tips for protecting your house from robbers

[Twism]

Anyone want to share any tips and things you do to protect your home from criminals. I've been lucky so far with no robberies but still installed an alarm system a few months back. When we leave the house we leave the lights on and tv on loud. Have a motion light that goes on in the back of our house. When we sleep we put a wooden plan between the front door and are stair case. Next plan to put bars up on just the basement windows in the back of the house. What other things can I do?

Thanks guys

[WiZZLa]

Have nothing worth stealing, or make it seem as such.

[hiredmuscle]

prbly get stash some weapons in secret places throughout the house

[UrbanPoet]

wow. i think your a lil paranoid there :|
robberies are pretty rare... And even so... you already got the alarms!

Burglers are smart... the break in tie em up thing is rare....
they usualyl wait till your on vacation.

[AudiDude]

The cheapest security is lighting. Lights around the outside of the house (not just the back yard) triggered by motion. Make sure the lights don't point in the neighbour's window, or yours. I used a light to protect the back of a store in downtown T.O. and it worked well. Somebody tried to break in the front door (on Yonge St.) rather than the back alley entrance. I guess they didn't think the 80 watt light was bright until they got close enough to trip it into the 500 watt mode. I put a wire mesh basket from some home depot office paper storage, upside down over the fixture to stop people from smashing it.

[Amourek]

If you've got an alarm and barred windows you're pretty much set. You could also put in a deadbolt for your door and maybe get some fake security cameras.

[terribly]

I would caution against the fake cameras.

Even in TO, it's unlikely anyone "regular" would go that far. If you're living in a $5million mansion somewhere and want to keep your goodies under wraps, maybe.

Either way it's unlikely, but don't want someone calling your bluff :p

An alarm (or a sticker or two saying you have one), put an extra lock or two on your doors, and keep the place well lit and looking lived in and you wont have any problems.

[Markyhour]

Putting all that ***** up that you have like bars and whatnot just makes people think that you have something worth stealing.

[testinz]

Also put a HUGE "beware of dogs" stickers on the doors

Should work well.

I would caution against the fake cameras.

Even in TO, it's unlikely anyone "regular" would go that far. If you're living in a $5million mansion somewhere and want to keep your goodies under wraps, maybe.

Either way it's unlikely, but don't want someone calling your bluff :p

An alarm (or a sticker or two saying you have one), put an extra lock or two on your doors, and keep the place well lit and looking lived in and you wont have any problems.

[webdoctors]

my house was broken into twice in 1 week, after the first time we got ADT home alarm system but it didnt work for some reason the 2nd time around, it failed to activate :(

ah well....its weird too, they broke in during the day when everyone at work...

[Agent_J]

my house was broken into twice in 1 week
where do you live around webdoctors :eek:

[kornstar369]

.......... I guess they didn't think the 80 watt light was bright until they got close enough to trip it into the 500 watt mode. I put a wire mesh basket from some home depot office paper storage, upside down over the fixture to stop people from smashing it.


haha...thats funny...good job....was it a second light that kicked into 500w mode or the same one?


my house was broken into twice in 1 week, after the first time we got ADT home alarm system but it didnt work for some reason the 2nd time around, it failed to activate :(

ah well....its weird too, they broke in during the day when everyone at work...


its someone you know!

[Markyhour]

its weird too, they broke in during the day when everyone at work...


i dont find that too uncommon, most break-ins occur when people are not home - rarely will anyone break into a house that is full of people. ;)

[webdoctors]

ya i live in Unionville, which sucks cause da houses are rich so ppl think they all filled wid loot, but mine's da exception :(

it was annoying cause they broke down the front door so it was really cold in the house and tough to fix...it was in the winter time....

plus we probably lost $10k in jewelry, cash and small electronics.

[dealcatcher]

Anyone want to share any tips and things you do to protect your home from criminals. I've been lucky so far with no robberies but still installed an alarm system a few months back. When we leave the house we leave the lights on and tv on loud. Have a motion light that goes on in the back of our house. When we sleep we put a wooden plan between the front door and are stair case. Next plan to put bars up on just the basement windows in the back of the house. What other things can I do?

