighborhood and having good neighbors who have your back. That's why they say it's better to have the worst house in the best neighborhood than the best house in the worst neighborhood. The truth is that functionally nobody wants to break into anybody's occupied home. If they are caught...even if they haven't taken anything or harmed anyone...they'll spend DECADES in prison. We live in a worse world when everyone wrongly thinks that someone is out to get them. Cheers!
The screws you put on your door should also be a thicker screw and not just three inches long. If your long screw is not that thick it will still break easier than a thicker screw. Having a locked screen door will add a layer to the door entry. It will not stop them but still slow them down. If you have side windows by your front door you might want to reinforce them or layer them so popping out the colored plexiglass would be a harder job then what they are. Do not have it so people can look into your house to see what is in the house either. I also like the idea of a door alarm that goes off if the door is opened. That way if someone is slick enough to get in your house without busting the door down by working the locks the door alarm will still give you warning. The more you make your house look undesirable to break into the better. I have Alexa on my phone to control the essential lights in the house so I can control the lights from wherever I am. Having the lights on if the house is entered at night, I can turn them off from my room rendering them unable to see giving me the advantage. I have a second door in the house that I have locked too. After entering the front door I have a entry way but a second door that would have to be broken through to actually get inside.
If you're on good terms with your neighbour, talk to them. That's also useful to not get someone grumpy bei burning their retinas with your floodlights. They might have seen someone the cams didn't catch staking out the area. Of course, don't get paranoid. The probability of a break in is quite low but it's good to be prepared. While you're at it, have functioning fire extinguishers in your bedroom, and bigger ones somewhere central, learn how to use them and have them checked. Fires happen a lot more than break ins. Have emergency lines on speed dial on a small phone that is not your main phone on you is a good idea. Know all the medical relevant information of you and your loved ones.
There used to be little metal clips that sat on the window edging and had to be tightened on by screwing it on to prevent the window from being popped open. Don’t remember where I got them from, either Walmart or Home Depot probably, but they were a nice bit of added security and piece of mind. This was a couple of decades ago, so I’m not sure if anything like that is even sold still these days, but they were good to have on the windows. The only drawback was if there was a fire it might make it difficult to get off quickly to get out the window, there was no quick release on them.
Boards with nails driven thru them can be used as a defense tool. Turn them sharp side up, bury them a few inches in the ground under windows. Cover lightly with leaves, old grass clippings, etc...( don't forget where they are placed for your own protection)
i like the idea of that thing called the "night lock" it mounts to the floor and nobody's getting in that way, ive seen testing with battering rams the door will need to be ripped away to get through that thing . its just a little thing too
To keep my exterior doors from being kicked in, I added metal reinforcements to the door jambs. I got mine from Armor Concepts but there are also other companies. If you live alone and in a relatively safe area, you may just want to do this on your rear door. In case of a medical emergency, you want the police to be able to kick in your door.
Yeah. I just went to my local hardware store and bought two pieces of angle iron. 10 minutes with an angle grinder and drill, they were ready to fit the door frame on both sides, top to bottom fixed with 3inch marine grade medium tensile screws every 10”. I then remounted the door with the screws through the steel, into the door frame proper. Once painted, the reinforcement is not even visible. The door is two layers of tongue and groove 3/4” oak floorboard with a 1/2” marine ply ‘core’. My house is on 10-16’ posts, I don’t have any windows that are accessible without a good size ladder except from my deck, where the windows all have roller shutters which can be closed remotely through my security camera app on my phone.
Thank you! I’m 68, 4’ 9”, and have a mentally I’ll grown son who is psychotic. I’m going to evict him tomorrow (Monday), but he’s tried every window, kicked in my bedroom door, even though I put a bar on the knob, steals my meds, and it’s a freaking nightmare! I have a 15 lb dog, and he alerts, but he’s scared and huddled near me, shaking. This helps, but I need him out first. He just got out of jail and no one will take him in a rehab because he’s been charged with domestic violence! I’m so scared!
Suggestion from a 26 yr LEO: One of the many things you can do is put up "Beware of Dog" signs regardless if you have one or not. It may cause the crook to pass on your location. Thank you guys for the great content. Peace.
