Home Security Advice...

Cartus

Cartus

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,874
Name
Tim
Edit My Images
Yes
I'm concerned about 'home security' but tend to be the opposite of paranoid. I recently affixed a secure lock to my (remote from the house) garage after having it broken into and a couple of bikes nicked. I need to be more 'pro-active'.

I own and live in a three bedroom house which I have refurbished over the past four years. There is an alarm installed in the house but it looks ancient and I have no idea about it although the room sensors flash on/off etc. It appears to 'function' but is useless to all intents etc.

There's an old bell box on the front of the house.

I'm of the opinion that the greatest value of a home alarm system is as a deterrent, i.e. a flashing yellow box indicating the house is 'alarmed'. Why not just have a dummy box? Occasionally a neighbours house alarm will go off. If I'm around I will walk over and have a look but I wouldn't get out of bed to do so...does anyone pay any attention to them?

I wonder what I might sensibly do without getting carried away and worrying unnecessarily, at the moment there's mostly someone in the house most of the time but that could change a bit in future.
 
I'm no burglar :) but I would be looking to see whether the bellbox is one from a local security company. Something that looks maintained and not just bought as a fake from eBay. Then again I'm not sure whether your average burglar is smart enough for that.

If you say your alarm doesn't work albeit the sensors react. I would get a local security company in to do a review, service the system. And check out whether it can be extended to include outbuildings.

I'd also review whether you've got security or motion triggered flood lighting for your outbuilding.

And yes I do get out of bed to check our neighbours house or car.
 
Cartus said:
I recently affixed a secure lock to my (remote from the house) garage
Click to expand...
I need to do this, starting to accumulate some fishing kit now and it aint that cheap. What sort of lock did you use may I ask? Thanks
 
Cartus said:
I bought one of these, it seems more or less foolproof...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230380477181?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Click to expand...
Thanks

Is that for an up and over door? I have double wooden "normal" doors. My "garage" (More large brick shed, with tiled pitched roof, big enough for a car but driveway to narrow to get car to it) also has a fairly large double glazed window at one side which is a bit unfortunate as a determined thief could just stove that in I guess.
 
DorsetDude said:
Thanks

Is that for an up and over door? I have double wooden "normal" doors. My "garage" (More large brick shed, with tiled pitched roof, big enough for a car but driveway to narrow to get car to it) also has a fairly large double glazed window at one side which is a bit unfortunate as a determined thief could just stove that in I guess.
Click to expand...
I'd get a decent hasp and staple (one that has bolts that go through the doors, not just screws) and a heavy duty padlock. Not a lot you can do about the window, maybe put some bars or a grille across the inside?

Edit: you could just put some stick-on film on the inside of the glass to obscure it. If nobody can see what's inside the garage, they might not bother trying to break in.
 
Last edited:
boogie man said:
you could just put some stick-on film on the inside of the glass to obscure it. If nobody can see what's inside the garage, they might not bother trying to break in.
Click to expand...
I have some film (supposed to reflect heat) I bought for the conservatory left over, that might work, good call on that! thanks. :clap::kiss:

Decent hasp sounds good too. Id also/instead like a normal round handle with keyhole lock so I can leave the door closed but unlocked when Im working in the garden, save the wind banging it about.
 
Make it as difficult as possible for thieves to approach the areas of invasion is the best advice.
Fence with locked gate to gain access to the rear of your property.

Visible security lights and CCTV even a good fake one will stop most thieves taking a chance.
 
Mr Bump said:
Make it as difficult as possible for thieves to approach the areas of invasion is the best advice.
Fence with locked gate to gain access to the rear of your property.
Click to expand...
Yes, do have metal gates across the drive padlocked.

Mr Bump said:
Visible security lights and CCTV even a good fake one will stop most thieves taking a chance.
Click to expand...
Fake CCTV sounds reasonable. Although I often wonder if burglars see all the alarms, cctv etc they must think "ooh he must have some valuable stuff in there..."
 
jondc said:
Big scary dog changes the mind of the average Joe looking for an opportunity.
Click to expand...
Or dog that sounds big and scary. Our chocolate Labrador sounds really aggressive if anyone comes near the house, but he'd probably lick you to death.
 
jondc said:
Big scary dog changes the mind of the average Joe looking for an opportunity.
Click to expand...

and s***s all over the place and annoys everyone with its constant barking.
 