Thanks guys

put a sign " We have nothing to steal or We don't have a plasma TV inside " at the front door... this should work..

[bionicbadger]

Also put a HUGE "beware of dogs" stickers on the doors

Should work well.

Screw the stickers, just get a big dog. :D

[NLI10D]

dog as a preventative measure would only work if you got the right breed. well obviously you got the guard dogs. we have a chow chow and she goes a little psycho with the barking if there's someone in the front door that she doesn't recognize (she peeks in the front window to see who it is). she's great with guests though, as long as we usher the guest in the house, then she knows they're not a threat and she just goes on her merry way to the kitchen or family room to chill.

[Cruel_Angel]

Nothing, if they wana rob you, your gona get robbed. On monday night my friends house was almost robbed, they cut the electricity, and phone line, it was around 1:30 am, and luckly my friends bro was awake to notice, they called, the cops, and their father shot a gun out the front door to scare them away. However, last May around 12:30 am, my girlfriends house was invaded, 5 guys came in with masks toting guns, tied everybody up and ransacked the house for 2 hours. My girlfriends house has gates and an alarm system. If somebody wants to rob you, they are gona do it, it just depends on how motivated they are.

[urameatball]

live in a house with many occupants and random schedules.

thieves only break into houses with little/no threat. If you live alone in a big house at the end of a street, I give you 6 months before your house gets broken into.

If you live with 6 other occupants where 2 work night shift, 2 are unemployed, and two work days, have 4 cars in the driveway, etc. You can rest assured, nobody will rob you :D.

[mochachicka]

However, last May around 12:30 am, my girlfriends house was invaded, 5 guys came in with masks toting guns, tied everybody up and ransacked the house for 2 hours. My girlfriends house has gates and an alarm system. If somebody wants to rob you, they are gona do it, it just depends on how motivated they are.

oh my gosh that is so scary! I had no idea that robberies like this still happened :( You would assume that they would just take whatever when the family is not home. So was her family ok?

[synaptech]

Place a pair of size 20+ shoes at the door :cheesygri

[Headhunter]

Lights on inside and outside, bar the windows, put in an alarm system, make sure nothing valuable can be seen from outside.

A very common point of entry into the house that people aren't often aware of, are your basement windows. Lock them, block them, bar them; it's very easy to miss. Mine are really small, locked, partially obscured, and I took the time to kick in a few inches of gravel and then cover the entrances with grass (I don't cut the grass right next to that area).

[old_old_7]

Install "Gotcha", http://www.gotchanow.com/text/action.html#pet
It scare anything come close to my house, human, animals...............

[Twism]

Thanks for the cool tips guys. Well my neighborhood has been alot safer ever since they removed a warehouse where some rock bands were living. They were selling drugs for many years so there were always some crack heads walking around are area breaking into cars/houses and with the money buying drugs off them. After years 15 years of pressure from all our neighbors they were finally removed 2 years ago. Now its back to a nice and quiet neighborhood.

For people who dont have alarm systems you may want to find them from someone who has extras and just stick them on your door anyways.

[Cruel_Angel]

oh my gosh that is so scary! I had no idea that robberies like this still happened :( You would assume that they would just take whatever when the family is not home. So was her family ok?

Well, for some reason the robbers thought it was a grow house, and kept demanding pounds and pounds of weed. I guess orientals can't own a large gated house without having a grow op anymore.. They were alright, her brother got kicked in the head a few times, and they decided to torture the father by pouring boiling water on him till he told them where the weed was.. The threatened to kidnap my girlfriend. And they fired off a shot in the house. They made off with a few thousand in cash, and ALOT of jewelry, more than 50K. And of corse their insurance didn't cover any of that, AND their insurance dropped them like a bad habbit right after it happened, the insurance company was so unsympathetic. The robbery was very weird, they kept demanding for certain things, plus the family is never home during the day, so it woulda made sence to go in during the day. These people fully knew what they were doing, somebody musta tipped them that their house was a grow op, which it wasn't. But it just goes to show you, if somebody wants to rob you, they are going to rob you, their isn't a gate tall enough, or alarm system loud enough to stop them.