Great advice! That “quiet” dog that you think is there is the one to worry about - just how big and badass is that dig waiting on the other side if the fence? 😉
*dog
With a piece of bisteck the dog is not longer a concern.
The law can use a beware dog signs against you if someone trespassing gets bit so no trespassing signs are better don't just take my word for it look up the law in your state
@Mike A V And with a nuclear bomb and a mass murdering psycho behind the button, even million-dollar home defenses will fail. Yes, yes, yes, yes....🙄
To add. Added storm doors to my front and back, it helped delay a guy trying to break-in my backdoor while my wife and at time infant daughter was home alone and preventing them from being harmed. You might not be home to protect the once that are the most precious to you so 100% agree with Coch to harden your home.
Absolutely. It adds another lock and barrier, which worse case scenario will give your family another 10 seconds head start; best case scenario the inside door can be opened with out a sales man putting the foot in the way of the door and letting all the pets and kids escape (which happened to my mother in the early 1970's and she was really angry about having to chase 3 kids, a beagle and a cat down at 9 Am.
you mean shutters?
1. Really endorse having dogs.
2. Barking dogs discourage break-ins.
3. Barking dogs provide early warning of trespassers.
4. Barking dogs provide time to assess the situation & determine the proper response.
100%! So many people think the dog themselves are to protect and fight. They’re the best alarm system and they’re the bestest of friends. Lol
Especially when the dogs only bark when somebody intrudes into their territory...less false alarms.
Barking dogs are annoying, but not as annoying as criminals.
dude if someone has a weapon a dog is not stopping them…..
Our particular threat is sneaky, vicious, relentless & elusive. We have four small dogs; real barkers, a permanent order of restraint, security cameras, lights; we're armed to the teeth, yet a week ago, he cut the spark plugs in our car. It's not the first time he's tampered with someone's vehicle. Caught on camera, as I said.. He's terrorized multiple families in our neighborhood for years. There are charges against him for an unrelated violent assault. One man, on a bicycle, has gotten away with deadly criminal acts, caught on camera, documented, reported & "investigated", yet he continues to roam free, terrorizing innocent people. We do not hold a victim mentality; we're pro-active, we've done our due diligence. I believe our situation is similar to the national crisis we now face; which is pretty lofty of me to say.. Our best strategy is to be prepared. Godspeed, everyone.
I started my home protection journey when I moved back to Texas from Cali. My dad said “moving to SA, let me offer you a bit of advice” and proceeded to walk around my house pointing out every entry point. Then purchased me a FA, an alarm system, and a doorbell camera. Since then I’ve added motion lights, two big flood lights, swapped out the screws on every strike plate, panic button, glass break sensor, and three outdoor cameras, and two American Bulldogs. Friendly, but they bark which is what I need anyway. I thank god nothing I couldn’t control has happened. My wife thought I was crazy until she received several Nextdoor notifications about incidents that have happened less than five miles from us. Yeah it’s not complete and probably not the best. The idea is to build over time and figure out what’s best for your family. I love our system and my wife feels safe. Now my neighbors ask my dad for advice.
I live in Texas too. Do you know what your rights are if a trespasser with intent to go to crime private property and makes it to your porch and is bitten on your porch by your dog then run away
I lived downtown in a city for about a decade. Having a door stopper that wedges under the knob to the floor saved the day on a few occasions and gave peace of mind to my girlfriend when she was there alone. At night I have it fully wedged, completely bracing the door. During the day when/if someone knocked at the door I’d shorten the length one click which allowed me to crack the door a few inches. If they tried to push in it would jam up and stop anyone from squeezing through. That scenario happened twice btw.
Yeh, that doorstopper replaces alarm system, dogs, community alarm, cameras, weapons, a plan...MAN ARE YOU CRAZY??? I checked off 7 of the 8 steps proved by this video. The 8th is a plan... which unfortunately requires the cooperation of my wife. If a burglar cares to go against my home 360 degree home alarm, by community alarm, my 2 German Shepherds that are trained in protection, plus the arms that we have to protect ourselves..... BEST OF LUCK TO THEM.... because they will need it. Hurrah to your DOOR STOPPER!!!
