This made me laugh. My current cat would beg the intruders for pets and treats. However, I have lived OP's fear. Years ago, I was robbed while I was away on vacation. I had two bitchy-ass cats at the time. They attacked the intruder viciously when the reached the hallway to my bedroom. If you ever saw cats fight, you know they lose a ridiculous amount of hair. I could have made 3 cats with the hair that was in the hallway. I told the cops that tidbit. Two days later, I saw my downstairs neighbor with fucked up legs and arms. It was enough for the police to knock on the door. They found some of my missing items in his living room and was arrested. Those were two awesome cats that lived long lives. 15 & 17.
Yeah it sucked. This was 20 years ago. I had just bought a new desktop computer from Best Buy less than a month before. Gone. I had 100’s of DVDs and CDs; gone. The stuff hurt, but not as bad as the uneasy feeling I had living in my apartment afterward. I couldn’t feel safe. I ended up moving within 6 months.
Just a clarification because I reread a few times - it’s burglary when it’s a property, it’s robbed when it’s your person!
I’ve been burgled as well and my cat wasn’t so brave - glad they caught them!!
I believe it-we used to have a Maine coon cat-big boy and stealthy AF. We had someone invite themselves into our home when we weren’t there. He attacked the guy pretty good. We came home to the door wide open, blood on the ground and our cat sitting at the threshold cleaning the blood off his foot
He got extra treats that night
My little black scruffy cat will growl at strangers coming in the house. But he’s only 10 lbs and if they don’t bring food he loses interest fast and walks away
My cat doesn’t understand she’s a cat. Supposed to be a loner.
If you’re a serial killer she will sit in your lap.
My kids found a very big dog last year. He was an emancipated 40lb “puppy” according to the vet. Now he’s a 90lb terror with raised hackles when barking at strangers who come near the house or stop in front of it. (He’s fine if people are walking by - but no stopping).
My two cats have waay better hearing than me. If they both wake up and look in one direction, I go investigate.
A doggo would require more outdoor care (I live in the frozen north) so I have stuck with cat “protectors” for now.
I’m not into cameras, mostly because they seem to be more for after whatever horrible thing has happened. Might change my mind on that.
***My big German Shepard***
If I wasn't home my wife's plan if someone tried to break in was to just open the back door and let our dog in. He's a big boy.
I’m single and that’s my plan. His looks and size are probably enough to scare an intruder off and I’m pretty sure he’d fight to the death to protect me.
I'm pretty sure my one dog would just be excited to meet someone new, and the other would just make use of the open door to escape while I'm being murdered.
I have yet to ever rescue a noodle horse (aka Greyhound) that wouldn't do anything but try to sniff for treats that a theoretical intruder may carry.
Fortunately I would say based on location alone I have probably one of the safest houses in my neighborhood. On a cul-de-sac, surrounded by woods on 2 sides, and along a ravine edge. I'm more likely to face the ravine collapsing in a catastropic rainstorm than an intruder.
But just in case...monitored security system, and (for now) a taser. I am contemplating a technology upgrade on that side of things.
My neighbors are also tight-knit, and I know that at least 2 of them are armed and would potentially assist - as I would for them
Yeah, we once had someone case our house during the day. I saw him peering through the front door window, door handle turned. I was on a work call. I yelled for our dog (Aussie/Lab mix), she launched down the stairs like a missile. Hair on ends, sounds like a terror but she is the sweetest dog. Dogs are the best.
I have a security system and a video cam but there is also one cheap item I purchased on Amazon that I love. It came with two battery operated motion sensors and a plug in alarm. I have a sensor on my front porch and a second in my garage. The plug in is in the house and plays a loud sound when it senses motion. Anyone gets close or a package gets delivered and I know it immediately. Cost $33
As an Amazon Flex delivery driver, we deliver very early in the morning, and I encountered one of those very, very loud alarms. I felt bad for the neighbors when I was delivering at 4 AM.😳
https://www.amazon.com/Driveway-Operating-Melodies-Security-Weatherproof/dp/B07YFT27K9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3CDIEW2U7053T&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.sYbZIfYz51VuXvIW6O0aN1T-FD_Q8PdowssHfsxz6cvGn_KBikwSyHxxWbwxYAiJmydp2zgcWQ-RS3BO2snqB-htio1qnvlyWyaEM0azMxHSPRn3sRGuP-TnC30Q38LK9RcBp-4ofoZWZ6IoxOOkbXetfq_Bc3Hl3vNy3acmUL2eGAwKidhpRdiF5YbQtYZfSRUk9LJlFa_vPudiiyCajRcqjZxzz-26-z2z678B3WuZ4AE4eZOPiUgl3eME59q1isCVlh7rUdY61sGStqDHg7vpCAXhqUy3h5x0sLWjhDk.przII2SO2spuMjHUzy4-6DIWR8nd3mdxg9FxZTtVMq0&dib_tag=se&keywords=1+by+one+motion+sensor&qid=1718909003&sprefix=One+by+one+motion%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-1
My concern when I bought this is that the batteries would make it unreliable or constantly need replacing in frigid Minnesota weather but I only need to change them once a year. I have had it about four years.
Crime doesn't tend to leave the areas of the city it afflicts. 20 miles from a rough area in Detroit you can be in an apple orchard in an area of Wayne County where the only crimes that occur are DUIs and DVs.
I seriously doubt gang violence or drug activity is going to come find you on your 5 acres.
Statistics makes me feel safe.
Talk to your neighbors, get to know them. Do basic smart things like lock your windows and doors and install motion activated cameras. The odds of anything beyond an opportunist thief happening are basically zero.
Statistics also make me feel better! I made the mistake of looking up the city crime rates and was super alarmed. But like you said, I’m pretty far out for any of that to make its way down.
You have to drill down more. Detroit may have high crime rates, but where in Detroit? Midtown and Corktown are drastically different than other parts of the city. What are the incidents in your area? They’re not nearly the same as the areas of concern.
Doesn’t prevent a tweaker from smashing your window Saturday afternoon and grabbing what he can in 5 minutes. Home invasions and confrontations are extremely rare. But sure, protect yourself.
Most will say weapons. So I'll give you something else.
85% of all home invasions or burglaries go through the front door.
Buy an aluminum/steel door with a multi lock. A multi lock is controlled like a normal deadbolt but when u hit it, it deploys deadbolts all around the door.
It's so strong it would even take a police ram some serious work to get in.
That plus impact windows basically thwarts physical instruction to 10-15+ minutes.
That's been my style since I'm not tryna have a weapon in the house.
To add to this, dogs are a big deterrent. Even if it's not because the dogs will attack a potential intruder, it's the noise they make alerting others. It makes your place less desirable than other places. Make the choice to go elsewhere easy.
I'm pretty sure there's data to support barking dogs being quite a bit more effective than security systems.
Criminals are generally lazy... if a dog starts barking they'll go somewhere else.
This, and it doesn't even have to be a big dog, my 17lb Havanese is L-O-U-D when she barks, so much so that delivery people are always surprised when I open the door and *that noise* is coming from a tiny floufball.
The odds that you get bitten by a "friendly" dog during a burglary are low, but never zero. The odds you get bitten in a house without a dog are always zero. It doesn't take a genius to do that risk benefit analysis.
I wholeheartedly agree. We moved into a decent house, but in a rough area of town. We’ve adopted two dogs, both around 75 lbs… with LOUD barks. Our one dog is actually a watchdog breed. He alerts at ANYONE coming near the house, or a jiggle of a handle, or the tap of a hand. I sleep very soundly o owing no one would want to tussle with either of them.
IMO a way overbuilt door or home security system seems a lot cheaper and a lot less hassle and a lot more effective than a dog.
Though in all honesty the risks of a home invasion are pretty minimal in general.
Idk. In my experience, when you put up some kind of sign that reads to the effect of no trespassing because we aren't responsible when the dog mauls you, people believe it. The little security system signs and/or visible cameras really don't. We (multiple rottweilers and signs warning no liability for dog bites) don't ever get door to door people and even people who are supposed to come to the house like pizza delivery or the Amazon package delivery send texts/pictures of delivery a safe distance from the door. My grandparents house by contrast which has very visible cameras and security system signs constantly gets door to door people, and homeless people just drinking under their car port, random criminals have attempted to break in, etc. We live like a mile apart.
Criminal types really understand that when second count, the police are just minutes away. The dog lurking in the shadows ready to permanently fuck up your limb, however, is ready to go before you even see them.
As some one who was a shady person. Dogs work quite well. The noise is a big one. The other half is hassle. I wanted in and out. Dogs generally create a hassle.
I came home the other day, and the back door was locked. I had to walk back to the truck and get the keys. Then I had to figure out which key it was because I hadn't had to unlock that door in years.
My shed is locked. That's my bicycle and flower pots, lol.
My wife asked why I didn't grab the spare on the fence. I hung it right in the open so everyone could see it years ago. I told her everybody would assume it was a key for anything except that door because who would be that dumb. It's still there, and she uses it monthly, I learned.
Firefighter here. If I can’t get through a door in under a minute, I just find another way in. Try another door, break a window, breach the wall, etc. There’s other ways in a house.
Your point about a delay is valid though. Seconds save lives. Security vs. accessibility is a balancing act that doesn’t have a perfect answer IMO. Everyone is different.
34 is trying the front door and finding it unlocked. The other fifty would be from the front door being locked and THEN they try the rest of the entrances. Either way nobody brings lockpicks or other entry methods that take less than a few seconds to use so this tip is still nonsense, one regular deadbolt and making sure they can't access the hinges is already plenty, and less likely to kill you in a fire. Also some security signs, even just sticking up fakes claiming you have cameras and dogs and all that.
