Home Security

[CB ARGH]

Hey guys,

So I've just had the home broken into this afternoon. The cops caught the guy - he got nothing. Just wondering... I'm wanting to up the security of my home. We have a cat so the alarm is no good as the kitty will set this off when the alarm is set.

I've heard of driveway sensors that will make a noise whenever somebody walks/drives past them. Where would I find them?

Any other home security tips will be much appreciated.

STEVEN

[Moi]

Not nice to know there has been someone in your home, even if they got nothing... they invaded your home... ask for support for any family members who feel unsettled by this.

You can get alarms that have sensors that are "pet friendly" and don't detect the cat or dog.

Do you have deadbolts on the doors? Do you have french doors? If you do, have door jamb plugs so if they take the hinges apart the doors are still held in the framework.

[neels]

We have pet friendly sensors at our house, no issues with leaving the alarm set with the small dog inside.

[cc rider]

Sorry to here you have had an intruder Steven :(
Glad you are all ok. And they were caught.


I used a cable tie on the back gate bolt when someone came in the yard last night :facepalm:

[T.W.R]

if they're determine enough nothing is going to stop them no matter how good the security is

Simple option is motion detector cameras used for game hunting :msn-wink: most are small camo units with plenty of power for taking good quality stills or short record video footage. Moultrie & Spypoint can be easily sourced the more expensive Spypoints have cellular real time capture capability too

[BuzzardNZ]

One of these might help...
http://adogbreeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Rottweiler-Dog-4.jpg

[RDJ]

FWIW - I have shares neither in Harvey Norman nor Arlo cameras. (Given my gas-guzzling fleet and my bacon addiction I should have shares in Federated farmers and oil companies but that's a whole other story, I don't).

We have a semi-secluded house at the end of a longish driveway and a couple of times things have walked that I have left out overnight. At a recent Harvey Norman promotion we got a pair of Arlo cameras for two thirds of the normal price.

They don't pick up cats and so forth, but they do spot courier deliveries and random / all visitors. Best of all, you can check them over the Internet. We have two, placed at the front of the house and where the driveway ends up… so I can see if my beloved, and our children, have gotten home if their car's in the garage, and check who's been to the house during the day when we are at work.

Took 20 minutes to install, 10 minutes to set up remote access, extremely effective.

Of course they don't stop people entering your property without your leave, but they do keep an excellent timestamped photographic record…

[Jeff Sichoe]

When my garage was broken into last year I asked the fingerprint cop what his suggestion was for home security.

Basically he said the security systems which contact a third party guard are useless, as the guard can't actually do anything if they catch someone in the act anyway.

his opinion was (as mentioned above) a live feed to a cell phone etc so YOU can call the cops and tell em some jerkass is stealing your shit.

fingers crossed they can show up with the dog and the fucker gets a few bites for his trouble

[ellipsis]

if they're determined enough, nothing is going to stop them no matter how good the security is



^^

...my son being the techno whizz, installed a couple of cameras...one is a big bastard up a power pole on our boundary...they feed to his computer which is off the property...we can't stop arseholes but we can certainly see who they were...the one up the power pole is infra red and is surprisingly good even at night...it keeps tabs on everyone that enters our road from the only way, in a hundred yards away... the one night that somebody did pinch my neighbouring, cockies, truck, a fucking big spider had decided to rest for the night, mid lens...sometimes ya can't win...

[RDJ]

Yeah. One of the big problems is thieving ferals who steal a month or three or twelve+ of your life (the time it took you to earn your stuff) suffer no pain at all in the unlikely event the popo can be bothered to look for them (basically, NZ police chiefs - not the rank and file - don't give a fat rat's ass for domestic burglaries). I like the Arlo cameras as I said, but what I really want is the sentry guns from 'Aliens'.

[T.W.R]

^^

...my son being the techno whizz, installed a couple of cameras...one is a big bastard up a power pole on our boundary...they feed to his computer which is off the property...we can't stop arseholes but we can certainly see who they were...the one up the power pole is infra red and is surprisingly good even at night...it keeps tabs on everyone that enters our road from the only way, in a hundred yards away... the one night that somebody did pinch my neighbouring, cockies, truck, a fucking big spider had decided to rest for the night, mid lens...sometimes ya can't win...