If you’re in most of the southern half of the US, bougainvillea is a great plant for around vulnerable windows in lower floors and poorly lit areas. A season or two and it will have thorns the size of trim nails and it’s one more layer of protection. Might not stop someone, but sure as hell will slow them down if not cause them to yelp when they get stabbed and now you’ve got a few more seconds warning.
Yes great idea. Most thieves would need to know you have something extremely valuable before an attempt through living razor wire.
Downside is you have to trim it...ouch
It dies below 35 •F so I doubt we can grow that even in the south
Used to machine doors back in the day. Gotta remember, long screws and heavy hinges are only as good as what they bolt into. Most normal doors are made from pretty soft stuff and are often hollow. Know what you are buying.
This should be a weekly series. Do it on Wednesdays and call it "home defense hump day" lol
Excellent practical advice! Also adding longer screws or extended striker plate to the lock side of an entry door (with dead bolt, of course) greatly reduces the ability to pry, or kick in a door. Thanks, again!
Here are a couple of things I’ve told my folks… Almost every vehicle these days has the alarm function on its key fob. If you don’t have a home alarm system, you could trigger your car alarm from inside your home if you think/know there’s a threat outside. It’s better than nothing and may dissuade them. Also, and some may find this “iffy” lol ~ We all know how long it takes police to respond. This is just a fact of life in our country. I’m a fireman. If you just happen to dial 911 and tell them you think your house is on fire, we ARE coming. Much faster than the police on average. I’ve told my wife a thousand times… “If you think something is going on, you call the fire department when I’m not home”. No idiot with bad intent is going to hang out with the big red flashy truck pulling up and a bunch of men jumping off to help a woman. End of story.
Smart, no one thinks of that
A woman or just anyone for that matter.
Great tip!!!! My wife will appreciate knowing this when I am out of town.
Bring good hearted volunteers with little or no fight training to a violent situation with no warning?
Those are great! Tnx
I grew up with bars on the windows and gates on the doors. The best thing you can do for security in my opinion is, have some kind of rapport with at least 1 neighbor so you can look out for eachother when you're not home. 24 hour cameras linked to your phone is a nice option if you can afford it too.
A very strong option, after you replace the hinge screws - is a floor-mounted door barracade.
Both Nightlock and OnGard, are excellent brands. Look for videos: the floor barricades are tremendously strong.
As ex LE and a stay at home homeschooling mom while my husband works his tail off all day... I LOVE this kind of video! We have an English Mastiff and we both have extensive weapons training and hand to hand BUT our home does need more fortification as well as we have 3 toddlers and I'm currently pregnant. The comments are extremely helpful too! Thanks for this and I will be looking for more useful tips and tricks from you!
I agree with the reinforcing the door hinges but also reinforce the actual lock and deadbolts on all of the entry doors. Armor concepts has a kit for just about every door imagineable and it is very easy to install.
For the garage door make sure there is a slide lock that goes into the frame. Use it.
Turn off the power switch at night.
If your going away for an extended period of time put a big arse C-clamp in the frame where the wheels go. Put a lock through the slide bolt, turn off the power to garage door opener.
Exit and lock up through the front door. Never leave a spare key anywhere outside. Inform only a trusted neighbor about your time away.
If this tip prevents one avoidable theft I'll be a happy camper.
The 3" deck screws for the doors are on point!! As a home builder, I do just this on every install. The screws that come with it are trash.
@@christinejones5237 Great to see a builder that cares.Very cool.😎👊
I also put heavy objects such as my large snake tanks on the inside of the easiest to get into Windows of my house. The other windows are higher up on my house. Like you said, layers of security. It doesn't make your home impenetrable but it's little things that will buy you time and make it harder for someone to get in and maybe move on to a softer target. Great video.
Always good stuff from Coch and TH. I would add: Don’t post on social media, etc. when you are out of town/away from your home. Use “vacation hold” for mail at the post office when you are away. Not letting newspapers (if anyone still gets those delivered 😉) pile up at your front door, and consider having a TV or radio and a few interior lights that are on timers for when you are away to create an illusion that someone may be home. Re: plan if someone breaks in when you and your family are at home - who is in charge meaning who leads, who follows, who shelters in place, etc. and your “comms plan” - how you call 911 and how you communicate with each other. Looking forwarding to the next nugget from Coch and all the filks at TH.
