What is the best solution for me for home security?
Someone yanked and stole one of my outside ventilation for my home. When I woke up this morning, my central heating was throwing off cold air. So, I went outside to check on my air/heating unit. As soon as I stepped outside, I saw a hole in my home. That’s where the ventilation (a rectangular piece) used to be.
I have been living at this address for 10 years, and I never encountered any theft or any problems in my neighborhood. Usually, this has been a nice peaceful neighborhood which is why I decided to move in the first place. I just don’t understand what or how this could have happened? I never had any enemies nor do I have any now. Who could have done this and why?
I’m a poor guy making less than $20K, so I can’t afford to get ADT security set up for my home. What do you recommend? Motion sensor lights, motion sensor alarms, motion sensor cameras, or a combination of these? It would prefer an additional small hand-held device which alerts me with a beep if any of the lights or cameras are triggered. I need something reasonably priced setup for my home. Sorry, I can’t afford a dog, either. Please, help. Thanks.
I did fix the hole temporarily. I had stuffed it with large bubble-wrap sheet. It seems to work, and I’m planning to get a new ventilation, and your idea about securing all the ventilations with wires sounds like good a idea.
I’ve got dead-bolt locks on all my doors. I will definitely get those fake security tags. I think I might go with a combination of sensor lights and alarm. Thanks. I appreciate your advice.
December 5th, 2009 at 3:01 am
First off fix the hole, go to someplace like the Coop Home Centre or Rona or somewhere, where you can buy tin that is on rolls for about $1.50 a foot, measure how big your hole is, or go to Habitat and ask about pieces of tin, get some tin snips and cut the piece bigger than the hole and fasten it with metal screws and use furnace tape of something to seal it tightly or caulking, whatever, it sounds like someone was standing on your a/c, cheapest thing get fake security ID tags, you can buy them at Cdn Tire for like 2 or 3 dollars. Make sure all your slider windows have sticks in them that make them tight to the frame.
Sensor lights are a good thing too but remember even a cat walking past will turn them on, but at least on the backside of the house its a good thing.
Had a security system at $30 a month, had more false alarms than anything over a 3 year term ends up costing about $1800 for the system. Anything of real value should be in a safety deposit box, don’t have things that you can obscure your vision like bushes around windows etc. Deadbolts with double keyed locks on doors and sticks in windows. Causse if they really want in they will bust a window anyways.
December 5th, 2009 at 8:45 am
My german shepard does a pretty good job securing my house!
December 5th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Here are some sites that may help you:
Doors and windows can be easily secured. Replace your standard “knob with a keyhole” lockset with something better or add a deadbolt to each exterior door. Hardware stores sell locks that keep aluminum frame windows from being opened unless the lock is removed. They are made so you can get them off in a hurry from inside in case of fire or other emergency. If you have wooden frame windows you can drill a small hole through the opening frame and part way into the stationary frame. Insert a nail into the hole to keep someone from forcing the window open. Do NOT nail the window shut. I prefer photocell light fixtures around my house because they come on at dusk and go off at dawn. Motion sensors are good, too, but the constant cycling causes the bulbs to burn out much more quickly. Be sure to install one where there is a likely target for thieves. Keep your yard cut and any shrubbery cut back so there’s no where for potential thieves to hide.
December 7th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
There was a rash of brake ins in my neighborhood, so after checking and finding out the police had been getting so many false alarms they would only come out if you called them reporting a brake in, so i checked and found a wireless alarm system i could install myself, it came with 16 door and window sensors, 3 motion detectors, 4 key chain remotes, the base unit that if alarm goes off will call 4 different people,
and two sirens that are easily heard all this for $230.00, Its called the Powerhouse X10,
I honestly thought this looked cheap at first but it has worked perfectly, and the sensors hide well.
December 8th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Justin, Nearly 2 years ago I had someone try to break into my apartment. It was late at night and the lights were off, but I wasn’t asleep. I heard a noise at the back door. I sneaked into the living room and switched on the outside lights. It startled the burgler and I saw him run off. . I then called a few burgler alarm service in my city and they all gave installation and monitoring quotes. I recommend you call a burglar alarm system installer to get your questions answered. Most companies offer a free installation special, so inquire about that too.