Yeah similar things have happened around the district here and I know a few cockies who have given up on the likes of security lights etc (basically they just make it easy for thieves to see what they're doing) and have gone to using the cameras like I mentioned with the infra red detection and cellular connectivity for real time alert etc. The good thing with the camo hunting cameras they're small easily hidden self contained units and take powerful high res pics 9mp-16mp or 1080p HD footage of offenders on SD. Makes it simple to hand over to the cops.
Fortunately as of yet it's still like back in time here....don't even to worry about locking vehicles at night and inadvertently a month or so back left the front door unlocked for nigh on 2wks without incident :facepalm:

[Viking01]

Hey guys,

So I've just had the home broken into this afternoon. The cops caught the guy - he got nothing. Just wondering... I'm wanting to up the security of my home. We have a cat so the alarm is no good as the kitty will set this off when the alarm is set.

I've heard of driveway sensors that will make a noise whenever somebody walks/drives past them. Where would I find them?

Any other home security tips will be much appreciated.

STEVEN

Steven,
Your earlier post mentions a break-in to your house, and not to out-buildings on your property.

Can I suggest that as a first line of defence, you concentrate more on just physically keeping
the buzzards out of the house ?

Good deadlocks on all external doors. Safety stays on all outward opening windows. Special locks
for ranch sliders. Secure the cat flap. Look up tools in the garage so that they can't be used to
support a break-in attempt. And when I say "good locks", I mean something a good crowbar is
going to struggle to crack open.

And then once you've done all the physical security, then start looking at cameras and sensors
and alarms / remote notification.

Because if they manage to get past an un-monitored zone outside the house, the physical counter
measures should stop them proceeding further (or at least make it difficult for them - and slow them
down).

Also very useful for arguing with your insurance company, should you suffer loss of possessions.

Cheers,
Viking

[Akzle]

statistically, criminals do less crime after being shot.
bloodied heads on pikes in the front yard should be a good deterrent.

[T.W.R]

Good deadlocks on all external doors. Safety stays on all outward opening windows. Special locks
for ranch sliders. Secure the cat flap. Look up tools in the garage so that they can't be used to
support a break-in attempt. And when I say "good locks", I mean something a good crowbar is
going to struggle to crack open.


:pinch: And the crims put said crowbar or brick or garden ornament through any window or door pane and in they waltz :yes:

[Viking01]

:pinch: And the crims put said crowbar or brick or garden ornament through any window or door pane and in they waltz :yes:

TWR,

I don't disagree entirely with your reply, but I will comment a little further.

Please note I didn't say:

1. that it was guaranteed to keep all burglars out (it's not)
2. that all burglars are necessarily experienced at their trade (many are opportunists).
3. that physical security measures should be the only measures taken (do consider secondary measures).

This is a situation where you want to increase the chance of them being denied entry, or them being
delayed long enough to increase their chances of discovery (or becoming sufficiently nervous that they
decide to take off - hopefully empty handed).

If a burglar is determined to break in, they will - but the more difficult that you make the task for them,
the better the chance of frustrating physical entry to your house.

If people want to stop burglars, then get an audit and some professional advice - and be prepared to
spend some money.

A. External

Some configurations will leave you more exposed (e.g. large windows; a large glass pane within an
external door; windows low down to the ground). It's up to you whether you decide to take some
action to reduce some or all of those risks.

Another item I omitted from the earlier list was a lockable metal security screen door outside your
wooden external door. It's all about slowing them down, and ensuring that they draw attention to
themselves in the process.

B. Internal

And once you've done some (or all) the external measures, do consider the internal measures, like:

-Alarms systems (with internal and external horns)
-Camera systems (internal and external)
-Remote alerts to your phone (or to an external company)

We have all three of the above mentioned fitted at our current home.