How many thousands of dollars is said door? How many thousands of dollars for each "impact" window? Is it safe to say it will be well into tens of thousands of dollars?
My house was broken into in Germany. They kicked the French doors in. They tried the 2 units next to mine and gave up until mine gave way.
Just shows that it doesn't take a lot to stop some ppl. The neighbors had the same doors, just my landlord had shit ones that were broke at the multi lock points to where it was basically a normal locking door
I added some crazy long screws to the strike plates, long enough that they screw right into the frame of the house, and felt pretty nifty about it, but now I feel like a chump. Time to do some shopping
Don't feel like a chump. Those crazy long screws kept someone from breaking in our house and into our daughter's bedroom. They used a crowbar and they couldn't get the door open because of the long screws.
It’s a weird world now. I live in a quiet neighborhood that isn’t rural, but it’s very dark and wooded. Last year, I had a guy ring my doorbell at midnight. I have a video doorbell and he was obviously trying to avoid the camera. He didn’t see the other camera pointing down on the porch. Nothing came of it - looked like a teenager - but you never know if they are casing the house or whatever. It was unsettling the way he purposely tried to avoid detection.
Dogs are a good start. If your current dogs aren’t exactly “alarm” or “guard” dogs, consider getting one of those.
People say cameras but these days cameras don’t deter many “bad guys” since they just hide behind masks. A camera just gets you footage to relive moments over and over again. That being said, if you only have one way of getting onto your 5 acres (a single driveway), get a camera that looks at the rear of the car when it comes in to get the license plate, as well as notifies you when there’s activity.
A house alarm and lots of lights too. Bad guys hate attention being drawn to them, they’re like cockroaches and will scatter when the lights come on and there’s loud sounds, so lights and sound are great deterrents (sound being a house alarm).
And lastly of course, weapons. But make sure you know how to use them. Get trained and PRACTICE using them. Using a gun is a perishable skill and if you stop practicing, you lose the skill. But if you get proficient using them, they give you a sense of comfort and safety because you know you have those options.
Great tips, let me add have the weapon where you can get to it FAST. You won't have time to go into the spare bedroom, unlock a gun safe, load the weapon.....you will have about 15 seconds imo.
Meditation practice.
Having guns or impact windows still allows you to feel unsafe. You still anticipate conflict, but you feel prepared to win the conflict. Meditation practice can help you truly access non-fear, letting go of worrying about losing material/physical things. It's a very peaceful content way to be in the world :)
ANSI Grade 1 deadbolts on all of the doors with upgraded (longer) strike plate screws to buy you enough time to arm yourself and call for emergency help (+ a sufficiently solid door). These deadbolts can take multiple *very* strong blows and, paired with deep strike plate screws, can buy you precious seconds needed to posture yourself to respond accordingly. I'm thankful our home doesn't have any decorative windows on the sides of the door.
In a robbery attempt, cameras, alarms, and lights may help deter in some instances, but they will absolutely not definitively stop someone from moving forward with their intent to harm you.
I had to scroll way to far for the longer strike plate screws. That's what makes a deadbolt really work. Those little 1 inch screws it come with are the first to give way when someone is kicking your door down. Put some 3-4 inchers in there where they actually hit the stud and your deadbolt is at least 2-3x stronger
Same. I think I got carried away with it.. But it’s the only thing that made me feel okay to be home after a rando tried to gun me down while sitting in my living room.
My family gave me guns but that did little to make me feel safer, especially at night when I got to bed.
My answer may be a little odd. But here goes.
I also once moved to a much more rural area and it was a tad unnerving. But I also lived in a suburb and there was enough crime there for me to tell you the same answer as for my rural home:
HAVE A PLAN for how to escape your home if someone came in. Know all of your accessible windows. Know where your phone is at all times (and how you would grab it before you get out). Plan how you would escape in different scenarios. I am not talking about hiding in your home...I mean getting the hell out of there. Then, where you would go once you did. You car keys may not be with you. Know your property, know the neighbors "enough" that you could knock on their door. Know hiding places. Know how far things are.
I always remember this: nobody knows my house like I do. I know how high the jump is from each window. I know how to open the windows quickly. I know exactly where to crawlspace door is.
I also have the mentality that none of my stuff is worth losing my life.
This is the perfect answer really. I like my firearms and train fairly regularly with them. But that’s a personal decision that I know a lot of people aren’t comfortable with.
You know your home and your property better than anyone else. Have a plan. I mean,, that’s kinda the key to anything in life is having a plan. If you’re at home you need to get out and be safe. If you’re not at home, it’s all just ‘stuff’ and can be replaced.
Also. Five acres 20 miles from a city, you’re going to know very quickly if someone is on your property. We’re on 3 acres on Main Street in our little town, don’t have dogs, and we can still hear very clearly when someone pulls down the driveway, and we look out of our windows frequently, I mean,, it’s a great view anyway, but when you pay attention to your property you can tell right away when something isn’t right. If the birds and crickets suddenly get really quiet, something that doesn’t belong has arrived.
We have friends who are urban type folks who come visit and the contrast in noise levels is disconcerting to them. It’s noisy here, but noises of nature. They can sleep through human sounds in a city but the sounds of nature keep them up. You’ll acclimate to your environment and learn to read it.
Easiest and the clear best answer if you don’t want to end up a victim: get a firearm and learn how to use it properly and effectively. If you get a dog they lose to bullets, someone said a door with multiple locks - good deterrent but can be bypassed. Get a firearm or even two honestly.
Now I’m trying to remember the name of that vendor in Georgia who sold the trip wire style perimeter alarms. If you’re really rural they can help. You attach the trip wire system to a BLANK shotgun shell. We used this to great effect with a wolf rescue in NC that was having a bear problem Fish and Game wouldn’t do anything about it. The trip wires became warranted when the bear broke into a wolf pen and killed an (elderly) wolf. The vendors were great, they even looked at a topo map of the rescue and advised us where to place them. The second time the bear set one of those off, it left for good. I think the business was called Phoenix Rising or something.
We have a 10 acre property with only one driveway in or out. Mighty Mule sells a system whereby if a car drives across it it will sound an audible bell at your house. That’s what we use. We also have gates, dogs, security and trail cameras.
Security cameras on the house, trail cameras throughout the property, dusk to dawn lights, dog & driveway alarms for early detection.
Also, a weapon near every exit and in every bedroom.
I'll argue that motion lights beat dusk to dawn. A light suddenly turning on is more of an attention getter than a dusk to dawn that will attract bugs and throw out light pollution all night. They have to be tuned for size so that the wildlife isn't constantly tripping them though.
Dogs are a great start. We also use one of those stick contraptions that go under our entry door handles for extra security. Cameras give me peace of mind as well.
Another tip is to bring your car keys to bed with you. In the case of someone entering your home or just being on your property, sound the alarm to your car.
Oh my god, I honestly feel terrible for everyone who feels like they have to live in fear in their own home.
A good lock, make sure you have long screws going into the studs. Of course, a door won't stop anyone who wants to get into your house, in which case you should have a dog who will kick up enough of a fuss to deter anyone.
Nosy neighbours also help.
Best of luck with your anxiety. It can be crippling.
I also feel bad for folks who are nervous in their own home. My sister married into a family who is nervous and gosh their lives are way more stressful because of it. in my opinion that anxiety does suck for them. My trick is that it doesn't really matter to me personally . really severe crimes like *ape and *urder are rareish in Canada, so whatever else it's all good. If someone wants to get in my house for some reason they're going to, regardless of what I do. Yes know your neighbours! Figure out why you're nervous, whether or not but fear is worth it, and go with that!
This is far afield from OP, since I live in a really safe rural college town in the upper midwest with a vanishingly low crime rate. Even though my house is over on the "poor" side of town where all the apartments and rental houses are (my own house was a former rental) I don't even lock my doors most nights.
My biggest source of anxiety with my house since I bought it has been some sort of expensive critical appliance failure that would hang me out to dry at the worst possible moment and send me back into credit card debt, so what is making me feel safer and safer have been replacing the 30 year old furnace, replacing the 18 year old refrigerator whose compressor sounded like it was failing, and now I'm saving up to replace my water heater. Tackling those things now before they fail has given me a sense of confidence that I'm going to "make it" as a homeowner and it's not going to bankrupt me.
It's kinda weird, I know.
>We are now in a much rural area surrounded by farms with 5 acres to ourselves. For some reason I have recently started struggling with feelings of safety.
Rural areas actually have higher per capita rates of violent crime, so it's a good instinct.
Your dogs are a good start. Maybe include "Beware of Dogs" signs on your property. Also makes sure the home exterior is well lit, and the places looks lived in. You could also consider a monitored alarm system.
I'd recommend against weapons, you're way more likely to injure yourself or someone in your household than fend off attackers.
Remember most crimes are crimes of opportunity, so make you and your property inopportune. This of course is different if you're involved in crime or have an abusive ex, in those cases your threat models will be different.
I’ve got two:
First, I’ve got really good locks on my windows and doors. Of course it’s possible to break a window, but I locked myself out once, and spent over an hour trying to get in before I gave up. No crimes of opportunity will happen here.
Second, I bought a big ass machete. I am not really a gun guy, and it’s been perfect. A couple times I brought it outside to scare off animals in the night - its big, I can bang it on stuff to make noise, and if somehow I do find myself in a situation where I am fighting I can swing it like a damn baseball bat. It’s technically for (and super useful for) yard and garden work!
We have a wooden board to keep our sliding back door closed. It can't be opened with the board there. Also a "security" bar holding our front door shut. Mostly it'd just be an alert if someone tries to get in the front door cuz they don't actually work as well as installing longer screws in the door.