Have you seen the tv fakers? It's a box you plug into an outlet that has rbg leds that flicker like a tv that you can set for certain times of day. Looks like you're home watching tv.
My home security for outside is "see profile pic" LOL He will let me know & stop someone is within 100yards of my house!! Plus, we have fences and cameras. Thank you for the great advice! Oh yeah the door screws are a must!!
A friend lived in a multi-family house in Brooklyn. He had been burgled many times so he bought a high security door that had six bolts that came out aroiund the door to secure it. He came home one day to find that they cut a hole in the wall next to his door and got in. If they want in they'll find a way.
Americans are so funny. Buying high security doors for their paper houses 😂
@@kint5ugee It's like building a wall but people can just swim or dig around lol
Thank you for the tips. One of my best friends was murdered in his backyard 12 years ago. The assailant hid in the shadows of his backyard until he came out and shot him. A dog, motion lights, and cameras would have saved his life that night.
Dogs are awesome. They hear everything, way before I do.
They bark and scare the trap out of people. They're not mean or overly aggressive,, but you can't beat dogs for security.
Great idea for a farm, but most neighbors hate noisy dogs.
Frogman knowledge is always needed. Thank you for sharing.
For the hinges, be sure to install structural screws for a high shear rating. Most screws, such as deck screws, are made with only clamping force in mind. Someone trying to kick in a door is likely applying substantial shear force to the hinges, which might break a deck screw.
Boards with nails driven thru them can be used as a defense tool. Turn them sharp side up, bury them a few inches in the ground under windows. Cover lightly with leaves, old grass clippings, etc...( don't forget where they are placed for your own protection)
I would say to lock your master bedroom door and then put a door stop alarm behind it. if the bad guy manages to get through a door stop and 120db ringing through your ears from 10 ft away, you're mostly likely already up with your firearm ready to go
100% My German Shepherd turned 1 a couple weeks ago and he's a beast
@@MPGunther1 got a German shepard
If you buy a house. Change the wood depending on how old the house is. It could be rotten, possibly already gone through a robbery. If you see possible sign. Get a piece of metal make it the length of the height of the door, cut out where the dead bolt and lower knob goes into wall. Route out the wall screw it down. The metal won't bust out like the wood would if kicked in. The longer it takes for a criminal to get in . He may give up and leave. Or gives you more time to get your weapon.
Having my first apartment, I loved the fact that my dog would bark anytime someone was coming to my door. She was correct so often that I started giving her props for it lmao. Let me know having a dog for my first home is a MUST!
...and if you have a dog, stop telling him to shut up every time he warns you of danger. Instead, say, "Good Dog!"
@@CornerTalker big 1
There's a good video testing different ways to slowly reinforce your doors. The weakest part is the door knob area where it goes into the frame. Replace the frame area where the latch is for the door knob/handle area, simply adding long screws so the little metal plate in the door frame Is secured to the studs in the wall works amazing. This is also one of the reasons breech operation teams will target the door bolt and latch with the big door rammer; they know the avg door isn't secured there.
The next weakest part was mentioned in the video, the hinge screws are too short to reach the stud in the wall like the one I mentioned above.
Etc.
I’ll be moving into my first home next week, and will live alone. I’ve already got the fire extinguishers and fire blankets. Now, I have to think about facing the fear of potential break ins. It’s daunting, but I know it’s essential! Haven’t really read anyone suggesting rope ladders. I’m thinking I’ll have one in my bedroom ready to climb out the window. I could get out, and get to my car. Of course, on top of other measures. I’d love to have a dog, but it’s a huge commitment.
Quick tip, when replacing those screws in the hinges, be sure to pilot the holes with the appropriate drill bit. Odds are you wouldnt split the wood inside the frame, but if you did you wouldnt know it until someone kicked it in. Better to take 20 seconds and be safe
Good info. Like "Ah Chu" pointed out, long screws on the strike side/lock side are important as well. From a production standpoint, unless the video in the background is from the Sheriff's Office alerting the neighborhood to a perv roaming the streets, I'd recommend something that isn't distracting and taking focus away from what's being presented. A simple picture or scene is preferable. If you're trying to promote something, use a "card" or link in the description. Also, links to the materials you mentioned would be helpful. Thanks.