The alarm system can be activated upon leaving home, and the sensors in the house are "pet sensitive"
(invariably the cat gets tossed outside anyway). If triggered, the external horn tells the neighbourhood.
If inside, the 120 db piezo internal alarm is both deafening and painful. Take my word for it.

External cameras are fitted up high on three corners of the house, so that very little of the house and the
garage is unable to be seen (when looking through the related web based viewer system). One of the set
scans the garage and down the driveway, which is the primary access path onto the property. The section
is quite well fenced.

IR cameras are also fitted at two key places inside the house, and linked through to a dedicated computer
system (allowing the creation and sending of alerts to my mobile).

If I get an alert, I can remote-in to the computer, start up the viewer and scan around most of the
house. The software app also triggers storage of a certain amount of footage after an alert has been
tirggered, so it's likely we would capture some video of the offenders.

The two internal IR cameras offer both panning/rotational features, so I can scan main internal areas.
They also have a speaker feature, which allows me to communicate with anyone in those areas. [That
assumes that mains power is still on].

The computer system and network termination has its own UPS/battery backup, in case some-one tries
to turn off the mains power for an extended period (the external alarm has its own gel cell battery, and
will trigger if the house alarm has been "set" and the mains is then switched off).

I don't think use of an external third party security firm is necessarily a good solution. Having some
retired neighbours is much better - and cheaper ..... 8-) They just call me (or text me).

And if you have valuables like jewellery, then consider a small safe. Doesn't have to be fancy - just
enough to deter the buzzards (assuming they find it).

The house contents insurance policy should cover replacement of items such as electronic goods (e.g.
stereo gear; computers; X-box; mobile phone or tablet) as well as the cost of getting window reglazing
done.

And keeping a list of electronic devices and serial numbers is useful if any of the items are subsequently
recovered.

C. Effectiveness

Have we had any break-ins ? Yes, once in 35 years. In our previous house. Where some of the above
mitigations were not in place.

The house had some large windows down low, just large enough for a person to get through. The buzzards
ended up breaking more than one window (why ?) and getting entry, but they were then disturbed (but
not before taking a few small electronic goods).

The only satisfaction I had from the whole episode was when the Police turned up to review the scene
and to dust for prints, they found some blood on a few shards of glass. So one of the little buzzards
must have cut himself on the broken glass when getting in or out of the window. Karma !


Ultimately, it's up to you how far you go security-wise. But for us, the one-and-only break-in felt like
such a "violation of our safety and privacy" that I have spent a little time, effort and money to better
secure the house, garage and section.

A determined burglar could still get into our house, but I'd probably know about it pretty damn quickly,
and internal and/or external alarms would both be screaming their heads off. And after logging in for a
quick check, I'd be on the phone to central Lower Hutt Police logging a burglary in progress. They're
only 5-10 minutes away.

Cheers,
Viking

[T.W.R]

:facepalm: you forgot to put in a panic room...sounds like you need it :yes:

[pete376403]

, I'd be on the phone to central Lower Hutt Police logging a burglary in progress. They're
only 5-10 minutes away.

Cheers,
Viking
And (from experience) LH police will give you an insurance claim reference number and an explanation (if pressed) of why they're too busy to attend.

[Viking01]

:facepalm: you forgot to put in a panic room...sounds like you need it :yes:

Yes, I know it probably sounds a little OTT, but it offers comprehensive coverage
and it all works nicely. Still do need to do the occasional test, just to make sure all
is working properly.

So, no need for panic. All under control - as much as reasonably can be ...... 8-)

Haven't had to test out Lower Hutt Police response as yet. As Peter376403 did
mention..... 8-)

Cheers,
Viking

P.S. Forgot to mention in the earlier post that when they broke into the house,
they didn't steal any of my stereo gear, but they did cause some damage to it
in the process (which really annoyed the hell out of me ..... 8-(

[T.W.R]

Yes, I know it probably sounds a little OTT, but it offers comprehensive coverage
and it all works nicely. Still do need to do the occasional test, just to make sure all
is working properly.