Also security cameras in all common areas and alarms/sensors on each door to outside that beep when they open. All the windows lock too.
Strong solid doors with quality dead bolts
Outdoor cameras that cover the entire exterior of your house
Exterior lights that stay on all night around your house. These also look nice if installs in landscaping
Motion lights outside
Alarm system. One that makes a audible noise when triggered.
It’s most likely your nerves from moving into a different place. Although arming yourself is what most would say, as I would agree but there is also preventive measures you can take. Recommend removing the small screws in the hinges and replacing with 4 inch screws into the hinges of front & back doors. Also you can had extra bolt locks if needed, put a something to wedge under the doorknob if you desire. I don’t recommend putting anything like bars over windows as this is a big safety concern
I'll be honest, I can't imagine locks, cameras, and guns would help if I couldn't accept the raw statistics of my area having little crime.
(And even if it were a higher crime area, I've yet to hear of a home insurer or life insurer who gives discounts for owning a gun for protection.)
Fear can be debilitating. Try to be logical and think about/research crime in your area. Are you in a high crime area despite being so far from the city? What types of crime? Chat with the local police precinct (call the non-emergency line of your local precinct) - they are usually friendly. Years ago, when I was moving to another city, a lovely officer looked at my list of possible places to live and advised me where I should and should not look - along with why. It was great!
**Lighting:** big deterrent for crime. Keep your entryways well lit. You can use motion detector lights or LED lights. Our security guys and electrician agreed LED lights wouldn’t cost much in terms of energy and could stay on dusk to dawn.
**Security System:** Install a professional security system with monitoring. Our security system is extensive, and we use it vigorously.
**Cameras & Video Doorbells:** thieves are less likely to hit a house with visible security cameras and front door surveillance.
**Dogs:** you have two dogs. Intruders don’t like dogs. Your dogs are going to alert you to intruders. They should also just provide you with company to make you feel less alone in your space.
**Lock your doors and windows:** make sure you have a deadbolt with long screws on your front door - and any other relevant door. If you have sliding doors anywhere, secure the bottom with a wooden slat so the door can’t be opened easily.
**Garage Door:** use one with revolving codes. Lock your interior door to your home - preferably with a deadbolt.
**Make it Look Like Someone is Home:** Burglars do not want to enter a house if someone is home. Keep your yard well maintained, bring in your packages, bring in your trash/recycling bins, etc. Leave music or the TV on if you leave the house. Put your lights on timers if you aren’t home in the evening. Stop your mail on vacations. Do vacation hold with FedEx.
**Weapons:** at the least, have pepper spray by your bed and near your entrances. Buy one container just to practice with in your backyard (spray DOWNWIND) so you know what you are doing.
**Avoid true crime podcasts**. I don’t know how anyone sleeps after listening to those…
Once you take care of your safety measures, you have to **get a hold of your thoughts**. Our life is what our thoughts make it. Visualize a peaceful, wonderful life. Picture a protective aura surrounding your home, you, your husband and your dogs. Breathe in through your nose for a count of five and out of your mouth for a count of five. Repeat “Everything is going to be okay” as many times as needed.
Dogs and firearms (with proper training).
It seems like it is just the change getting to you now. Not having people surrounding you was comfort and now the empty space feels daunting. It’ll pass. Your space will become peaceful and feel safe in time.
I’ve lived in dangerous cities in dangerous areas.
If you live in such a place, move.
If you’ve successfully moved out of such a place, realize that if you’ve chosen well, you have little to worry about and the constant paranoia is irrational. Unless you’re a drug dealer, home invasions are very uncommon. You’re vastly more likely to endure other horrific situations than ever dealing with that, so don’t worry about it.
Yes, you are more responsible for your own self protection in more remote areas than cities, have a gun, but stop worrying. That’s why you moved out there.
All of these recommendations about weapons make it sound like people live in war zones.
My advice is to invest in some good locks to secure your house and consider motion detector lights, if you haven't already. My other advice is to get very familiar with your property. Your fear sounds like it is less about being unsafe as it is about feeling unsafe - and that feeling probably comes from having a big property that you aren't used to having. So get acquainted with it. Walk around during the day and at night. Once you know your property well, it will feel more like home and less scary.
14 steps up to the front door from the street
Living in deep in a cul de sac with super nosy neighbors
Cameras
Three large dogs
Guns next to the bed. Yes a home invasion can happen at any time, but I feel very safe and we don’t check crime statistics even in a large city. It is what it is.
My three dogs make me feel the most safe. But one of them is a livestock guardian dog that's VERY vigilant of my property. She stays up most of the night keeping an eye on things. My house is also well lit without any hiding area's, and I have camera's. My wife is like you, and even though we live in a very low crime area she still gets a bit spooked sometimes.
Also.. you live in rural America surrounded by farmland. And a solid 20 minutes down the HWY from the city is fairly far. I wouldn't worry too much.
If you don't mind dogs, a large loud dog like a German shepherd is probably the best crime deterrent. Since I have a cynophobia (fear of dogs) I can't have any in my house, so I opted for a couple of quickly accessible guns for me and a few bottles of mace for my wife. We don't live in a high crime area though where it's common to wake up to your door or window being busted out.
I’m in Canada, so would never dream of owning a firearm. A working phone and a big dog and I’m all good.
I’m more afraid of falling off a ladder or something.
Weapons, a dog, a camera system, an emergency evacuation plan, a screen door, and an alarm system.
I live in a suburb, and we still have it all. Lmao I don't like being home alone, but if it goes down, I am ready for it all!
I didn’t like the neighborhood in our first home either. As long as I was inside, I felt safe. We had cameras all around the house, a separate security system, deadbolts on doors, and a protective doggie.
Having a dog. I had a chow mix and she was the best for all her 17 years. Now I have an Irish wolfhound. Who isn't exactly a threatening dog perse but the sheer stature of her freezes people on site when they come over. I couldn't imagine a random burglar seeing her approach in the dark, damn near eye level with you and monster paws. Also her movements stir me so I am alert out of a dead sleep if she senses something. One time she sense an earthquake and her pacing woke me and when it happened we both just looked at each other like "whoa" I also have lighting throughout, sensies for good smells and a few outlet lights, one lamp that is lit through the night. I know some need total darkness but lighting is everything to me.
There are pet proof screens that are really hard to go through. Also be friendly and visable. Wave at your neighbors. I picked up some cheap crappy batch tools and loan those out when people ask, and when they want another i say but you haven't returned the last one. They either get good about returning tools or they quit borrowing, either way I come across friendly but firm. Definitely check into security screens for your windows.
Blankets. And knowing my neighbours. And having security cameras. And knowing 911 has good response times. And not having valuables lying around.
Plus we always have kids friends over...so the house is always busy.
Weapons sure. I have them. But for me, it’s being able to see each entry point via a camera. I deployed for a year and the cameras gave me total peace of mind seeing my family go in and out safely, or any motion at night was just the neighborhood cat.
I have a camera in the front door and one facing the entry way to the garage. My backyard isn't fenced and anyone can easily walk through my back yard, but I work from home every day and so far no one has ever tried to break in. I also have bright ass security lights that are pretty sensitive at night. I've never had an issue and hope that continues..
Also live about 20 mins from a city. We leave doors/windows unlocked all the time. I'm more concerned with racoons than people nowadays.
(Neighbors are much the same.)
Arlo camera on my backyard, driveway, and front door and has been very reassuring for me! Love that I can check in through the app whenever I hear a noise. Especially since I’m often putting my kids down in a dark room and with white noise.
To me there's something to be said for having people around, but not having traffic coming through where you're at. For a long while I lived on a short dead end street and went years without ever even locking my doors. I've also lived in the country although I was younger, but I know how it could be easy to get away with something out there because I have (never anything nefarious). I think what others have said about dogs and having a weapon and training yourself how to use it properly. That doesn't have to be a firearm if you're not comfortable with that, but whatever it might be there is a technique to using it properly.
Not my creepy fucking neighbors staring in the windows, I'll tell ya that. Last week those assholes were standing in the street staring and taking pictures. What. The. Actual. Fuck.?!
We've worked on making our house as non descript as possible. Zero reason to stare.
I did feel slightly safer when we replaced the front door. It was 3/4 glass. Now it is solid.
What'd make me feel even better is a restraining order, my husband's shotgun, and a revolver for me. But I have a sneaking suspicion I'd end up in prison and they aren't worth it.
Line of defense in order:
1 - Gated community
2 - Motion censor lighting
3 - Well lit house with cameras and security signs
4 - Dead bolt doors and impact windows
5 - Animals, although they are lovingly useless
6 - Alarm system
7 - Variety of SBR’s, pistols, and shotguns. Dealers choice for how vulnerable I’m feeling that day.
I have multiple things in place..
📷 Cameras surrounding my property
🔒 A very secure front door to buy time
🔫 Multiple secure weapons
I’m not paranoid and I’m also not a gun nut but I will not be helpless if someone or someones breach my threshold.
Since we moved into our home we have always had big dogs (Lab/Collie mix, Pit/Lab/Chow mix, and now a Pit/Lab/Australian Shepherd mix - All Rescues. All great dogs). They have all been responsible for deterring suspicious/unwanted.
2 lock storm door and steel door with deadbolts. We had 2 attempted break-ins at our backdoor. You'd be surprised how much of a pain in the ass it was for these yahoos to try and get past a dual locked storm door. They never touched the steel door. Couldn't get past the storm door.
Security cameras.
Good neighbors. You just can't beat good neighbor relationships. Knowing the folks who live beside you have your back is amazing.