Leaving a radio on to talk radio. People hear voices and think someone's home or just fell asleep with a tv on. Interior lights on a timer, if your away lights are still on.
Fence
Lights
Cameras
Dogs
Solid door, 3in hinge deck screws
Windows blocked from opening by pvc pipe stopping it from sliding open
Maintain your security system
Have a plan
Firearm last resort
Perfect
@Bryan Anderson Perfect, yes, but I want to ask one thing; Should a 'hidden room' be added to that list?
Could be fake stories, but we all hear accounts where the murderous intruders were caught
because the family was hiding in a well concealed panic room, dialing the cops or loading a pistol kept there.
I kinda like the idea of a well hidden secret room ! Any thoughts anyone?...
@@bentonrp Too expensive and impractical...also a waste of space 99.999% of the time. Why hide in a secret room when you can just run away also? You can also hide in any room, hidden or not... most burglars aren't looking to engage you, they just want to steal and get out quickly. If someone obviously wants to kill you, well, then, you probably have bigger issues to worry about.
Thanks for putting up the summary list!! Appreciate it!
Firearm first resort ever seen law abiding citizen
All natural hedges can be nice looking and pretty nasty. Osage Orange forms a dense, thorny hedge although maybe too nasty for some. Blackberry forms an extremely unwelcome hedge which can provide edible treats. Neither are difficult to establish but need maintenance which often causes boo boos. There are others like roses to plant underneath windows for beauty and repellency. Or be a man and just crap all around your house continually.
A funny story about blackberries. We were moving cattle for a few days in the high counrty and ran out of food. Dumb-ass kids. But anyway we found some blackberry bushes.
I convinced my buddy those berries were poisonous. I ate them all when he wasn't looking. HEY, I'M NOT PROUD OF IT.........lol.
Dont like the wireless internet dependent cams. Tried them. Got rid of it. Ive wired three houses with hardwired alarm systems, cams and DVR. Going back to that. I'm going to build a house with concrete walls, steel doors and steel door jams and "riot glass". If i can afford ballistic glass, I'll do it. 8ft perimeter fence with the "Iron Clad" fence alarm system. Closer around the house and gardens I'll use the "Voice Alert System 6". It previously was an American company, but was purchased by a South African company called Drongo. They've improved the system and it is outstanding, BUT, they have to ship it to you from South Africa. Expensive, but worth it. Paint any white plastic green. Camouflage and conceal everything. Build a concealed safe room in the house, that can be secured with you inside. Have your cam system DVR and tv in there so you can see the cams. Put cam in the house. Dont forget the guns of course! Good luck and have fun! It's alot of fun building it and getting everything in place.
Don’t use wireless for security related equipment. WiFi jammers are cheap and readily available, and thieves around here who mean business have started carrying them. Especially car thieves (who will break into your home to get the keys.
We’ve started replacing the glass on the ground floor with triple pane glass… mostly for noise insulation, but as it turns out it also offers good protection against people trying to break in. Reinforcing the doors is next. The hard part is replacing or strengthening the door jamb, that’s usually the part that breaks when someone kicks in the door.
Thanks for the interesting video! I just wanted to add a suggestion: I live in Italy, and here we use shutters a lot (especially "roller shutters"). There are "anti theft" shutters, which are pretty nice and are a good defense which can substitute bars.
Great info Frogman. Layers of security. Light up the outside, without silhouetting yourselves inside. Have a fall back or Alamo room. No one knows your house better, in the dark, then you. Own it, and own the uninvited!!!
Yep, also be sure that everyone picks up after themselves. No shoes, toys,, or WHATEVER,,, left out on the floor. Keeps from having a trip hazard, especially carrying a firearm in the middle of the night (just awakened). I usually do a walk thru looking for potential hazards or issues before going to bed.
We just put up Blink 4 cameras all around our 6 acres. They work great, from our gate to our porch. IR also is excellent. I was hesitant because a 5 camera system is only 250.00.