So, no need for panic. All under control - as much as reasonably can be ...... 8-)

Haven't had to test out Lower Hutt Police response as yet. As Peter376403 did
mention..... 8-)

Cheers,
Viking

Hey should try being cleaned out so thoroughly that you're literally left only the clothes on your back and the vehicle you got home on ;)
And that was from living in central ChCh only 4 blocks from the central police station :rolleyes:

One reason I'll never live in a city again having been exposed to the raw reality of the shitholes and the creeps & degenerates that fuel their existence off the pain they inflict on others

[Viking01]

Hey should try being cleaned out so thoroughly that you're literally left only the clothes on your back and the vehicle you got home on ;)
And that was from living in central ChCh only 4 blocks from the central police station :rolleyes:

One reason I'll never live in a city again having been exposed to the raw reality of the shitholes and the creeps & degenerates that fuel their existence off the pain they inflict on others


TWR,

The experience of being "cleaned out completely" isn't one I would wish on anyone
- and would be very keen to avoid myself.

Our older son (who is flatting) has just shifted into a newish house in Brooklyn in
Wellington, and one of the first jobs we did was to go around the house together
and look at its security (e.g. deadlocks and deadbolts; latches; window stays).

All solid external doors, but even though a newish house, one of the deadlocks
was not snibbing securely (easily fixed). The ranch slider needed a deadbolt, and
a few of the windows could clearly benefit from the installation of a security stay.

So we priced the items up, approached the landlord (with the offer of doing the work
ourselves) - and he was quite happy with the proposal and about covering the cost.
So now with that job done, at least we know their current house is better secured.

So all he has to do now is remember to lock the doors when they go out, and to pay
his house contents insurance premium ..... 8-)

Cheers,
Viking

[GazzaH]

Don't forget deterrents.

If heads on spikes are going to upset the neighbours, take a good look at their security measures, and at least match if not beat them. The idea is simple enough: the thievin bastards are looking for a quick win with the least risk of being foiled or caught in the act. So if next door is a soft touch compared to your fortress, guess where they will go. And if all the properties in your area are well secured, chances are they'd rather go to another.

Deterrents aren't enough on their own but they help, and supplement the real security controls. Dummy cameras, window sensors, fake alarm boxes, flashing red LEDs and so on are worth considering provided they are realistic.

Restricting physical access to the area around the property is another good move: make it harder and slower for them to approach and get away without being seen or stopped, before they even get close to breaking in.

Oh and make an inventory with photos and receipts, to squeeze a few measly dollars out of those other thievin bastards known as insurance companies.

[ellipsis]

...nothing beats a reputation as a do'er, a pointy stick and not leavin' home...if someone wants your shit, they can take it any time they want without a thought as to security (a joke)...you probably wont be home at the time...if someone really wants your shit they will take it while you are at home, eat your dog and fuck your wife...societal rules don't mean 5/8ths of FA to some people...locks and such only keep honest people at bay...what's a policeman?...

[WNJ]

...what's a policeman?...
We live ruralish nearest cops about 20 mins away , it’s surprising how quick they show up ( after a recent spate of burgs from farms) when we told them the neighbour had three of them pinned in his cowshed at the end of his double barrel and more farmers arriving :motu:

[RDJ]

And (from experience) LH police will give you an insurance claim reference number and an explanation (if pressed) of why they're too busy to attend.

Exactly this. And they're quite open about it not being worth their time.

[Viking01]

Don't forget deterrents.

If heads on spikes are going to upset the neighbours, take a good look at their security measures, and at least match if not beat them. The idea is simple enough: the thievin bastards are looking for a quick win with the least risk of being foiled or caught in the act. So if next door is a soft touch compared to your fortress, guess where they will go. And if all the properties in your area are well secured, chances are they'd rather go to another.

Deterrents aren't enough on their own but they help, and supplement the real security controls. Dummy cameras, window sensors, fake alarm boxes, flashing red LEDs and so on are worth considering provided they are realistic.

Restricting physical access to the area around the property is another good move: make it harder and slower for them to approach and get away without being seen or stopped, before they even get close to breaking in.