[callous]

In this day of reverse phone number/addresses look up on the internet, the first sign of an impending break in is a rash of blank calls, almost always after lunch, and after the mail man is due to deliver his last batch of mail to your house. If you keep getting blank calls, you may already be a target.

Check also your doors, if some of your double doors are under a semi-leaking window, then the wood surrounding your door may be weakened enough for someone to push in the door. This is one thing overlooked by many, and it is precisely how many thieves break in.

Personally I wouldnt leave the tv on, it will wear out the tube and also can be a cause of fire so I wouldnt do that. Why dont you just use a radio instead.

[JimG]

What do you guys think of motion sensor floodlights? I've got those installed around my house, in the alleys and over the garage. Can't touch my house at night without getting light in the eye.

Jim

[Agent_J]

Nothing, if they wana rob you, your gona get robbed. On monday night my friends house was almost robbed, they cut the electricity, and phone line, it was around 1:30 am, and luckly my friends bro was awake to notice, they called, the cops, and their father shot a gun out the front door to scare them away. However, last May around 12:30 am, my girlfriends house was invaded, 5 guys came in with masks toting guns, tied everybody up and ransacked the house for 2 hours. My girlfriends house has gates and an alarm system. If somebody wants to rob you, they are gona do it, it just depends on how motivated they are.
wow that sucks, where do your friend/girlfriend live? both in sauga? did they ever catch the bad guys?

[UncleSteve]

put a sign " We have nothing to steal or We don't have a plasma TV inside " at the front door... this should work..

But then, someone will still break in, and leave you a note that says "Just checking".

[Cruel_Angel]

wow that sucks, where do your friend/girlfriend live? both in sauga? did they ever catch the bad guys?

Mississauga Rd, and just off Mississauga Rd.. They never catch these types of criminals, on monday, my friend called the cops while the robbers were still outside his house, they didn't show up till an hour after they left.

[Futuristic_Eel]

Develop a good relationship with your neighbours, especially those that stay home during the day.

[kornstar369]

Develop a good relationship with your neighbours, especially those that stay home during the day.


doesnt always work.
we were "very good " friends with our neighbours for about 15 years...UNTIL they called the cops on me 3 times (i found that out later) ....because i was bangin on the drums...!
wat a waste of a 15 year relationship. They could have simply discussed it with myself....bla, sidetracked, anyways....next.

[WiZZLa]

i dont find that too uncommon, most break-ins occur when people are not home - rarely will anyone break into a house that is full of people. ;)

Unless the family is deaf and/or blind. True story...

[zoro69]

Lock your doors! :)

Sound dumb? Thats how someone got in my place. Why it was unlocked - I was home! Middle of the afternoon, someone just opened the backdoor and walked in. Went straight down the stairs (I assumed it was someone who was supposed to be there). Came up the stairs and down the hall. Me at the computer turned around, and instead of who I thought it wa sit was some guy with a balaclava over his face and a full knapsack on. He took off, I jumped up in pursuit. He had a big lead and me in bare feet could't catch up. It turned out there was evidence the neighbours sliding door had attempted to be opened. Luckily he hadn't just taken stuff and left before I saw it was a robber.

[beemer2005]

Reading thru these posts, no one seems to mention:

- installing a funky surveillance system where you hook up wireless cameras that capture and send pictures of events via the internet. Arent you all computer geeks? :D

- HOME INSURANCE - it's inexpensive and very worth it. Protects you not only from break-ins, but also major damages. Also if you lose your valuables while you are on vacation (or it gets stolen), your home insurance also covers the loss.

Overall, keep jewlery and other family goodies in a safety deposit box, NOT in a shoe box or the freezer, because that's where thieves look first.

[Cruel_Angel]

Overall, keep jewlery and other family goodies in a safety deposit box, NOT in a shoe box or the freezer, because that's where thieves look first.

I guess old jewelry, but when you got a few watches you have in your rotation, its hard to go to the bank to pull them out everyday.