I always liked changing out the garden beds underneath windows from mulch to gravel. Makes a lot of noise if someone is lurking close to your exterior walls and doesn’t fade like mulch each year.
Biggest and one of the most important things not mentioned here is a good Screen Door that way if you ever have to answer the door you have something between you and the person on the other side. And many other great pros.
Don't answer the door without a gun in your hand. And don't answer it at all at night.
Don't even open a door, go to a second floor window, if house is two story or one away from door someone is at. Open window and call out to them from there, messes OODA loop of possible thug at door. If they look out of place or have b.s. story call police asap, don't be shy about being assertive with some punk.
They are GOING TO get in. The idea is to make it as hard as possible for them. Most crooks are lazy and impatient.
and make it appear hard as possible, and unattractive, leave an old beater on the driveway as not to advertise your wealth
I've got a huge front window. My house has been broken into twice in one month. Both times they came through the door, luckily. A friend bought me deadbolts to put in the doors. I said absolutely not! If they can't get through the door they'll go through the huge window. I can patch or fix a wood door pretty cheap. That big a piece of glass is expensive, hard to transport and hard to install.
Most of us have heard these types of tips, but it means so much more coming from you Sir. Thank you Coch!
Thank you for Serving our country and making great content to share with us!
Great advic. My dog is my alarm systm. He barks and That is agreat deterrant. If the bark doesnt work the bite will. Also, leaving a Radio or TV on is a good deterant. Blackout drapes on every window keeps away the peeping toms as well. If they cant see in they dont know who is home.
Ok brother, good points, I'd like to add to the list please, is become friends with your neighbors, look out for each other, help each other, stay in touch, let them know if you are going away for the weekend, check on each others properly... more the better, and if suspicious activity is going on, post it up around town, let others know.. if you can expose theieves,they may back off,don't be a coward, protect your property and neighbors and neighborhood!!!
I just installed new motion lights on my house, and am considering what kind of cameras to install now. I installed steel security entry doors, but even those came with short screws. This need to be upgraded to long screws to go into the door jamb deeper to make it stronger.
Additionally, you can install a door brace that acts as a bar to stop entry for the outside. Ugly, but it can help.
I'm the future I want to install solar powered lights to light up the yard and shrubbery area at night. Illuminate hiding places.
I've had an intruder plan in place since moving into the house. As my kids get older, they'll be told about the plan and where to go if they hear anything that scares them or they think someone is trying to get into the house.
Fishing line between the fish and the house on the weak side .Quality outdoor lights from dusk to dawn. Walk around the perimeter of your house at least every 2 weeks.
I've also reinforced my kids bedroom doors, if they hear something going down they know to shelter in place till I give the all clear.
Use LED dusk to dawn security lights. Motion lights tend to get dismissed like car alarms. Always have your house perimeter lit up.
Super content. Thank you. Soon, you are going to be able to have a swarm of AI driven mini drones activated as soon as an intruder is detected within the perimeter. They can then "go after" the target with non lethal but very debilitating capabilities.
Great basic video for beginners. Thanks!
My property is fenced 1:04 and I have a privacy fence 6 foot tall. I have a gate solid with a steel latch. I have no trespassing signs and beware of dog signs at the gate. If trespassers with the intent to make a criminal act comes to my property makes it up to my porch and my dog bites them on my porch is that within my rights and my dogs right in texas
You should either replace your door hinges with security hinges or just buy some security pins for your current ones. It will make it very difficult to knock in your door and buy you extra time if someone is trying to enter that way. Simple and cheap way to really upgrade your home defense.
Excellent idea...pvc in vertical opening windows
I was taught by an ex Sheriff that there are Rings of Security of personal protection around you.
For the Home very secure doors and windows are imperative.
One of the most under secured areas a burglar takes is an unlocked window in the Bathroom or Second floor.
For forced entry not having one or more deadbolts and the mentioned 3" long deck screws that secure into the door studs.
Wood doors are generally the least secure and are the worst for home insulation.
The master bedroom is the target for burglars as this is where jewelry, cash, electronics or items for pawn can be had.