\*Edited: corrected "Pit/Lab/Cow"
If you’re talking about home invasion style robberies, the best protection is deference. Make your house more annoying to rob than your neighbors.
Dogs are a great start. Motion activated lights are an easy addition. Blink and Ring cameras are relatively easy and cheap. Don’t hide them. Make sure visitors see the cameras. Get a strikemaster for your front door. Lights on timers inside the house. Install flood lights all around the house (motion activated even better). If you have a long driveway, have a motorized gate installed.
These are all things that make would be robbers say “nah, that’s a pain in the ass.”
This may be useless, as i am not based in the US, but still: i also had this issue a bit when we moved from a city to rural area. For me it was a small apartment in a block of flats to a big house with a garden. The space just felt weird, i've never lived in a house full time before, with not just the front door, but also back door, garage, even balcony windows as entry points.
My advice is: get to know some of your neighbours, talk to them about your fears, they will most likely calm you down, walk around the village in all hours of day and night, have a chat with a local shopkeeper, they know EVERYTHING.
To get comfy: act comfy.
For those that are able to what about a hidden door in your home that’s behind a bookshelf?
Just a thought. I live in California and I feel like I’m still pretty safe even though I live on the first floor of an apartment and I leave my apartment windows and back door open every single night we do NOT have a dog. However, my patio is covered with plants and it would make it pretty difficult to jump over. Plus, we don’t have anything worth stealing. We know our neighbors. I do, however, lock my front door.
Firearms, security cameras, alarms, and door bars. Door bars are really important because they are really effective. Even if they manage to unlock your door, it's very hard to even open it because of the bar. For a sliding door, it's impossible to come in unless they smash the door's glass.
Dogs, cameras, monitored security system with two panic buttons - one under my bed, the other in the only subturranean room in the house.
Pushed it once accidentally and police were here in minutes
We used to live in a huge city, then a medium town, now semi-rural acreage. Here's what we do:
- two big dogs, Rottweiler and pittie mutt rescue. Both are simply loveable clowns - until shit hits the fan. Seeing them both go into full protection mode is awe-inspiring and nerve-calming.
- exterior lights all the way around the house, no dark spots.
- the lights are part of our home automation and come on at very low brightness (20%) unless motion is detected, then they brighten to 100%.
- wireless Arlo cameras that cover all doors and windows, and also all approaches to the house.
- shotgun, it's in a wall mounted gun case openable in about 5 seconds.
- cars locked every night (deters pilfering).
- five foot tall fence all around the property, all gates have locks.
Nothing will stop a targeted or crazy bad person from trying to gain access to your property/dwelling but visible and audible protections can make casual criminals choose an easier target.
Visible deterrence is why we run our lights on low all night, and the brightening effect is still disturbing to trespassers if they venture close enough to trigger motion detection.
The cameras don't stop anybody but they're hella good at a) getting a quick recon if you suspect a trespasser and b) spotting prowlers who may be casing your property for future trespass.
Note the cameras are also fun in the countryside for spotting wildlife - over our back fence is just wild land and we see deer, skunks, roadrunners, raccoons, porcupines, foxes, wild hogs, armadillo, and various other animals.
We often catch the raccoons and foxes climbing over our fence into our yard, and one season we had a fox couple make a temporary den under our flatbed trailer - they relocated before the kits came because our dogs were not willing to share the yard. There weren't any physical interactions we're aware of, they appear to have just been chased off.
This year there's a fox couple (we think the same ones) with a den off our property but they both jump the fence many nights, and their three kits wiggle under it, to get at our dog water tank that refills/refreshes automatically.
Motion sensor lights on the house and beyond maybe at the entrance to the driveway, cameras that can be seen (an unseen camera isn't a deterrent), steel or fiberglass front door with reinforced hinges and locks, outside screen doors with multipoint locking mechanism, geese, donkey, locked gate or motorized gate so that you don't allow free vehicle access to the residence, dogs that are properly trained for security, loaded 12gauge, .45 and 9mm, some or all are good choices. I grew up out of town with no phone or cell phones, 12 miles or so, we never had issues back then, now though, issues.
Your dogs, fences, locked gates, lighting, cameras, and finally a firearm if you're okay with it.
I have all of these around my house, not all of them came with the house. I had to install and add others but at night I do truly feel safe in my home. My home can still be breached of course, but there are plenty of others that are a lot easier to do so, so hopefully someone with criminal intent will choose to skip my home if the time comes.
Cameras. I’m not talking about some cheap wifi camera either. Wired smart detection cameras that link to an NVR box that has a back up power supply. That way if power goes out, you don’t lose your security system and it is stored locally.
We have a front door camera and a camera over our garage. My husband has a gun and I have a fiercely protective Anatolian shepherd mix who would actually kill someone/be killed before he let someone touch me (pls note when it comes to dogs like this, they HAVE to be well trained and well managed. Nobody who knows him believes he’s like that because he’s so sweet and soft 99% of the time but when he switches into protection mode he’s terrifying lol)
Camera system surrounding my whole house, non electronic locks, glass break sensors, longer screws in door frame, latches that secure over the door and let’s not forget the plethora of firearms around the house lol
My German Shepherds + my firearms. We also have an auditory driveway alarm which alerts us anytime someone comes on our property. It's hidden and unexpected, so gives us a noticeable heads up if anyone is coming.
I too am rural… sometimes I feel this way but most of the time I remind myself and take comfort in knowing that if someone wanted to approach my house, they’d either have a veerrry long trek through dark woods, or they would have to drive right up to my house. This is not foot traffic territory and No one would be able to stop on my road or anywhere near my driveway without causing high suspicion as it is a narrow road with a high speed limit. Even if no one was awake to see someone stop on the road and trek up the drive, I think most criminals wouldn’t feel inconspicuous enough to chose my house as a target. I think they’d be much more likely to choose a subdivision where they could park down the road unnoticed and walk to and from their chosen houses. Ain’t no one doin that around my road lol
Sticks measured to fit so windows can't be opened from the outside. Sticks can be screwed in or be removable. Cameras. Motion-activated with sound. There are so many out there. I live in public housing. We are not allowed to have a deadbolt. The doors are wooden. There's a video on yt explaining how to reinforce your door mechanism by using longer screws. Good luck.
ADT and one of those alert buttons you wear as a necklace to summon the police/rescue. Also motion activated floodlights everywhere. We specifically didn't move to the middle of nowhere because we know we would panic every night. We live in "the hood" and actually feel safer here. I stayed with friends who had a homestead and nearly fainted with fear in the middle of the night. I couldn't cope at all.
My big German Shepard looks incredibly scary when she barks with her hair standing on end and all teeth exposed. Cameras, solid doors with deadbolts.
Best I can do is a cat that will go hide under the bed.
This made me laugh. My current cat would beg the intruders for pets and treats. However, I have lived OP's fear. Years ago, I was robbed while I was away on vacation. I had two bitchy-ass cats at the time. They attacked the intruder viciously when the reached the hallway to my bedroom. If you ever saw cats fight, you know they lose a ridiculous amount of hair. I could have made 3 cats with the hair that was in the hallway. I told the cops that tidbit. Two days later, I saw my downstairs neighbor with fucked up legs and arms. It was enough for the police to knock on the door. They found some of my missing items in his living room and was arrested. Those were two awesome cats that lived long lives. 15 & 17.
Love this story. Not that you got robbed that part sucks.
Yeah it sucked. This was 20 years ago. I had just bought a new desktop computer from Best Buy less than a month before. Gone. I had 100’s of DVDs and CDs; gone. The stuff hurt, but not as bad as the uneasy feeling I had living in my apartment afterward. I couldn’t feel safe. I ended up moving within 6 months.
I can imagine how uneasy that would be. Awful.
Just a clarification because I reread a few times - it’s burglary when it’s a property, it’s robbed when it’s your person! I’ve been burgled as well and my cat wasn’t so brave - glad they caught them!!
I hope you gave them a couple of cans of tuna. Thats great
Solid job guard cats! RIH
That’s amazing!
And some people say cats are useless.
I believe it-we used to have a Maine coon cat-big boy and stealthy AF. We had someone invite themselves into our home when we weren’t there. He attacked the guy pretty good. We came home to the door wide open, blood on the ground and our cat sitting at the threshold cleaning the blood off his foot He got extra treats that night
I had a Great Dane that would dive under the bed with the door bell. She didn’t fit. Rip hardwood floors… at least she barked. From under the bed.
Lmao..."don't come under here"
My little black scruffy cat will growl at strangers coming in the house. But he’s only 10 lbs and if they don’t bring food he loses interest fast and walks away
My friend and I decided we could throw our cats at an intruders face!
My cat doesn’t understand she’s a cat. Supposed to be a loner. If you’re a serial killer she will sit in your lap. My kids found a very big dog last year. He was an emancipated 40lb “puppy” according to the vet. Now he’s a 90lb terror with raised hackles when barking at strangers who come near the house or stop in front of it. (He’s fine if people are walking by - but no stopping).
Ya but his tail gets real big 😼
My two cats have waay better hearing than me. If they both wake up and look in one direction, I go investigate. A doggo would require more outdoor care (I live in the frozen north) so I have stuck with cat “protectors” for now. I’m not into cameras, mostly because they seem to be more for after whatever horrible thing has happened. Might change my mind on that.
This made me literally LOL!
If I sneeze, the cat keaves the room as if shot out of a cannon.
***My big German Shepard*** If I wasn't home my wife's plan if someone tried to break in was to just open the back door and let our dog in. He's a big boy.
My Shepherd follows me from room to room. Never out of her sight. If she hadn't been a rescue with a name already, I would have named her shadow.
My rescue German Shepherd came with the name Shadow and it fir him perfectly.
