Security in your Home, Part 1: Layers

[princewally]

This is part one of a series I am developing on inexpensive and unobtrusive methods of boosting your home security.

Security in your Home, Part 1: Layers
by princewally

We’re going to discuss using a layered approach to improving the security of your home. Using a layered approach provides two primary benefits. First, it makes your home too much work for the “casual” burglar. Most burglars will take the path of least resistance. Multiple layers of security remove your home from that path. Second, each layer adds to your reaction time, either by warning you of an intrusion, or slowing down your intruder. This gives you time to get your family to safety and call 911. Every second counts.

Before we get into the options for home security, I want to define layers, in the context of security. A security layer is anything that provides notice of intrusion, or anything that slows or prevents said intrusion. In plain English, if it slows down an intruder, or convinces an intruder to go elsewhere, or alerts you to an intruder's presence, we’ll consider it a security layer. These layers can be anything from the streetlight on the corner eliminating shadows in our yards, to the monitored alarm systems with sensors on every possible entrance to our houses, to the family dog. Our goal is to convince the intruder to seek easier prey, or failing that, to slow them down enough that we can get to safety and wait for the police without fearing for our lives. We’ll be approaching the layers in the same manner as an intruder, from the outside in.

The first layer an intruder will encounter is an intangible that will never be noticed. This is the most important element in any security system. I’m talking about planning and awareness. The best security system in the world will accomplish nothing if you don’t get it installed before there is an incident or if you don’t know what to do when it is activated. The loudest alarm won’t help if you’re not paying attention when it shrieks.

Plan ahead. Get the alarm installed before you need it. Trim your bushes back, reinforce your front door, and most importantly, develop a plan of action for you and your family. Have a plan of action for your family in the case of a home invasion/hot burglary, much like you would for a fire. Conduct “Invasion Drills” as often as you would conduct Fire Drills. Everybody in the family should know what to do and where to go in the event of a home invasion.

Be alert. If your dog barks, investigate the bark. That’s why you have a dog. If your security lights turn on, look out the window and find out what caused it. Lock your doors and windows if you know you’re going to be less aware for a time. That means lock the door when you take a nap or a shower, or when you will be listening to loud music. Many people let down their guard at home, assuming nothing bad can happen there, that nothing bad can happen during the day. This is simply not true. If you are aware of what is going on around you, you are much less likely to be victimized. I’m not suggesting constant hyper-vigilance 24 hours per day. People need downtime to relax. I am, however, strongly suggesting you take basic precautions before you unwind.

[workinwifdakids]

That's a good primer.

Can you, or someone else, expand upon reinforcing your front door? What would that look like? Are there options? Is it better to go 'obvious' or not noticeable?

[Combat Controller]

Good start. I had a neighbor once scream for help as she was showering and a fellow had come over the 8 foot wall into her apartment with an open patio door.

[princewally]

That's a good primer.

Can you, or someone else, expand upon reinforcing your front door? What would that look like? Are there options? Is it better to go 'obvious' or not noticeable?

That's part 3. I've got this split into 6 parts, right now. That will probably change a bit.

The short, short, short version is make sure you use at least 3" screws on your strike plates, to connect the frame to the wall studs, and have a solid core door.

[308Mike]

Oh, and beware of glass within arm's reach of exterior door handles. It does you no good to secure everything and the guy breaks the pretty window next to your front door and reaches through and unlocks it from the inside.

[rightisright]

sure you use at least 3" screws on your strike plates

And make sure they are #12 screws. You don't want to use a #10 or #8 screw that was designed for decking and the like. They have much thinner shanks so they enter wood easier.

With a thicker screw, you may have to pre-drill a small hole in your door studs depending on how old they are and what wood they are made of. I've seen #12 screws split the door stud (evidenced by the sheetrock buckling). This completely negates the purpose of a thicker screw as you now have little to no defense against a kick attack.

[HTRN]

What about "creative modifications" to roombas?



(We need to add the shifyeyes smiley, btw)


HTRN

[martini]

Also, if there is any glass within arms reach of the door, make sure you use double cylinder locks (locks with keys on both sides). As for reinforcing the door also consider using replacing your strike plates with flat steel bar that has been drilled with correctly sized holes and extends at least 6 inches above and below your locks.

As for the roomba, got plans?

[princewally]

Also, if there is any glass within arms reach of the door, make sure you use double cylinder locks (locks with keys on both sides). As for reinforcing the door also consider using replacing your strike plates with flat steel bar that has been drilled with correctly sized holes and extends at least 6 inches above and below your locks.

That's all in the long version.

[Flintlock Tom]

Good start. I had a neighbor once scream for help as she was showering and a fellow had come over the 8 foot wall into her apartment with an open patio door.

...and, and?