[GateGuardian]

I used to own 2 cars, one of them was like really crappy old and was on the verge of breaking down. So instead of putting it in my garage, I live it outside so it looks like there is always someone home, and if they want to steal my car, go ahead, they prob. get only get $50 off of it.

Lights are always a good idea.

And try to keep your curtains closed when you're not home or during the night so people can't peek into you house.

[steve.m]

hidden safes?
http://www.self-defense-products-depot.com/hidden-safes-diversion-safes.html



cool--> http://www.self-defense-products-depot.com/wall-outlet-hidden-safe.html

[CSR]

hidden safes?
http://www.self-defense-products-depot.com/hidden-safes-diversion-safes.html



cool--> http://www.self-defense-products-depot.com/wall-outlet-hidden-safe.html

I like the wall outlet one

[callous]

The thieves are getting more sophisticated, they now steal passports.

For those of you who have home insurance, read the fine print to see the cash limit and jewlery limit they will compensate you, and then move as much valuables into the safety box as possible.

[warpdrive]

I have a "this house has no radio" sticker.

[jory29]

Bring your [charged] cell phone to bed with you; it would only take a moment for someone who has broken in, to lift the main land phone off the hook, rendering it hopeless to dial 911 from your main bedroom land phone, should you hear them.

[hagbard]

When I was younger and lived in apartments, I'd leave copies of Solder of Fortune laying around turned to the classifieds page, and circle a few ads where they're looking for experienced "mercenaries". Now, it wouldn't prevent anyone from coming in, but it might make them think twice about taking anything.

[steve.m]

Bring your [charged] cell phone to bed with you; it would only take a moment for someone who has broken in, to lift the main land phone off the hook, rendering it hopeless to dial 911 from your main bedroom land phone, should you hear them.


i was going to suggest http://www.nwtrappers.com/catalog/traps/bear.asp

but your tip is more sensible. smart.

[Twism]

Im sure we would all hate to lose all the goodies we get cuz of RFD especially after all the pm hassels. Might be good idea to have a peacemaker around (baseball bat) provided u know how to use it rather then it end up being used against you.

[tinlunlau]

tip: ask the master himself! ask Kevin McCallister!!
:lol:

[astrogirl]

I had a robbery (or, attempted robbery, hee hee) a few years ago, and it was because I accidently left the front door open. My bf was sitting in the living room when he found himself surrounded by four guys with bandanas around their faces carrying bats and hockey sticks. I was in the kitchen and one guy came in and told me to stay in the kitchen while we got robbed. He turned and went back to the living room. I grabbed two butcher knives and went into the livingroom where the guys were, brandishing my knives and screaming like a banshee "Get out of my house!"
The guys got confused, they kept telling one guy to hit me with his bat, but he didn't seem to want to hurt a girl. In the confusion my bf jumped up and grabbed one of the bats and started screaming at them too. At that point they ran away and my bf chased them up the street shooting his BB gun at them.
The whole story would've ended well, but my hothead bf actually recognized one of the guys on the street a week later. He started chasing the guy, who ran up to a car full of his friends. He reached into the car and turned around with a gun. At that point, my bf started running with the guy giving chase. The guy ended up shooting my bf in the back as he ran away, but he kept running for several more blocks until he collapsed. He was in the hospital for a few weeks but didn't end up with any long term injuries.

I would say that if you have a home invasion, it's probably best to cooperate, unless you can tell that the robbers are inexperienced. In that case, if you start freaking out like a psycho and scare them they'll probably just run away.
Oh, and be careful about letting strangers in, even furniture delivery people and stuff. Get them to leave the stuff at your front door. Especially if they are young guys, you don't want anyone coming in seeing your nice big TV and your cool stuff. You never know who their friends are or who they might tip off about your address.

[AudiDude]

kornstar369]haha...thats funny...good job....was it a second light that kicked into 500w mode or the same one?
It was the same light that has dual mode output (80 watts/500 Watts) and automatic dusk to dawn controls. Avalable at Home Depot for $37.

[simms]

It was the same light that has dual mode output (80 watts/500 Watts) and automatic dusk to dawn controls. Avalable at Home Depot for $37.