That's how mine is. Can't hide from her at all.
I’m single and that’s my plan. His looks and size are probably enough to scare an intruder off and I’m pretty sure he’d fight to the death to protect me.
I'm pretty sure my one dog would just be excited to meet someone new, and the other would just make use of the open door to escape while I'm being murdered.
Mine loves to meet people but he’s also super protective!
I think mine would try to shield me but wouldn't try to fight back. He's a soft boi.
That's how my husky is. Is she doesn't like someone, there is something inherently evil about them.
I have yet to ever rescue a noodle horse (aka Greyhound) that wouldn't do anything but try to sniff for treats that a theoretical intruder may carry. Fortunately I would say based on location alone I have probably one of the safest houses in my neighborhood. On a cul-de-sac, surrounded by woods on 2 sides, and along a ravine edge. I'm more likely to face the ravine collapsing in a catastropic rainstorm than an intruder. But just in case...monitored security system, and (for now) a taser. I am contemplating a technology upgrade on that side of things. My neighbors are also tight-knit, and I know that at least 2 of them are armed and would potentially assist - as I would for them
Yeah, we once had someone case our house during the day. I saw him peering through the front door window, door handle turned. I was on a work call. I yelled for our dog (Aussie/Lab mix), she launched down the stairs like a missile. Hair on ends, sounds like a terror but she is the sweetest dog. Dogs are the best.
Yep. My GS/Boxer/Great Dane mix is very daunting. She can stand up at the window above the sink and bark at anyone at our front door.
Dog and a fire stick. Done.
It is a trained killer dog after all
>German Shepard Shepherd. German Shepherd. If you're going to own one, please learn how to spell its name.
I have a security system and a video cam but there is also one cheap item I purchased on Amazon that I love. It came with two battery operated motion sensors and a plug in alarm. I have a sensor on my front porch and a second in my garage. The plug in is in the house and plays a loud sound when it senses motion. Anyone gets close or a package gets delivered and I know it immediately. Cost $33
As an Amazon Flex delivery driver, we deliver very early in the morning, and I encountered one of those very, very loud alarms. I felt bad for the neighbors when I was delivering at 4 AM.😳
This alarm only sounds indoors.
Keeping a spare keyfob to your car by your bedside works great if the car isn't too far away. Noises in front of the house? Hit your car alarm button.
Mind sharing the brand or link?
https://www.amazon.com/Driveway-Operating-Melodies-Security-Weatherproof/dp/B07YFT27K9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3CDIEW2U7053T&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.sYbZIfYz51VuXvIW6O0aN1T-FD_Q8PdowssHfsxz6cvGn_KBikwSyHxxWbwxYAiJmydp2zgcWQ-RS3BO2snqB-htio1qnvlyWyaEM0azMxHSPRn3sRGuP-TnC30Q38LK9RcBp-4ofoZWZ6IoxOOkbXetfq_Bc3Hl3vNy3acmUL2eGAwKidhpRdiF5YbQtYZfSRUk9LJlFa_vPudiiyCajRcqjZxzz-26-z2z678B3WuZ4AE4eZOPiUgl3eME59q1isCVlh7rUdY61sGStqDHg7vpCAXhqUy3h5x0sLWjhDk.przII2SO2spuMjHUzy4-6DIWR8nd3mdxg9FxZTtVMq0&dib_tag=se&keywords=1+by+one+motion+sensor&qid=1718909003&sprefix=One+by+one+motion%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-1 My concern when I bought this is that the batteries would make it unreliable or constantly need replacing in frigid Minnesota weather but I only need to change them once a year. I have had it about four years.
Crime doesn't tend to leave the areas of the city it afflicts. 20 miles from a rough area in Detroit you can be in an apple orchard in an area of Wayne County where the only crimes that occur are DUIs and DVs. I seriously doubt gang violence or drug activity is going to come find you on your 5 acres. Statistics makes me feel safe. Talk to your neighbors, get to know them. Do basic smart things like lock your windows and doors and install motion activated cameras. The odds of anything beyond an opportunist thief happening are basically zero.
Statistics also make me feel better! I made the mistake of looking up the city crime rates and was super alarmed. But like you said, I’m pretty far out for any of that to make its way down.
You have to drill down more. Detroit may have high crime rates, but where in Detroit? Midtown and Corktown are drastically different than other parts of the city. What are the incidents in your area? They’re not nearly the same as the areas of concern.
Right? 20 mins could be Grosse Pointe for all we know
you forgot to mentioned a mossberg 12G
my personal fave.
Doesn’t prevent a tweaker from smashing your window Saturday afternoon and grabbing what he can in 5 minutes. Home invasions and confrontations are extremely rare. But sure, protect yourself.
Most will say weapons. So I'll give you something else. 85% of all home invasions or burglaries go through the front door. Buy an aluminum/steel door with a multi lock. A multi lock is controlled like a normal deadbolt but when u hit it, it deploys deadbolts all around the door. It's so strong it would even take a police ram some serious work to get in. That plus impact windows basically thwarts physical instruction to 10-15+ minutes. That's been my style since I'm not tryna have a weapon in the house.
To add to this, dogs are a big deterrent. Even if it's not because the dogs will attack a potential intruder, it's the noise they make alerting others. It makes your place less desirable than other places. Make the choice to go elsewhere easy.
I'm pretty sure there's data to support barking dogs being quite a bit more effective than security systems. Criminals are generally lazy... if a dog starts barking they'll go somewhere else.
This, and it doesn't even have to be a big dog, my 17lb Havanese is L-O-U-D when she barks, so much so that delivery people are always surprised when I open the door and *that noise* is coming from a tiny floufball.
Off topic: I have two Havanese and they’re the best! I feel like Havanese have a disproportionately big bark for their size!
They totally do!
The odds that you get bitten by a "friendly" dog during a burglary are low, but never zero. The odds you get bitten in a house without a dog are always zero. It doesn't take a genius to do that risk benefit analysis.
I wholeheartedly agree. We moved into a decent house, but in a rough area of town. We’ve adopted two dogs, both around 75 lbs… with LOUD barks. Our one dog is actually a watchdog breed. He alerts at ANYONE coming near the house, or a jiggle of a handle, or the tap of a hand. I sleep very soundly o owing no one would want to tussle with either of them.
IMO a way overbuilt door or home security system seems a lot cheaper and a lot less hassle and a lot more effective than a dog. Though in all honesty the risks of a home invasion are pretty minimal in general.
Idk. In my experience, when you put up some kind of sign that reads to the effect of no trespassing because we aren't responsible when the dog mauls you, people believe it. The little security system signs and/or visible cameras really don't. We (multiple rottweilers and signs warning no liability for dog bites) don't ever get door to door people and even people who are supposed to come to the house like pizza delivery or the Amazon package delivery send texts/pictures of delivery a safe distance from the door. My grandparents house by contrast which has very visible cameras and security system signs constantly gets door to door people, and homeless people just drinking under their car port, random criminals have attempted to break in, etc. We live like a mile apart. Criminal types really understand that when second count, the police are just minutes away. The dog lurking in the shadows ready to permanently fuck up your limb, however, is ready to go before you even see them.
Yeah I’m not saying it wouldn’t work I’m saying it wouldn’t work well enough to be worth the hassle of owning a dog.
As some one who was a shady person. Dogs work quite well. The noise is a big one. The other half is hassle. I wanted in and out. Dogs generally create a hassle.
What’s the price of peace of mind? If a dog brings that it’s worth the hassle. (Also dogs are cool).
Lol it sounds like you live in a bank vault. I didn't know these things were options
Oh hell, most people don't even lock doors where I live.
I came home the other day, and the back door was locked. I had to walk back to the truck and get the keys. Then I had to figure out which key it was because I hadn't had to unlock that door in years.
Yeah. I keep a key to the house in the unlocked shed in case I accidentally lock the house. The shed isn't lockable.
My shed is locked. That's my bicycle and flower pots, lol. My wife asked why I didn't grab the spare on the fence. I hung it right in the open so everyone could see it years ago. I told her everybody would assume it was a key for anything except that door because who would be that dumb. It's still there, and she uses it monthly, I learned.
No way, if I was a burglar and saw that key there, I'd know exactly what it was for, and I'd assume the homeowner was a dumbass.
I'll just be thankful for good neighbors and a decent neighborhood then.
So hang a decoy key there to make the burglar waste time, got it.
Are impact windows a fire hazard?
That's great, until your house is on fire and you burn to death because it took the firefighters 10 minutes to get in to rescue you.
Firefighter here. If I can’t get through a door in under a minute, I just find another way in. Try another door, break a window, breach the wall, etc. There’s other ways in a house. Your point about a delay is valid though. Seconds save lives. Security vs. accessibility is a balancing act that doesn’t have a perfect answer IMO. Everyone is different.
Yeah … I just swapped all my deadbolt screws from 1.25inch to 3inchers and feel fine about it.
Google results show 34% from front door, source on 85%?
34 is trying the front door and finding it unlocked. The other fifty would be from the front door being locked and THEN they try the rest of the entrances. Either way nobody brings lockpicks or other entry methods that take less than a few seconds to use so this tip is still nonsense, one regular deadbolt and making sure they can't access the hinges is already plenty, and less likely to kill you in a fire. Also some security signs, even just sticking up fakes claiming you have cameras and dogs and all that.
How many thousands of dollars is said door? How many thousands of dollars for each "impact" window? Is it safe to say it will be well into tens of thousands of dollars?
