NWFlyer 2 #1 February 12, 2007 So my neighbors' garage (which is immediately next to mine) got tagged with graffiti this weekend. Annoying for them, of course, and made me feel somewhat violated since it could have just as easily been my door, and sort of woke me up to the fact that my sleepy little neighborhood isn't necessarily the bastion of safety I like to think it is. It's prompting me to do some home security things I've been meaning to do for a while. 1) Replace my front door lock. I have a deadbolt that operates using a key on the outside, but just a latch on the inside. Problem with that is I also have a window in my front door. I think it's reinforced glass. So I'm planning to replace the lock so it requires a key on both sides and keep a key out of reach of all windows on ground level. 2) Do something to create an alert if the window glass is broken (to be installed on the window in my front door). I've poked around and I see there are small wireless alarms that you can attach to the window that will go off if the glass is broken. 3) Install a locking device on the only window that is on ground level. It's not a window I ever open, so locking it seems like the best solution. Again, I may also add an alarm if that one is broken. Do these alarms work? Anyone used a particular brand that you'd recommend? Is it the kind of thing that has a high risk of misfiring? Edited to add photo"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azdav 0 #2 February 12, 2007 Quotethe bastion of safety Good word usage Noooobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!!! M.P.F.C. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #3 February 12, 2007 QuoteQuotethe bastion of safety Good word usage My vocabulary is SATriffic. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stitch 0 #4 February 12, 2007 PLYWOOD!"No cookies for you"- GFD "I don't think I like the sound of that" ~ MB65 Don't be a "Racer Hater" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 644 #5 February 12, 2007 I prefer NRA stickers and loaded weapons (especially in Texas!!)...but to each their own I suppose! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #6 February 12, 2007 QuoteI prefer NRA stickers and loaded weapons (especially in Texas!!)...but to each their own I suppose! In Seattle that would make me *more* of a target. We're a little on the Blue side of things here."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #7 February 12, 2007 QuotePLYWOOD! Why don't we just go with bars, then? C'mon ... someone's gotta have some legit ideas!"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mostly_Harmless 0 #8 February 12, 2007 *Lock Engineer* Please remember that if you have a lock that is keyed from both the outside and inside it may make getting out of your house in an emergency a bit more difficult (fire, medical problem, etc...). If you do decide to go that route make sure you have planned exits out of the house that don't take as much effort._________________________________________ www.myspace.com/termvelocity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #10 February 12, 2007 Yep, thus my plan to have a key near the door (but not visible or reachable by someone who breaks the window. That's been one of my hesitations for going in that direction, since that is my only form of ground-level egress. The real issue though, is that the window itself is large enough that if completely broken, someone could get in quite easily."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #11 February 12, 2007 Quotefence? Townhouse. Not really practical."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 644 #12 February 12, 2007 simple things then? trimmed hedges, floodlights on the window, glass breakage detector, dog, loud alarm, alarm service signs? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindercles 0 #13 February 12, 2007 Download the latest security patches. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #14 February 12, 2007 Quotesimple things then? trimmed hedges, floodlights on the window, glass breakage detector, dog, loud alarm, alarm service signs? Well looky there we're back to my original question. I travel far too much to own a dog. Alarm service signs ... not a bad idea. Hedges are fine, lighting is good. And neighbors are quite close and keep an eye on things for me when I'm out of town."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #15 February 12, 2007 QuoteDownload the latest security patches. Are they making FirefoxHome yet?"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #16 February 12, 2007 Motion sensors on any outdoor lights. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #17 February 12, 2007 Oh, and a loaded gun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Lindercles 0 #18 February 12, 2007 QuoteQuoteDownload the latest security patches. Are they making FirefoxHome yet? Get the "pizza delivery" and "escort service" extensions. They're awesome. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Michele 1 #19 February 12, 2007 QuoteYep, thus my plan to have a key near the door (but not visible or reachable by someone who breaks the window. That's been one of my hesitations for going in that direction, since that is my only form of ground-level egress. Actually, in CA, that's illegal and wouldn't pass a home inspection. There have been many deaths because someone did that and couldn't get in/out in time, so...well, it was codified for keyless need from the inside. Why not just put another deadbolt lock lower down, so that even if the window gets broken, it can't be reached? As for the window on the ground floor, one of my favorite tricks is using bougainvilla or climbing rose bushes to make the window both less and more attractive - more attractive because flowers are indeed pretty, and less attractive to the bad guys because thorns are really, really painful and a decent deterrant. Alternatively, you could get a large, loud dog. Good luck, and please be safe no matter what you decide to do. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites normiss 644 #20 February 12, 2007 You DID ask in the bonfire you realize... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites NWFlyer 2 #21 February 12, 2007 QuoteMotion sensors on any outdoor lights. Yeah, we have the lights back by the garages on timers, as is the light by my door, but since I have no way of knowing that light is on or off unless I'm standing right next to it, timer seems like it's adequate. We (my neighbors and I) had talked about switching to motion detectors back by the garages. It would likely trip quite often with other neighbors driving down the alley our garages face. I don't know that it would do much to alert us anyway, since everyones' bedrooms are on the third floor."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites stitch 0 #22 February 12, 2007 Claymore mines and trip-wires."No cookies for you"- GFD "I don't think I like the sound of that" ~ MB65 Don't be a "Racer Hater" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites NWFlyer 2 #23 February 12, 2007 QuoteYou DID ask in the bonfire you realize... I know, and I have been given *lots* of great suggestions and amusement, par for the course in Bonfire. Specifically, though, I want to learn more about window alarms. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Shell666 0 #24 February 12, 2007 QuoteYep, thus my plan to have a key near the door (but not visible or reachable by someone who breaks the window. That's been one of my hesitations for going in that direction, since that is my only form of ground-level egress. The real issue though, is that the window itself is large enough that if completely broken, someone could get in quite easily. I'd put bars over the window as opposed to keying the lock on both sides. Like it's been said already, that can make it hard for YOU to get out in a hurry if you have to!'Shell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Lindercles 0 #25 February 12, 2007 Get a microchip implanted in your wrist that will unlock the deadbolts. The technology exists, and it would be much safer in an emergency than a deadbolt keyed from the inside. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 3 Next Page 1 of 3 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
Lindercles 0 #18 February 12, 2007 QuoteQuoteDownload the latest security patches. Are they making FirefoxHome yet? Get the "pizza delivery" and "escort service" extensions. They're awesome. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #19 February 12, 2007 QuoteYep, thus my plan to have a key near the door (but not visible or reachable by someone who breaks the window. That's been one of my hesitations for going in that direction, since that is my only form of ground-level egress. Actually, in CA, that's illegal and wouldn't pass a home inspection. There have been many deaths because someone did that and couldn't get in/out in time, so...well, it was codified for keyless need from the inside. Why not just put another deadbolt lock lower down, so that even if the window gets broken, it can't be reached? As for the window on the ground floor, one of my favorite tricks is using bougainvilla or climbing rose bushes to make the window both less and more attractive - more attractive because flowers are indeed pretty, and less attractive to the bad guys because thorns are really, really painful and a decent deterrant. Alternatively, you could get a large, loud dog. Good luck, and please be safe no matter what you decide to do. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 644 #20 February 12, 2007 You DID ask in the bonfire you realize... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #21 February 12, 2007 QuoteMotion sensors on any outdoor lights. Yeah, we have the lights back by the garages on timers, as is the light by my door, but since I have no way of knowing that light is on or off unless I'm standing right next to it, timer seems like it's adequate. We (my neighbors and I) had talked about switching to motion detectors back by the garages. It would likely trip quite often with other neighbors driving down the alley our garages face. I don't know that it would do much to alert us anyway, since everyones' bedrooms are on the third floor."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stitch 0 #22 February 12, 2007 Claymore mines and trip-wires."No cookies for you"- GFD "I don't think I like the sound of that" ~ MB65 Don't be a "Racer Hater" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #23 February 12, 2007 QuoteYou DID ask in the bonfire you realize... I know, and I have been given *lots* of great suggestions and amusement, par for the course in Bonfire. Specifically, though, I want to learn more about window alarms. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shell666 0 #24 February 12, 2007 QuoteYep, thus my plan to have a key near the door (but not visible or reachable by someone who breaks the window. That's been one of my hesitations for going in that direction, since that is my only form of ground-level egress. The real issue though, is that the window itself is large enough that if completely broken, someone could get in quite easily. I'd put bars over the window as opposed to keying the lock on both sides. Like it's been said already, that can make it hard for YOU to get out in a hurry if you have to!'Shell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindercles 0 #25 February 12, 2007 Get a microchip implanted in your wrist that will unlock the deadbolts. The technology exists, and it would be much safer in an emergency than a deadbolt keyed from the inside. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