Oh and make an inventory with photos and receipts, to squeeze a few measly dollars out of those other thievin bastards known as insurance companies.



Morning,

GazzaH's post on deterrents is good advice. And it made me think of a few other
points.

The neighbour whom we share a common driveway entrance has a weather-proof
security sticker from ArmourGuard affixed to the fence by his letterbox.

If anyone should then walk up our driveway, when they first come into sight of the
house, they should then see (if they are looking) the external home alarm box on
the end of the house - as well as one of the house cameras. Both very visible.
Already on "Candid Camera" by that stage, with their approach being recorded.

As they then reach the first corner of the house (and the top of the drive-way
where the double garage is), there are light sensors that automatically switch on
sets of double lights after dark. Floods the whole carpad area.

The garage also has some secondary external lights that can be switched on/off
from the house. It's useful at night if I want to throw down plenty of light around
the general backyard area. Helps to break up the occasional cat fights .... 8-)


The use of dummy equipment (cameras, sensors, LED lights) is worth more mention.
The range of gear available today is certainly quite extensive, and many really look
the part.

A little personal story in that respect from years ago.

Many years ago when our sons were going to a creche (whose operation the wife and I
helped to manage part-time), we had a break-in at the creche. They had forced a door
at the front of the building. There was not much worth stealing, but we had invested
time and materials in doing renovation and just wanted to try and keep the buzzards
out. To avoid unnecessary damage as much as theft of items.

We first installed deadlocks on the two main external doors, deadbolts on the outward
swinging double doors, and keyed bolts on the sliding windows for physical security.

Next, I acquired an old alarm horn (free, from a local security company) which I first
freshly painted and then fitted high up under the eave out the front of the creche.

In addition, I also purchased and installed some small moulded plastic casings (each
fitted with a red flashing LED light). Each just used a single longlife battery. The cases
were screwed into timber near the edge of selected windows (out of childrens reach),
and were easily visible from outside. Just had to replace all the batteries on a periodic
cycle.

Lastly, I installed an old metal case (the size of a lunchbox, and fitted out with
several flashing LED lights) on an interior wall of the room through which you first
entered the creche. Anyone looking through the glass into the room after dark would
think it was a control box. Just contained a little circuit board, a set of LED's and a
battery.

All cheap as chips from Dick Smith, but quite realistic after dark. From 10 feet away,
you could quite easily see at least one LED light flashing back at you as you walked
around the outside of the building after dark.

After we had replaced the stolen microwave and other electronic gear, we assumed
that we might get a follow-up visit. But none was ever made within the remaining few
years we used the creche. We never found any new jemmy marks in the paintwork by
either of the two main external doors (per the original break-in). Might have all been
just good fortune.

[george formby]

I like deterrents.

We have a wee sign on the gate "dog on property", not a daft picture of an Alsatian with a quip about how fast it is. Amazing how many people stand at the gate and shout to ask if they can come down.

The shed has battery powered Doberman motion sensor alarms, they are really loud and effective, batteries last forever, too.

I have a solar powered light outside, led, and very bright. This combined with an external motion sensor alarm and 4 video cameras which are HD and IR, the cameras only cost $400 and can be viewed and controlled on line.

Inside the house I have a Pit Bull.

I'm pretty sure the dog works. A few years ago I found a snapped ciggie outside the (glass) front door and a couple of plant pots knocked over. A bit of paint had been scratched off the glass framing inside the door. Looked like a hasty exit. Wish I had it on camera.... Could have been the meter maid, though.

Time, noise and action generally stop the wee scrotes.

The property layout may help, too. Only one way in and out, so you have to drive down to the house. No quick exit and difficult to nick anything of value on foot.

[BMWST?]

its quite easy to swap out old "night latches" for dead locking nightlatches.That will mean they cant use the doors to get in or out.You can use that opportunity to get your locks keyed alike /There are videos on you tube about beefing up the screws used on door locks.Most of em just go into a 25mm peice of timber door frame which is easy to break.Big long screws right into the timber frame is what you need to make breaking in much harder .