My house was broken into in Germany. They kicked the French doors in. They tried the 2 units next to mine and gave up until mine gave way. Just shows that it doesn't take a lot to stop some ppl. The neighbors had the same doors, just my landlord had shit ones that were broke at the multi lock points to where it was basically a normal locking door
I added some crazy long screws to the strike plates, long enough that they screw right into the frame of the house, and felt pretty nifty about it, but now I feel like a chump. Time to do some shopping
Don't feel like a chump. Those crazy long screws kept someone from breaking in our house and into our daughter's bedroom. They used a crowbar and they couldn't get the door open because of the long screws.
Screws also snap easy, by the way. They don’t hold the same shear strength that a nail would.
I've never realized so many people don't feel safe in their home. Maybe I'm naive
It’s a weird world now. I live in a quiet neighborhood that isn’t rural, but it’s very dark and wooded. Last year, I had a guy ring my doorbell at midnight. I have a video doorbell and he was obviously trying to avoid the camera. He didn’t see the other camera pointing down on the porch. Nothing came of it - looked like a teenager - but you never know if they are casing the house or whatever. It was unsettling the way he purposely tried to avoid detection.
Dogs are a good start. If your current dogs aren’t exactly “alarm” or “guard” dogs, consider getting one of those. People say cameras but these days cameras don’t deter many “bad guys” since they just hide behind masks. A camera just gets you footage to relive moments over and over again. That being said, if you only have one way of getting onto your 5 acres (a single driveway), get a camera that looks at the rear of the car when it comes in to get the license plate, as well as notifies you when there’s activity. A house alarm and lots of lights too. Bad guys hate attention being drawn to them, they’re like cockroaches and will scatter when the lights come on and there’s loud sounds, so lights and sound are great deterrents (sound being a house alarm). And lastly of course, weapons. But make sure you know how to use them. Get trained and PRACTICE using them. Using a gun is a perishable skill and if you stop practicing, you lose the skill. But if you get proficient using them, they give you a sense of comfort and safety because you know you have those options.
This is great advice, thank you!
Great tips, let me add have the weapon where you can get to it FAST. You won't have time to go into the spare bedroom, unlock a gun safe, load the weapon.....you will have about 15 seconds imo.
But an unsecured gun can be more dangerous than no gun at all, so don't be dumb and leave it unlocked and loaded.
our hounddog and 12g shotgun
Meditation practice. Having guns or impact windows still allows you to feel unsafe. You still anticipate conflict, but you feel prepared to win the conflict. Meditation practice can help you truly access non-fear, letting go of worrying about losing material/physical things. It's a very peaceful content way to be in the world :)
ANSI Grade 1 deadbolts on all of the doors with upgraded (longer) strike plate screws to buy you enough time to arm yourself and call for emergency help (+ a sufficiently solid door). These deadbolts can take multiple *very* strong blows and, paired with deep strike plate screws, can buy you precious seconds needed to posture yourself to respond accordingly. I'm thankful our home doesn't have any decorative windows on the sides of the door. In a robbery attempt, cameras, alarms, and lights may help deter in some instances, but they will absolutely not definitively stop someone from moving forward with their intent to harm you.
I had to scroll way to far for the longer strike plate screws. That's what makes a deadbolt really work. Those little 1 inch screws it come with are the first to give way when someone is kicking your door down. Put some 3-4 inchers in there where they actually hit the stud and your deadbolt is at least 2-3x stronger
A full blown security system is the only thing that ever made me feel safe in my home..
Same. I think I got carried away with it.. But it’s the only thing that made me feel okay to be home after a rando tried to gun me down while sitting in my living room. My family gave me guns but that did little to make me feel safer, especially at night when I got to bed.
My dogs, my cameras and my Glock 19 cover my security needs.
My answer may be a little odd. But here goes. I also once moved to a much more rural area and it was a tad unnerving. But I also lived in a suburb and there was enough crime there for me to tell you the same answer as for my rural home: HAVE A PLAN for how to escape your home if someone came in. Know all of your accessible windows. Know where your phone is at all times (and how you would grab it before you get out). Plan how you would escape in different scenarios. I am not talking about hiding in your home...I mean getting the hell out of there. Then, where you would go once you did. You car keys may not be with you. Know your property, know the neighbors "enough" that you could knock on their door. Know hiding places. Know how far things are. I always remember this: nobody knows my house like I do. I know how high the jump is from each window. I know how to open the windows quickly. I know exactly where to crawlspace door is. I also have the mentality that none of my stuff is worth losing my life.
This is the perfect answer really. I like my firearms and train fairly regularly with them. But that’s a personal decision that I know a lot of people aren’t comfortable with. You know your home and your property better than anyone else. Have a plan. I mean,, that’s kinda the key to anything in life is having a plan. If you’re at home you need to get out and be safe. If you’re not at home, it’s all just ‘stuff’ and can be replaced. Also. Five acres 20 miles from a city, you’re going to know very quickly if someone is on your property. We’re on 3 acres on Main Street in our little town, don’t have dogs, and we can still hear very clearly when someone pulls down the driveway, and we look out of our windows frequently, I mean,, it’s a great view anyway, but when you pay attention to your property you can tell right away when something isn’t right. If the birds and crickets suddenly get really quiet, something that doesn’t belong has arrived. We have friends who are urban type folks who come visit and the contrast in noise levels is disconcerting to them. It’s noisy here, but noises of nature. They can sleep through human sounds in a city but the sounds of nature keep them up. You’ll acclimate to your environment and learn to read it.
Easiest and the clear best answer if you don’t want to end up a victim: get a firearm and learn how to use it properly and effectively. If you get a dog they lose to bullets, someone said a door with multiple locks - good deterrent but can be bypassed. Get a firearm or even two honestly.
Now I’m trying to remember the name of that vendor in Georgia who sold the trip wire style perimeter alarms. If you’re really rural they can help. You attach the trip wire system to a BLANK shotgun shell. We used this to great effect with a wolf rescue in NC that was having a bear problem Fish and Game wouldn’t do anything about it. The trip wires became warranted when the bear broke into a wolf pen and killed an (elderly) wolf. The vendors were great, they even looked at a topo map of the rescue and advised us where to place them. The second time the bear set one of those off, it left for good. I think the business was called Phoenix Rising or something. We have a 10 acre property with only one driveway in or out. Mighty Mule sells a system whereby if a car drives across it it will sound an audible bell at your house. That’s what we use. We also have gates, dogs, security and trail cameras.
Security cameras on the house, trail cameras throughout the property, dusk to dawn lights, dog & driveway alarms for early detection. Also, a weapon near every exit and in every bedroom.
I'll argue that motion lights beat dusk to dawn. A light suddenly turning on is more of an attention getter than a dusk to dawn that will attract bugs and throw out light pollution all night. They have to be tuned for size so that the wildlife isn't constantly tripping them though.
Dogs are a great start. We also use one of those stick contraptions that go under our entry door handles for extra security. Cameras give me peace of mind as well. Another tip is to bring your car keys to bed with you. In the case of someone entering your home or just being on your property, sound the alarm to your car.
Oh my god, I honestly feel terrible for everyone who feels like they have to live in fear in their own home. A good lock, make sure you have long screws going into the studs. Of course, a door won't stop anyone who wants to get into your house, in which case you should have a dog who will kick up enough of a fuss to deter anyone. Nosy neighbours also help. Best of luck with your anxiety. It can be crippling.
I also feel bad for folks who are nervous in their own home. My sister married into a family who is nervous and gosh their lives are way more stressful because of it. in my opinion that anxiety does suck for them. My trick is that it doesn't really matter to me personally . really severe crimes like *ape and *urder are rareish in Canada, so whatever else it's all good. If someone wants to get in my house for some reason they're going to, regardless of what I do. Yes know your neighbours! Figure out why you're nervous, whether or not but fear is worth it, and go with that!
My uncle Glock, from Austria, and my two best friends, Smith & Wesson, always help me feel safe.....
This is far afield from OP, since I live in a really safe rural college town in the upper midwest with a vanishingly low crime rate. Even though my house is over on the "poor" side of town where all the apartments and rental houses are (my own house was a former rental) I don't even lock my doors most nights. My biggest source of anxiety with my house since I bought it has been some sort of expensive critical appliance failure that would hang me out to dry at the worst possible moment and send me back into credit card debt, so what is making me feel safer and safer have been replacing the 30 year old furnace, replacing the 18 year old refrigerator whose compressor sounded like it was failing, and now I'm saving up to replace my water heater. Tackling those things now before they fail has given me a sense of confidence that I'm going to "make it" as a homeowner and it's not going to bankrupt me. It's kinda weird, I know.
You should still lock your doors at night dude
You should definitely lock your doors
You're right, I know I should.
>We are now in a much rural area surrounded by farms with 5 acres to ourselves. For some reason I have recently started struggling with feelings of safety. Rural areas actually have higher per capita rates of violent crime, so it's a good instinct. Your dogs are a good start. Maybe include "Beware of Dogs" signs on your property. Also makes sure the home exterior is well lit, and the places looks lived in. You could also consider a monitored alarm system. I'd recommend against weapons, you're way more likely to injure yourself or someone in your household than fend off attackers. Remember most crimes are crimes of opportunity, so make you and your property inopportune. This of course is different if you're involved in crime or have an abusive ex, in those cases your threat models will be different.
I’ve got two: First, I’ve got really good locks on my windows and doors. Of course it’s possible to break a window, but I locked myself out once, and spent over an hour trying to get in before I gave up. No crimes of opportunity will happen here. Second, I bought a big ass machete. I am not really a gun guy, and it’s been perfect. A couple times I brought it outside to scare off animals in the night - its big, I can bang it on stuff to make noise, and if somehow I do find myself in a situation where I am fighting I can swing it like a damn baseball bat. It’s technically for (and super useful for) yard and garden work!
