I know that security is a bit of a show and its really more of a deterant, but I was wondering realistically how I could prevent someone breaking and entering a small-ish American home? What is actually effective?
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Top 3 tools that will get you most of the way there.
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Steel door frame reinforcement + steel or solid core wood door. The door jamb is the weakest link here. Cheap steel reinforcement with long screws are an easy win. A quality lock is a good idea.
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Security window film. Best done when the windows are manufactured, but they will deter most people who were counting on a quick smash and grab.
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Dog. No one wants to mess with a dog. Lots of dual purpose family friendly breeds who instinctively guard the home from intruders and can smell the adrenaline of people who don’t belong.
These three things will get you 80% of the way there for 20% of the cost. Cameras just give you memorabilia of that time you got robbed and rarely help prosecution and even less in recovery of stolen goods.
Interesting point about cameras. Why doesn’t the footage usually help?
Think about what the camera even can show.
- you’re not going to see a readable license plate, even assuming they took their own car and parked in front of your house
- so what if you capture a face? There is no universal facial recognition too, and database, nor any way to trace back to where they may be now. If the police capture them by normal means, it’s solid additional evidence, but not useful in itself
- doesn’t matter for insurance. If you make a police report of a breakin, they accept that, and it won’t show what’s been stolen or destroyed
Cameras are good for “the appearance of” security and may deter some. They can trigger lights and attention, which may drive some away. They can also be part of an alarm system which will deter more
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The ONLY way to stop someone who really really really wants into your house from entering your house. Is to not have a house.
Taps side of head Can’t have your house broken into if you don’t have a house.
Being a less attractive target than your neighbours, either by being a bigger hassle or by looking like there’s nothing worth stealing.
Any street-facing windows should always be shrouded by curtains or shutters. Don’t let anyone passing by just see into your home.
Learned that at apartments. Just having everything locked up tight and shutters meant our neighbor got broken into and not us one day.