Secure this door with a steel outer door if possible not a thin wood inner door.
Great stuff... I'm afraid I have to disagree with motion lights. At least with me, the visible spectrum seemed to increase the crime events after we installed them. After thinking a lot, we switched to motion-sensing IR flood with our motion-active security cameras. Now they have no clue I'm even watching them:)
Can you explain the difference? It sounds the same when I read. Is there an item you can recommend? Thank you!
Depending on the situations perhaps, but where I am, the brighter and wider the splay the better to deter many/most thieves. I experienced this too. We lacked outdoor lighting while the neighbors had strong lighting and we were the chosen target.
They have long steel or brass plates you can use to replace the strike plate, and covers for the latch. They have plastic bump guards that help prevent shimming. Whole kit should be less than $100. (Per door.) They have bolts that fit into the door, with pins that help stop door jamb spreaders. Watch a few videos on how locksmiths (and crooks) can enter your home, and you'll figure it out. Doesn't look like much, but you get close and realize it's a hardened doorway.
Thanks so much Coch for the content, I truly appreciate what you put out to us ! God bless you sir!!
Love the info!
I had an idea about extra security for windows - shrubs; specifically schrubs or bushes that are tough to move through and have thorns.
These help make window entry nearly impossible without indepth pre-planning and tools designed to overcome that perimeter defense. 👍
It becomes alot of work to get past thorny, thick bushes.
Bushes might damage your foundation
Bushes also conceal them when they're working.
And would imped your emergency exit if you need to via those windows.
Yes thick bushes deterred thieves from our windows.
A good idea is this:
Set up an easy-to-see defense so when those who come within your perimeter, you'll have a better sense on their real intentions; and so will a jury.
This can go a long way on proving defensive measures, if that is what is needed.
Love it man!!! Work in a hospital, security knows I'm a Ranger, have been asking me my thoughts. Not easy convincing civilian minded folks about security. Especially in a large building like a hospital.
You are not qualified to instruct people on home security measures. You work in a hospital and prior to that you served in a direct action unit. It has nothing to do with home security.
Thank you! We have solar spotlights and motion lights outside. Dowels in the windows. We need film on the windows and I need to harden 1 door. Great reminder!!
I'd love to hear from you guys about an outdoor alarm that makes enough noise to get the perpetrators thinking twice about continuing to try to break in. And some great brands of motion activated floodlights. I'm interested in preventing the lowlifes from entering than documenting everything and going to the police:see? They're in my bedroom!
Thank you once again Coch. Awesome video 🙏
New to your channel would be nice if you do a video on how to protect yourself in your home or safe guard your kids from someone who is entering or already in the home and you have a pistol rifle
Some great advice! I want to remind people that glass will always be your home's weakest link. The bottom line is that we live in a society were we MUST trust one another, and the very best defense is living in a good neighborhood and having good neighbors who have your back. That's why they say it's better to have the worst house in the best neighborhood than the best house in the worst neighborhood. The truth is that functionally nobody wants to break into anybody's occupied home. If they are caught...even if they haven't taken anything or harmed anyone...they'll spend DECADES in prison. We live in a worse world when everyone wrongly thinks that someone is out to get them. Cheers!
The screws you put on your door should also be a thicker screw and not just three inches long. If your long screw is not that thick it will still break easier than a thicker screw. Having a locked screen door will add a layer to the door entry. It will not stop them but still slow them down. If you have side windows by your front door you might want to reinforce them or layer them so popping out the colored plexiglass would be a harder job then what they are. Do not have it so people can look into your house to see what is in the house either. I also like the idea of a door alarm that goes off if the door is opened. That way if someone is slick enough to get in your house without busting the door down by working the locks the door alarm will still give you warning. The more you make your house look undesirable to break into the better. I have Alexa on my phone to control the essential lights in the house so I can control the lights from wherever I am. Having the lights on if the house is entered at night, I can turn them off from my room rendering them unable to see giving me the advantage. I have a second door in the house that I have locked too. After entering the front door I have a entry way but a second door that would have to be broken through to actually get inside.