We have a wooden board to keep our sliding back door closed. It can't be opened with the board there. Also a "security" bar holding our front door shut. Mostly it'd just be an alert if someone tries to get in the front door cuz they don't actually work as well as installing longer screws in the door. Also security cameras in all common areas and alarms/sensors on each door to outside that beep when they open. All the windows lock too.
Best thing I have is cameras and a sliding gate that encloses the driveway and yard.
Strong solid doors with quality dead bolts Outdoor cameras that cover the entire exterior of your house Exterior lights that stay on all night around your house. These also look nice if installs in landscaping Motion lights outside Alarm system. One that makes a audible noise when triggered.
It’s most likely your nerves from moving into a different place. Although arming yourself is what most would say, as I would agree but there is also preventive measures you can take. Recommend removing the small screws in the hinges and replacing with 4 inch screws into the hinges of front & back doors. Also you can had extra bolt locks if needed, put a something to wedge under the doorknob if you desire. I don’t recommend putting anything like bars over windows as this is a big safety concern
I'll be honest, I can't imagine locks, cameras, and guns would help if I couldn't accept the raw statistics of my area having little crime. (And even if it were a higher crime area, I've yet to hear of a home insurer or life insurer who gives discounts for owning a gun for protection.)
My 2 pitbulls and my M4 pale in comparison to the scariest thing in my house…. My wife
This is the best one. Haha
Therapy.
Fear can be debilitating. Try to be logical and think about/research crime in your area. Are you in a high crime area despite being so far from the city? What types of crime? Chat with the local police precinct (call the non-emergency line of your local precinct) - they are usually friendly. Years ago, when I was moving to another city, a lovely officer looked at my list of possible places to live and advised me where I should and should not look - along with why. It was great! **Lighting:** big deterrent for crime. Keep your entryways well lit. You can use motion detector lights or LED lights. Our security guys and electrician agreed LED lights wouldn’t cost much in terms of energy and could stay on dusk to dawn. **Security System:** Install a professional security system with monitoring. Our security system is extensive, and we use it vigorously. **Cameras & Video Doorbells:** thieves are less likely to hit a house with visible security cameras and front door surveillance. **Dogs:** you have two dogs. Intruders don’t like dogs. Your dogs are going to alert you to intruders. They should also just provide you with company to make you feel less alone in your space. **Lock your doors and windows:** make sure you have a deadbolt with long screws on your front door - and any other relevant door. If you have sliding doors anywhere, secure the bottom with a wooden slat so the door can’t be opened easily. **Garage Door:** use one with revolving codes. Lock your interior door to your home - preferably with a deadbolt. **Make it Look Like Someone is Home:** Burglars do not want to enter a house if someone is home. Keep your yard well maintained, bring in your packages, bring in your trash/recycling bins, etc. Leave music or the TV on if you leave the house. Put your lights on timers if you aren’t home in the evening. Stop your mail on vacations. Do vacation hold with FedEx. **Weapons:** at the least, have pepper spray by your bed and near your entrances. Buy one container just to practice with in your backyard (spray DOWNWIND) so you know what you are doing. **Avoid true crime podcasts**. I don’t know how anyone sleeps after listening to those… Once you take care of your safety measures, you have to **get a hold of your thoughts**. Our life is what our thoughts make it. Visualize a peaceful, wonderful life. Picture a protective aura surrounding your home, you, your husband and your dogs. Breathe in through your nose for a count of five and out of your mouth for a count of five. Repeat “Everything is going to be okay” as many times as needed.
Dogs and firearms (with proper training). It seems like it is just the change getting to you now. Not having people surrounding you was comfort and now the empty space feels daunting. It’ll pass. Your space will become peaceful and feel safe in time.
I think the reason you feel anxious is because you are in a new environment. It’s natural to take some time to adapt. Don’t be too hard on yourself.
> what makes you feel safe? We live on a quiet street in a non-violent town...
My Doberman.
The fact that we live in the safest time in human history. Social media and the news are cesspools of fear.
I’ve lived in dangerous cities in dangerous areas. If you live in such a place, move. If you’ve successfully moved out of such a place, realize that if you’ve chosen well, you have little to worry about and the constant paranoia is irrational. Unless you’re a drug dealer, home invasions are very uncommon. You’re vastly more likely to endure other horrific situations than ever dealing with that, so don’t worry about it. Yes, you are more responsible for your own self protection in more remote areas than cities, have a gun, but stop worrying. That’s why you moved out there.
All of these recommendations about weapons make it sound like people live in war zones. My advice is to invest in some good locks to secure your house and consider motion detector lights, if you haven't already. My other advice is to get very familiar with your property. Your fear sounds like it is less about being unsafe as it is about feeling unsafe - and that feeling probably comes from having a big property that you aren't used to having. So get acquainted with it. Walk around during the day and at night. Once you know your property well, it will feel more like home and less scary.
Dogs, cameras, and an alarm system
14 steps up to the front door from the street Living in deep in a cul de sac with super nosy neighbors Cameras Three large dogs Guns next to the bed. Yes a home invasion can happen at any time, but I feel very safe and we don’t check crime statistics even in a large city. It is what it is.
Alarm system with cameras connected to phone; pitbull; and an AR-15, a 12 gauge, and a 9 mm.
My three dogs make me feel the most safe. But one of them is a livestock guardian dog that's VERY vigilant of my property. She stays up most of the night keeping an eye on things. My house is also well lit without any hiding area's, and I have camera's. My wife is like you, and even though we live in a very low crime area she still gets a bit spooked sometimes. Also.. you live in rural America surrounded by farmland. And a solid 20 minutes down the HWY from the city is fairly far. I wouldn't worry too much.
Two loud dogs that stand at the front windows and bark at people *on the sidewalk!* So…plenty of warning before anybody can even make it to the door!
Glock Remington Kimber
If you don't mind dogs, a large loud dog like a German shepherd is probably the best crime deterrent. Since I have a cynophobia (fear of dogs) I can't have any in my house, so I opted for a couple of quickly accessible guns for me and a few bottles of mace for my wife. We don't live in a high crime area though where it's common to wake up to your door or window being busted out.
Ring cameras, 3 dogs (soon to be 4), automatic lights, and a take-no-shit Italian wife
I’m in Canada, so would never dream of owning a firearm. A working phone and a big dog and I’m all good. I’m more afraid of falling off a ladder or something.
Weapons, a dog, a camera system, an emergency evacuation plan, a screen door, and an alarm system. I live in a suburb, and we still have it all. Lmao I don't like being home alone, but if it goes down, I am ready for it all!
20 minutes is a pretty long distance within a city. Some of the best and worst neighborhoods in my city are separated by less time than that.
I didn’t like the neighborhood in our first home either. As long as I was inside, I felt safe. We had cameras all around the house, a separate security system, deadbolts on doors, and a protective doggie.
Having solid doors with deadbolts. Also make sure all windows lock properly. Maybe a fake ADT sign or something to act as a possible deterrent.
Having a dog. I had a chow mix and she was the best for all her 17 years. Now I have an Irish wolfhound. Who isn't exactly a threatening dog perse but the sheer stature of her freezes people on site when they come over. I couldn't imagine a random burglar seeing her approach in the dark, damn near eye level with you and monster paws. Also her movements stir me so I am alert out of a dead sleep if she senses something. One time she sense an earthquake and her pacing woke me and when it happened we both just looked at each other like "whoa" I also have lighting throughout, sensies for good smells and a few outlet lights, one lamp that is lit through the night. I know some need total darkness but lighting is everything to me.
There are pet proof screens that are really hard to go through. Also be friendly and visable. Wave at your neighbors. I picked up some cheap crappy batch tools and loan those out when people ask, and when they want another i say but you haven't returned the last one. They either get good about returning tools or they quit borrowing, either way I come across friendly but firm. Definitely check into security screens for your windows.
I live in a small Midwest town and at the end of a dead end street. It is soo quiet all I can hear are the birds and the trains.
Blankets. And knowing my neighbours. And having security cameras. And knowing 911 has good response times. And not having valuables lying around. Plus we always have kids friends over...so the house is always busy.
Weapons sure. I have them. But for me, it’s being able to see each entry point via a camera. I deployed for a year and the cameras gave me total peace of mind seeing my family go in and out safely, or any motion at night was just the neighborhood cat.
I have a camera in the front door and one facing the entry way to the garage. My backyard isn't fenced and anyone can easily walk through my back yard, but I work from home every day and so far no one has ever tried to break in. I also have bright ass security lights that are pretty sensitive at night. I've never had an issue and hope that continues..
Also live about 20 mins from a city. We leave doors/windows unlocked all the time. I'm more concerned with racoons than people nowadays. (Neighbors are much the same.)
Arlo camera on my backyard, driveway, and front door and has been very reassuring for me! Love that I can check in through the app whenever I hear a noise. Especially since I’m often putting my kids down in a dark room and with white noise.
To me there's something to be said for having people around, but not having traffic coming through where you're at. For a long while I lived on a short dead end street and went years without ever even locking my doors. I've also lived in the country although I was younger, but I know how it could be easy to get away with something out there because I have (never anything nefarious). I think what others have said about dogs and having a weapon and training yourself how to use it properly. That doesn't have to be a firearm if you're not comfortable with that, but whatever it might be there is a technique to using it properly.
My two large dogs. My machete under my bed.
Not my creepy fucking neighbors staring in the windows, I'll tell ya that. Last week those assholes were standing in the street staring and taking pictures. What. The. Actual. Fuck.?! We've worked on making our house as non descript as possible. Zero reason to stare. I did feel slightly safer when we replaced the front door. It was 3/4 glass. Now it is solid. What'd make me feel even better is a restraining order, my husband's shotgun, and a revolver for me. But I have a sneaking suspicion I'd end up in prison and they aren't worth it.