I suggest getting a reputable company to inspect the existing alarm system to confirm that it's serviceable and fit for purpose. You should also check whether it can be monitored, and what response is available. That's the first step.

It's difficult to secure a garage against a determined intruder, but relatively easy to deter an opportunist thief. You want to make it time consuming and noisy to break in, and increase the risk of detection for the criminal. Find out if you can fit a passive infra red sensor inside the garage, connected wirelessly to the control panel and siren in the house; and secure the window with a steel grille. Fit it inside if you can, or weld/burr any mounting bolts if they're outside. Secure the doors with a good hasp/staple bolted through the door (weld/burr the bolt heads too) and a close shackle padlock, and fit long, strong, bolts top and bottom going deeply into the frame and floor on the inside of one of the doors.

CCTV is good to have, particularly if you can monitor it on your phone, but mount the camera visibly and where it's inaccessible to an intruder. A dummy might do, if it's realistic.

Dogs can provide good security, up to a point, but need exercise, affection and attention. I don't normally recommend them unless you actually want to share your life with one, and holidays/absences can present a problem.
 
MartynK said:
I suggest getting a reputable company to inspect the existing alarm system to confirm that it's serviceable and fit for purpose. You should also check whether it can be monitored, and what response is available. That's the first step.

It's difficult to secure a garage against a determined intruder, but relatively easy to deter an opportunist thief. You want to make it time consuming and noisy to break in, and increase the risk of detection for the criminal. Find out if you can fit a passive infra red sensor inside the garage, connected wirelessly to the control panel and siren in the house; and secure the window with a steel grille. Fit it inside if you can, or weld/burr any mounting bolts if they're outside. Secure the doors with a good hasp/staple bolted through the door (weld/burr the bolt heads too) and a close shackle padlock, and fit long, strong, bolts top and bottom going deeply into the frame and floor on the inside of one of the doors.

CCTV is good to have, particularly if you can monitor it on your phone, but mount the camera visibly and where it's inaccessible to an intruder. A dummy might do, if it's realistic.

Dogs can provide good security, up to a point, but need exercise, affection and attention. I don't normally recommend them unless you actually want to share your life with one, and holidays/absences can present a problem.
Click to expand...
Thanks Martyn, that all sounds good advice to me, I will contact a local company I think and take it from there. (y)
 
According to ADT sales person sitting leisurely in my kitchen, 97% of burglars they surveyed say they'll not consider rob a house with yellow ADT alarm box. The sales person then proceeded to ask for some absurd figure for hardware rental fee and monitor service.

So I did what a normal person would do: show the sale person the door and told him I purchased the house with contents, which happen to have the yellow ADT alarm box (and system) attached in front of the house. I didn't sign anything with ADT so I am under no obligation to hand them back the ADT hardware in my house. If they come to remove it, it's trespassing. Yet according to them it will deter 97% of burglars. Sounds good enough for me :D
 
wuyanxu said:
According to ADT sales person sitting leisurely in my kitchen, 97% of burglars they surveyed say they'll not consider rob a house with yellow ADT alarm box. The sales person then proceeded to ask for some absurd figure for hardware rental fee and monitor service.

So I did what a normal person would do: show the sale person the door and told him I purchased the house with contents, which happen to have the yellow ADT alarm box (and system) attached in front of the house. I didn't sign anything with ADT so I am under no obligation to hand them back the ADT hardware in my house. If they come to remove it, it's trespassing. Yet according to them it will deter 97% of burglars. Sounds good enough for me :D
Click to expand...
I'm sorry Wuyan, did you already have the ADT system installed when the sales person called? Are you saying you feel the presence of an ADT bell box acts as a sufficient deterrent for you?
 