[FJRider]

I was in the irrigation business for many years ... I wired up plenty of automatic sprinkler systems to those motion sensor systems. Primarily for anti-tagging ... but thieves don't like getting wet either (Who would have thought that) ...

[Akzle]

...nothing beats a reputation as a do'er, a pointy stick and not leavin' home...if someone wants your shit, they can take it any time they want without a thought as to security (a joke)...you probably wont be home at the time...if someone really wants your shit they will take it while you are at home, eat your dog and fuck your wife...societal rules don't mean 5/8ths of FA to some people...locks and such only keep honest people at bay...what's a policeman?...

rbcifgip .

[GazzaH]

I was in the irrigation business for many years ... I wired up plenty of automatic sprinkler systems to those motion sensor systems. Primarily for anti-tagging ... but thieves don't like getting wet either (Who would have thought that) ...

Seems bikers don't like it either!

[FJRider]

Seems bikers don't like it either!

I've seen a few motorcycles advertised on Trade me as never been ridden in the rain. Although not riding in the rain to enhance resale value is questionable ... <_<

[pritch]

I have a video sytem at home. Also I have a big dog, so my wife is not afraid to stay at home alone.

This thread has reminded me of a coupla things.

A woman I know was burgled. The local crime prevention officer gave her the full spiel on how to burglar-proof her home. She spent money on dead bolts and window locks etc etc but, as is the pattern, after a few weeks they smashed a pane of glass and did the house again.

If you live in a concrete pill box the expensive locks might work. If you've got a pane in the house of glass not so much. I was buying a replacement lock a few months back and the salesman was recommending a more expensive lock. I told him the nearest accessible window was less than two meters from the door. "Oh well..." he shrugged.

Several decades ago developers brought up all the houses on the main street near here. The houses were rented out pending the various developments taking place. The renters were mostly young people who wore black jeans, black jerseys and Doc Martins, and who were setting up house for the first time. They laid waste to the neighbourhood most of the neighbours got burgled twice. Not me, not the couple across the road. We both had dogs.

[pritch]

On a lighter note, I did once see a house that had a warning sign.

"This property is patrolled by shotgun five nights a week. Your guess which nights."

[george formby]

This thread has reminded me of a coupla things.

A woman I know was burgled. The local crime prevention officer gave her the full spiel on how to burglar-proof her home. She spent money on dead bolts and window locks etc etc but, as is the pattern, after a few weeks they smashed a pane of glass and did the house again.

If you live in a concrete pill box the expensive locks might work. If you've got a pane in the house of glass not so much. I was buying a replacement lock a few months back and the salesman was recommending a more expensive lock. I told him the nearest accessible window was less than two meters from the door. "Oh well..." he shrugged.

Several decades ago developers brought up all the houses on the main street near here. The houses were rented out pending the various developments taking place. The renters were mostly young people who wore black jeans, black jerseys and Doc Martins, and who were setting up house for the first time. They laid waste to the neighbourhood most of the neighbours got burgled twice. Not me, not the couple across the road. We both had dogs.

Totally agree. I live in an allegedly rough town but have had no incidents of note in 6 years. We have a dog that looks the part and barks at people or cars who slow or hang around the property boundary.
I have installed cameras and security lights but otherwise you could get into the house with a cotton bud, windows are usually open.

The biggest thing I believe is that thieves cannot get on or off the property quickly or discretely. Even if they slunk down to the house and pinched my lap top it would be a decent run back to the road with a dog chasing you. That is if they had the balls to try and get in with the dog going off in front of them.

My G/F locked herself out one day and had to climb in through one of the sash windows, the dog came into the room baying like a rabid hound from Hades. Quite re-assuring.

Even small dogs make great deterrents, they go nuts!

[GazzaH]

On a lighter note, I did once see a house that had a warning sign.

"This property is patrolled by shotgun five nights a week. Your guess which nights."


The sign on our gate reads "Trespassers will be served rare, with fava beans and a nice Chianti".


I'm not entirely sure about the fava beans though.