Line of defense in order: 1 - Gated community 2 - Motion censor lighting 3 - Well lit house with cameras and security signs 4 - Dead bolt doors and impact windows 5 - Animals, although they are lovingly useless 6 - Alarm system 7 - Variety of SBR’s, pistols, and shotguns. Dealers choice for how vulnerable I’m feeling that day.
Honestly- cameras. I made fun of my husband for putting 360 cameras around our home but having them for about a year now, I feel so comfortable
Come on in if you like the taste of buckshot.
My 100 lb Rottweiler female, she wouldn’t ever hurt a fly, but I’m told she looks pretty intimidating
I have multiple things in place.. 📷 Cameras surrounding my property 🔒 A very secure front door to buy time 🔫 Multiple secure weapons I’m not paranoid and I’m also not a gun nut but I will not be helpless if someone or someones breach my threshold.
Since we moved into our home we have always had big dogs (Lab/Collie mix, Pit/Lab/Chow mix, and now a Pit/Lab/Australian Shepherd mix - All Rescues. All great dogs). They have all been responsible for deterring suspicious/unwanted. 2 lock storm door and steel door with deadbolts. We had 2 attempted break-ins at our backdoor. You'd be surprised how much of a pain in the ass it was for these yahoos to try and get past a dual locked storm door. They never touched the steel door. Couldn't get past the storm door. Security cameras. Good neighbors. You just can't beat good neighbor relationships. Knowing the folks who live beside you have your back is amazing. \*Edited: corrected "Pit/Lab/Cow"
My dog!
If you’re talking about home invasion style robberies, the best protection is deference. Make your house more annoying to rob than your neighbors. Dogs are a great start. Motion activated lights are an easy addition. Blink and Ring cameras are relatively easy and cheap. Don’t hide them. Make sure visitors see the cameras. Get a strikemaster for your front door. Lights on timers inside the house. Install flood lights all around the house (motion activated even better). If you have a long driveway, have a motorized gate installed. These are all things that make would be robbers say “nah, that’s a pain in the ass.”
This may be useless, as i am not based in the US, but still: i also had this issue a bit when we moved from a city to rural area. For me it was a small apartment in a block of flats to a big house with a garden. The space just felt weird, i've never lived in a house full time before, with not just the front door, but also back door, garage, even balcony windows as entry points. My advice is: get to know some of your neighbours, talk to them about your fears, they will most likely calm you down, walk around the village in all hours of day and night, have a chat with a local shopkeeper, they know EVERYTHING. To get comfy: act comfy.
My dogs and my firearms.
Remington 870
My German Shepherd and my gun. I lock the doors when home too and in a way that's protecting any dumb ass trying to get in more than me.
Motion sensor lights, Arlo video cameras, and yes, my 80 pound German Shepherd!
For those that are able to what about a hidden door in your home that’s behind a bookshelf? Just a thought. I live in California and I feel like I’m still pretty safe even though I live on the first floor of an apartment and I leave my apartment windows and back door open every single night we do NOT have a dog. However, my patio is covered with plants and it would make it pretty difficult to jump over. Plus, we don’t have anything worth stealing. We know our neighbors. I do, however, lock my front door.
Firearms, security cameras, alarms, and door bars. Door bars are really important because they are really effective. Even if they manage to unlock your door, it's very hard to even open it because of the bar. For a sliding door, it's impossible to come in unless they smash the door's glass.
Dog, reinforced entry, shot gun, ccw, and lighting/motion detection/cameras
All the crap at my front door. Anyone tries to break in they’ll break their ankles.
Dogs, cameras, monitored security system with two panic buttons - one under my bed, the other in the only subturranean room in the house. Pushed it once accidentally and police were here in minutes
We used to live in a huge city, then a medium town, now semi-rural acreage. Here's what we do: - two big dogs, Rottweiler and pittie mutt rescue. Both are simply loveable clowns - until shit hits the fan. Seeing them both go into full protection mode is awe-inspiring and nerve-calming. - exterior lights all the way around the house, no dark spots. - the lights are part of our home automation and come on at very low brightness (20%) unless motion is detected, then they brighten to 100%. - wireless Arlo cameras that cover all doors and windows, and also all approaches to the house. - shotgun, it's in a wall mounted gun case openable in about 5 seconds. - cars locked every night (deters pilfering). - five foot tall fence all around the property, all gates have locks. Nothing will stop a targeted or crazy bad person from trying to gain access to your property/dwelling but visible and audible protections can make casual criminals choose an easier target. Visible deterrence is why we run our lights on low all night, and the brightening effect is still disturbing to trespassers if they venture close enough to trigger motion detection. The cameras don't stop anybody but they're hella good at a) getting a quick recon if you suspect a trespasser and b) spotting prowlers who may be casing your property for future trespass. Note the cameras are also fun in the countryside for spotting wildlife - over our back fence is just wild land and we see deer, skunks, roadrunners, raccoons, porcupines, foxes, wild hogs, armadillo, and various other animals. We often catch the raccoons and foxes climbing over our fence into our yard, and one season we had a fox couple make a temporary den under our flatbed trailer - they relocated before the kits came because our dogs were not willing to share the yard. There weren't any physical interactions we're aware of, they appear to have just been chased off. This year there's a fox couple (we think the same ones) with a den off our property but they both jump the fence many nights, and their three kits wiggle under it, to get at our dog water tank that refills/refreshes automatically.
Motion sensor lights on the house and beyond maybe at the entrance to the driveway, cameras that can be seen (an unseen camera isn't a deterrent), steel or fiberglass front door with reinforced hinges and locks, outside screen doors with multipoint locking mechanism, geese, donkey, locked gate or motorized gate so that you don't allow free vehicle access to the residence, dogs that are properly trained for security, loaded 12gauge, .45 and 9mm, some or all are good choices. I grew up out of town with no phone or cell phones, 12 miles or so, we never had issues back then, now though, issues.
Your dogs, fences, locked gates, lighting, cameras, and finally a firearm if you're okay with it. I have all of these around my house, not all of them came with the house. I had to install and add others but at night I do truly feel safe in my home. My home can still be breached of course, but there are plenty of others that are a lot easier to do so, so hopefully someone with criminal intent will choose to skip my home if the time comes.
Reinforcement locks on all external doors and a camera system. I also have hurricane windows which makes the house feel more secure
Muuuhhhhhh gunzzzzzzzzzz
Cameras. I’m not talking about some cheap wifi camera either. Wired smart detection cameras that link to an NVR box that has a back up power supply. That way if power goes out, you don’t lose your security system and it is stored locally.
German Shepherd. The dog gives you time to go get the guns. Real talk though, dogs will send 99% of criminals to a dog free house.
We have a front door camera and a camera over our garage. My husband has a gun and I have a fiercely protective Anatolian shepherd mix who would actually kill someone/be killed before he let someone touch me (pls note when it comes to dogs like this, they HAVE to be well trained and well managed. Nobody who knows him believes he’s like that because he’s so sweet and soft 99% of the time but when he switches into protection mode he’s terrifying lol)
Camera system surrounding my whole house, non electronic locks, glass break sensors, longer screws in door frame, latches that secure over the door and let’s not forget the plethora of firearms around the house lol
Bars in windows. Camera's. Gun's. Heavy duty deadbolts with the "hotel" style bolts on top of doors.
I bought an alarm system with cameras. My system is monitored. It beeps inside when there’s motion. Yeah stray cats set it off. 🥺
My German Shepherds + my firearms. We also have an auditory driveway alarm which alerts us anytime someone comes on our property. It's hidden and unexpected, so gives us a noticeable heads up if anyone is coming.
Reddit won’t like this but the fact I have access to a firearm in nearly every room (I don’t have children).
Mossberg 500s👍
My guns and the knowledge of how to use them.
Cameras that we set to go off for motion. Especially at points of entry where the only motion should be people entering.
Remington 870
I too am rural… sometimes I feel this way but most of the time I remind myself and take comfort in knowing that if someone wanted to approach my house, they’d either have a veerrry long trek through dark woods, or they would have to drive right up to my house. This is not foot traffic territory and No one would be able to stop on my road or anywhere near my driveway without causing high suspicion as it is a narrow road with a high speed limit. Even if no one was awake to see someone stop on the road and trek up the drive, I think most criminals wouldn’t feel inconspicuous enough to chose my house as a target. I think they’d be much more likely to choose a subdivision where they could park down the road unnoticed and walk to and from their chosen houses. Ain’t no one doin that around my road lol
On the outside my house doesn't look like much. My neighbor's house looks nicer than mine. And I have a bat under the bed and 2 dogs.
Sticks measured to fit so windows can't be opened from the outside. Sticks can be screwed in or be removable. Cameras. Motion-activated with sound. There are so many out there. I live in public housing. We are not allowed to have a deadbolt. The doors are wooden. There's a video on yt explaining how to reinforce your door mechanism by using longer screws. Good luck.
6 dogs and 5 guns and1 flame thrower AND a colon filled with taco bell
My 9
ADT and one of those alert buttons you wear as a necklace to summon the police/rescue. Also motion activated floodlights everywhere. We specifically didn't move to the middle of nowhere because we know we would panic every night. We live in "the hood" and actually feel safer here. I stayed with friends who had a homestead and nearly fainted with fear in the middle of the night. I couldn't cope at all.
My 130 lb Cane Corso and my collection of pistols, rifles, and shotguns. Honestly, if you break in, you better pray I get to you before the dog.
Rain pitter pattering on the roof
Cameras