Put down stone chips on your drive. Burglars don't like making a noise and you'll hear anyone coming if you are in the back garden.
Holly and prickly bushes deter unwanted visitors coming over walls and fences.

Chicken wire put over the inside of the window makes it more difficult to get in that way.

Anything that slows down or makes life difficult for unwanted visitors is a good idea.
 
Cartus said:
Thanks Martyn, that all sounds good advice to me, I will contact a local company I think and take it from there. (y)
Click to expand...

Sure. By all means post again if you want to take this further. My background is corporate security risk management in South Africa, and I offer this sort of advice to clients executives and any employees considered to be particularly vulnerable. I just extracted what I thought would be appropriate in a UK situation, because residential security in SA is based on very different threat/risk exposures.

I wouldn't give too much credence to sales prattle and claims that 97% (or whatever) of burglars are frightened off by a particular company's logo. It's completely implausible and I can't see how it could be verified.
 
OldCarlos said:
Aye, much tougher out there. :wideyed: Flamethrowers? etc :D
Click to expand...

Believe it or not, someone developed and sold a flame thrower for cars as an anti-hijack weapon about 20 years ago. It was legal at the time. Google it if you want to know more about it this.

More to the point, I've never heard of home invaders using flame throwers but murder and rape are common enough, and there have been cases where the gang used steam irons to torture their victims into giving them their safe keys, a 12 year old boy drowned in a bath of scalding water after his parents were shot, and pouring a kettle of boiling water over a child minder, a 7 year old girl and a baby. These have all happened in the last few years so, yes, it is tough out there.

Please don't joke about this sort of thing. It's sickening, and I'm not particularly squeamish.
 
MartynK said:
Believe it or not, someone developed and sold a flame thrower for cars as an anti-hijack weapon about 20 years ago. It was legal at the time. Google it if you want to know more about it this.
Click to expand...

Yep, that's why I mentioned it. I remember seeing it on the news at the time. The demonstration was frightening enough.
 
This is going to sound a little harsh but half the battle is to make your house look a less attractive/easy target than your neighbour's house.

As others have said, an alarm and/or visible alarm box, lights on at night when no one's in, locked gates & fences etc.

I'm a little paranoid like you...... I've got a Yale wireless alarm that I fitted myself for around £250, it calls up to 3 telephone numbers of your choice if activated, my parents and brother have the same alarm and they've been reliable for 8-9 years.

We had a string of burglaries in our neighbourhood where they just smashed their way through double glazed units which rendered my door sensors useless so I fitted internal locks on the interior doors at the rear of the house which effectively seals off the downstairs toilet, kitchen & dining room from the rest of the downstairs as added PIR sensors in each of those areas. The theory being if glass gets smashed and they get in, the alarm will activate and they'll at least be delayed getting into the rest of the house.

The problem is, if someone's hellbent on getting into your property there's not much you can do but it's about taking measures that give you the peace of mind you need
 
Cartus said:
I'm sorry Wuyan, did you already have the ADT system installed when the sales person called? Are you saying you feel the presence of an ADT bell box acts as a sufficient deterrent for you?
Click to expand...

Yes. sorry, my post was confusingly worded. Yes, the previous owner ended contract with ADT and all the hardware had not been not removed. According to ADT, the presence of bell box is enough to deter 97% of burglars.

Since I had not signed anything with ADT, it stands to reason they have no right to trespass in order to take the hardware. I feel it's enough protection in getting their (if any) reputable image seen by potential burglars.

As mentioned, if you display your big TV's and flashy watch in the front window, the world's best burglar alarm and CCTV can't protect you. In the end, it's all about making your house less attractive and giving yourself a peace of mind.
 
jondc said:
Big scary dog changes the mind of the average Joe looking for an opportunity.
Click to expand...


Exactly as i was going to say. Stone chippings instead of slabs also make a noisy crunching sound but the dog would be the biggest deterrent for me. Haha not that i'm a burglar.
 
Obvious cheap answer is to half inch an ADT yellow box!
 
Can't beat a good barking dog
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top