Ideas to increase home security?

karen2508 · February 2010

So, I posted earlier about the tax credit stuff, because DH got pretty upset this morning about the safety of our neighborhood. We live in what I'd consider north-central Austin. We're between mopac and 35, just south of 183. The security of our neighborhood doesn't bother me. We live on a pretty safe/nice street, and the streets adjacent to us are also ok. Some adjacent areas are a little sketchy, but that happens everywhere. DH, however, feels like, for what our house costs us, he should feel safer leaving for work every morning.

We already have an alarm (and none of the Home break-ins in our area have had alarms). I don't think we can afford to move. Plus, I love our house and I love the location-enough that I can look past the occasional bag lady, and not go jogging or whatever outside after sun down (which I'd also avoid if I lived in the burbs). What else should we consider doing to increase security? More motion-sensor lights? Cameras? I feel like all of this is just silly, but DH seems pretty upset, so I really want to have some good suggestions for him. Thanks!

Jess.O · February 2010

I think the idea of a motion sensor light is good. Cameras might be really expensive and if you're not there to see what's on them it doesn't seem (to me) like it would be worth it. I don't know if it would do any good but maybe you could put a beware of dog sign up. Also, you could probably call either your security company and/or the police and ask for ideas. Good luck...it sucks that your DH isn't feeling safe at his own home.

genniemg · February 2010

If you have bushes around your windows make sure they stay trimmed. My parents planted pointy ones when I was a kid (but took them out when I was older Wink )

The beware of dog sign is a good idea as is a motion sensor light. Make sure your lights are on and working on the exterior of your house. Some of my neighbors leave theirs off and I can't even see their front door.

Leigha12 · February 2010

Another thing you can do is timer activated lights for when you're out of town, or gone for the evening. Depending on how much of your living room can be seen from the front windows/door, you can set whatever you like to go on and off at a certain time to make it look like someone is home.

FireChiefsBride · February 2010

Leigha12:
Another thing you can do is timer activated lights for when you're out of town, or gone for the evening. Depending on how much of your living room can be seen from the front windows/door, you can set whatever you like to go on and off at a certain time to make it look like someone is home.

We use these year-round as well.

Also, if your house is monitored, be sure to have a sign indicating such in your front yard.

ditzydi_2000 · February 2010

I think the motion sensor light would be good. Most times, just having a security system sign or stickers on your house will usually turn off a potential robber. I think the same goes for a security camera that doesn't even really have to be connected to anything. We actually hooked up a webcam to a laptop next to our front door when we had some pesky kids ringing our bell and running off. We were able to catch the little punks in the act and put up a sign on our doorbell with their picture on it threatening to turn it over to their parents, the HOA and the police. They quickly stopped messing with us.

ashleym32 · February 2010

We had one of the TC Sheriffs come to our HOA meeting and the things he recommended were alarm systems, cameras, and listening to your dog. (meaning don't run out and get a dog per se, but if you have a dog and it's barking at something outside, check it out instead of just assuming it's a raccoon or something)

He said if you have an alarm system, call them and see about the cost of their cameras because it was well worth the money. According to him, the ones from Lowes and Home Depot are too grainy to be worth it. If your H is 'tech-y' Costco sells really nice security camera sets that you can install yourself and monitor from the little monitor they give you, or online. They store a couple weeks worth of recordings so if anything happens you can go back and get the footage. We got ours from Costco, the brand is Lorex and they're very clear.

If you have an HOA I think a pretty common restriction is no motion sensored (flood type) lights, just FYI.

MrsRedRaiderGirl · February 2010

You guys live just north of us. In our area, it is a little safer, but we do still have petty crimes and breakins in our area.
We did have our front door busted and tv taken about 3 yrs ago at the house so we made a few changes after that:
1) If your house is old like ours, we didn't have deadbolts. That's an easy target for someone wanting a quick breakin. We added deadbolts after the breakin.
2) When we leave town, we leave a car in the driveway. We don't have attached garages in our section of town, so it is easy to see when people aren't there. If we're taking both cars, we have a neighbor or a friend park in the driveway to make it look like someone's still around. We also do lights on timers.
3) When we are home, we park in the driveway at night. All of the car breakins/vandalism have been to cars parked on the street, so we stay off the street .

gwynnetx · February 2010

here're two articles that have simple, basic ways to burglar proof your house:

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/preventingburglaries

http://www.googobits.com/articles/2657-easy-ways-to-burglar-proof-your-home.html

also, make sure you're not leaving anything outside that a burglar could use to gain access to your home. bricks for smashing windows, tool handles (rakes, etc.) can be used to break glass, tree branches too close to the house can sometimes be used to climb, etc. and close curtains when you're not home so burglars can't see what you have to steal. house burglars tend to want to avoid confrontation and are less likely to try and break in if 1) there's no cover, 2) it's going to take a while to get into your house, and 3) they think someone's home.

MrsMillerTime · February 2010

Have your alarm company install more window sensors to cover all the windows on the ground floor (if they aren't already protected).

Install deadbolts on all doors...the kind that you have to use a key on the outside & inside are good because someone couldn't just bust a window and undo the lock.

Motion sensor lights outside...particularly covering the parts of your yard where the fence meets the house (where a burglar would most likely hop the fence) and the back door.

Have your exterior lights on a timer.

Keep your brushes & trees trimmed.

When you are out of town, get a neighbor to pick up the paper and/or collect the flyers that are left on the doorstep.

Make sure you have blinds/shades on all windows/doors and make sure they are all drawn at night.

ssinca · February 2010

if you have windows that slide horizontally (instead of up and down), insert dowels in the window sill so someone can't just slide open a window. hopefully this makes sense! I found this website that might explain it a bit better:

http://bohemianrevolution.com/use-a-dowel-stick-to-secure-windows-against-intruders/

Ideas to increase home security?

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