If you're on good terms with your neighbour, talk to them. That's also useful to not get someone grumpy bei burning their retinas with your floodlights. They might have seen someone the cams didn't catch staking out the area. Of course, don't get paranoid. The probability of a break in is quite low but it's good to be prepared. While you're at it, have functioning fire extinguishers in your bedroom, and bigger ones somewhere central, learn how to use them and have them checked. Fires happen a lot more than break ins. Have emergency lines on speed dial on a small phone that is not your main phone on you is a good idea. Know all the medical relevant information of you and your loved ones.
Thanks Coch. Appreciate this topic.
All great advice; the best is have a plan!
You guys come up with some good shit thank you,, these days it's really needed
Thanks for sharing with us.
Wood screws into the frame around the deadbolt helps maintain frame strength if being kicked.
There used to be little metal clips that sat on the window edging and had to be tightened on by screwing it on to prevent the window from being popped open. Don’t remember where I got them from, either Walmart or Home Depot probably, but they were a nice bit of added security and piece of mind. This was a couple of decades ago, so I’m not sure if anything like that is even sold still these days, but they were good to have on the windows. The only drawback was if there was a fire it might make it difficult to get off quickly to get out the window, there was no quick release on them.
Many homes in Panama have fences with large shards of glass concreted into them to prevent people climbing over them.
Very good stuff. I’m there now. Got it all.
Thorn bushes by windows outside helps
Boards with nails driven thru them can be used as a defense tool. Turn them sharp side up, bury them a few inches in the ground under windows. Cover lightly with leaves, old grass clippings, etc...( don't forget where they are placed for your own protection)
nice video, thank you 😊
Excellent video! Also have a good rapport with your neighbors. They are your eyes and ears!
i like the idea of that thing called the "night lock" it mounts to the floor and nobody's getting in that way, ive seen testing with battering rams the door will need to be ripped away to get through that thing . its just a little thing too
Very timely presentation! Coch…please more of the same.
Very helpful ! Got many ideas
Like to see more videos of these..my city started an neighbor crime watch & I'm needing ideas
Storm shutters/window covers.
Storm/security doors.
BZ Mark - Great tips - PTZ cameras are very useful and affordable nowadays and can be connected to your mobile.
Thank you for your suggestion. They are very valuable. 👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
They have a door security kit with hinge and lockplate reinforcement.
Window security film. And lock pins, plus independent vibration alarms
I actually like the bars in the windows for ground level
Keep it up. Show some well implemented layers from the street to the house.
Great advice, Thank you!
Do you have any suggestions for the personal apartment security system?
To keep my exterior doors from being kicked in, I added metal reinforcements to the door jambs. I got mine from Armor Concepts but there are also other companies.
If you live alone and in a relatively safe area, you may just want to do this on your rear door. In case of a medical emergency, you want the police to be able to kick in your door.
Yeah. I just went to my local hardware store and bought two pieces of angle iron. 10 minutes with an angle grinder and drill, they were ready to fit the door frame on both sides, top to bottom fixed with 3inch marine grade medium tensile screws every 10”. I then remounted the door with the screws through the steel, into the door frame proper. Once painted, the reinforcement is not even visible.
The door is two layers of tongue and groove 3/4” oak floorboard with a 1/2” marine ply ‘core’. My house is on 10-16’ posts, I don’t have any windows that are accessible without a good size ladder except from my deck, where the windows all have roller shutters which can be closed remotely through my security camera app on my phone.
Plant cactus under the windows
In South Africa folks plant thorny bushes around homes and businesses. It's more effective than Constantine wire and it's beautiful.
Thank you! I’m 68, 4’ 9”, and have a mentally I’ll grown son who is psychotic. I’m going to evict him tomorrow (Monday), but he’s tried every window, kicked in my bedroom door, even though I put a bar on the knob, steals my meds, and it’s a freaking nightmare! I have a 15 lb dog, and he alerts, but he’s scared and huddled near me, shaking. This helps, but I need him out first. He just got out of jail and no one will take him in a rehab because he’s been charged with domestic violence! I’m so scared!
I hope everything works out for you. You have already shown you are going to deal with this. Buy a protection dog if you can.
Great advice! Thank you for sharing from your real world experiences!
Long screws on the door hinges are good. Steel security doors are better.