Thanks! :)

[kornstar369]

........I would say that if you have a home invasion, it's probably best to cooperate, unless you can tell that the robbers are inexperienced. In that case, if you start freaking out like a psycho and scare them they'll probably just run away....

damn, wat a story, they rob your house....then they shoot ur bf...damn idiotS!! what area did this happen in?

btw...that part of your story ^^^ is hillarious.
at first i was like "omg", then i read that and i was laffing my butt off.

It was the same light that has dual mode output (80 watts/500 Watts) and automatic dusk to dawn controls. Avalable at Home Depot for $37.
THANKS! GOTTA CHECK IT OUT

[astrogirl]

damn, wat a story, they rob your house....then they shoot ur bf...damn idiotS!! what area did this happen in?


This was in Halifax, of all places.
The weird thing is, the guys struck me as real amateurs at the time. But like a month or so later, a couple of them were sentenced to like 10 years in jail for doing another home invasion where they tied the guy up and robbed him and did nasty things to him. So that's why I say it's better to resist and kick up a big fuss, you know? If someone tries to fight you or attack you, just go completely nuts- shriek, foam at the mouth, whatever.
And that bf is now a distant ex who turned out to be a MAJOR arse. So now the thought of him laid up in the hospital with tubes in every hole makes me smile when I remember it. :twisted:

[VivaLaRaza]

wow. sounds dangerous where u live... we just have an alarm system and we turn the lamp on b4 we leave to go anywhere & we have a radio in the kitchen that is always playing

[Rometiklan]

Some guy tried to break into our place a while back. My brother heard the thief fiddling around with the doorknob, so he looked out the window and saw some guy standing there. He yelled out that some guy was trying to break in so I grabbed my bat and I ran outside. I went around the entire house but the guy was gone. He left in a flash but not before pissing on the side of the house. :cheesygri

If you have sliding doors (balcony, patio, or porch doors, etc), it's a good idea to cut a broomstick or a broken hockey stick to length and wedge it along the bottom of the frame to prevent the door from sliding open if the thief should break the lock. This also works well for any sliding windows big enough for a person to crawl through.

It's a good idea to take photos of all your valuables and store them in a photo album in a safe place for insurance purposes and identification if you do indeed get robbed. Write the serial number of your electronics or any other pertinent information on the back of the photos. If you have a digital camera, so much the better. You can store all your digital photos on a CD-R in a safe place.

[Keelie]

one thing i'd never do is put bars on any of the windows. its unlikely, but what if you had to get out and couldnt? thats just a chance i wouldnt take.

if someone wants to break in bad enough, they will do it regardless what protection you have.

[gh05t]

Place a pair of size 20+ shoes at the door :cheesygri

And state Red Foreman of that 70's show lives here. :cheesygri

An alarm for starters and a nice baton under your bed.

Bars on the basement windows.

[kornstar369]

......And that bf is now a distant ex who turned out to be a MAJOR arse. So now the thought of him laid up in the hospital with tubes in every hole makes me smile when I remember it. :twisted:

lol...dunn say that....he got shot (poor guy) well, cause god saw wat was comming his way (the reason why you hate him so much,lol)...dont you just love the "ex-files"


one thing i'd never do is put bars on any of the windows. its unlikely, but what if you had to get out and couldnt? thats just a chance i wouldnt take.

if someone wants to break in bad enough, they will do it regardless what protection you have.
...true...and what if there is a fire...how will you escape????

[beemer2005]

The latest security bars have a mechanism that allows the person INSIDE the house to open them in the event of an emergency.

[kornstar369]

The latest security bars have a mechanism that allows the person INSIDE the house to open them in the event of an emergency.
good! someones thinking then, thats a first for me

[luthair]

installing a funky surveillance system where you hook up wireless cameras that capture and send pictures of events via the internet. Arent you all computer geeks?

You mean like this (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cambridgeshire/4272041.stm). Its not really a preventative measure, its more of a catch them later one.

[kornstar369]

You mean like this (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cambridgeshire/4272041.stm). Its not really a preventative measure, its more of a catch them later one.
w0w, smart man definetly!
..that looser only got 11 months...the system is ridiculous