Security at home

Read this 10 Minute article as it could save you days,weeks or even months of trouble.

How many hours do you spend at home? How many hours do you spend working to live there with all the stuff you bought? In comparison how long have you spent securing your home and the safety of yourself and family? On average a home invasion happens every 26 seconds in the U.S. So its a pretty good idea to secure your home. There are many options when it comes to security, so pick whats right for you. Lets go over some of the elements or "layers" of home security. I'll provide some great equipment links at the end as always.

Exterior measures: Lets start outside the house. First thing criminals see.

Fence: If you have a fence that is a great start to security! If its chain link, consider privacy slats. If its picket or wood consider reinforcements such as steel poles attached to the posts.

I'm not Karen from the HOA but keep up with your lawn, make it look like someone takes pride of their home and spends time there.

Lighting: Passive lighting is a good start. Porch lights, side lights, solar walk way lights.

Light is a major deterrence during the night as a criminal is easily seen. Next would be as I call it "passive aggressive" lighting. Motion sensor lights, remote solar motion lights, Remote,smart or switch activated lights. It'll spook anyone from your daughters boyfriend trying to sneak over to criminals when that spot or flood light flips on as they approach your house. Putting motion lights up are a great way to not only protect you from home invasions but trespassers and other unwanted persons or animals on your property. But a word of caution, put them up or the correct type up where they won't be triggered all the time by trees or passing cars etc. Flood lights over your back porch or shed. Small spot light over the front or side door garage door are awesome ideas as well.

Passive defenses: These things are a more passive way to help secure your house without making it look like a prison. Remember in my blog about fire safety when I stated that mulch was not a good thing to line the perimeter of your house with? well stone,rock, pebbles are a beautiful passive defense. They sound like freight trains in the dead of night when stepped on. Criminals and other unwanted guests would likely avoid coming up to the side of your house if they had to step on something that made all that noise. With or without a fence a security sign of some sorts is a great deterrence. Something along the lines of "WARNING!! HOME SECURITY AND CAMERAS IN USE!" or "protected by ABC security" even if you don't have a security system(you should).

External security cameras: External security cameras are an amazing tool.

Not only are they a HUGE deterrence to criminals if seen, they provide you with a peace of mind that you can check on the outside of your property at any time. I strongly recommend a mix of cameras and covering all sides to avoid any blind spots. Placing cameras at high angles and out of reach is a good practice. It gives you a wider line of sight covering more area and keeps the cameras from being tampered with. Ring,Arlo,Floureon and many other companies offer a whole line of products to pick from. Take an assessment of your home and needs to pick whats right for you. If you can't decide or feel like a professional opinion, Look up who does security assessments or installations and they can help you. I offer two home security services myself(look on FSG's facebook under services for more info).

Internal measures: These can be a bit more comprehensive depending on each house or the level of which you want to secure.

Doors: One of the first things you should do when you move into a new place is replace the screws in the door with at least 3 inch deck screws. Doing so will sink the screws into the frame of the door not just the trim of the door frame and make it much more secure. Here is a comparison:

Next would be to change the locks to new and stronger locks. Deadbolts or top and bottom "kick" locks added if not already installed. There are smart locks, chains, door stop locks and many more, pick whats best for you. Another addition to door security is the "night lock". basic concept is a steel plate that slides in front of the door or pulls up from the floor to add a stop that is not attached to the door or frame. Glass doors are a weak point, consider having them replaced or add security film to make breaking through them much more difficult. If you decide to keep sliding glass doors make sure to add at least on security bar to the track to prevent easy break ins.

Windows: Windows are a easy target for invasions as they are not structurally hardened usually. Adding security film is a great way to improve on security of windows. Making sure they are locked is a major step. They have security tabs that prevent windows from fully opening as well as bars that prevent windows from opening. Window break alarms are also a great addition to have.

Alarms: These come in a variety of different models and types. From smart alarms that can alert you via apps, to hardwired systems to alert police directly and local alarms like those cheap window or door alarms. There are pros and cons to each system, research all of them and see what works for you. If your house is often empty and or remote, i would suggest a monitored alarm along the lines of ADT or such. If your house is semi occupied or the cost and or fees of a "professional" system are not attractive, try a smart system like I have. No matter what you pick, you should have sensors on all doors and windows. Yes, even those on the second floor. Additional sensors could include water or fire sensors, monition sensors and Driveway alarms. There are so many combinations that I couldn't possibly cover them all.

Lighting: As with the exterior lighting, interior lighting can be a huge deterrent as well. Combined with blinds or thick curtains, a person on the outside would only see lights are on and that could mean some one is actually home. Especially if the home is not occupied a lot or is a BOL or vacation home, Lights set to turn on randomly is a great scare tactic.

To continue on to scare tactics. Interior lights that turn on when the alarm is triggered is also a great thing to set up.

Planning and Action: Putting it all together is the key to all of this after you have done everything. Having a action plan for scenario A-Z is a great idea to cover with your family. But you also want layers of security to interact with each other as well. So lets set up a quick scenario for you.

03:48HRS EDT

Jonesville,VT

Your new home- 2 story raised ranch with 2 car garage set 75ft back from local side road.

Your peacefully sleeping in your new home for the first time. Larry birdbrain the local crook has been casing your house as you moved in. Little to his knowledge, tonight is your first night sleeping there with your family. Cars parked in garage, but you still have opaque plastic over the windows in there because your painting. So Here comes Larry Birdbrain sneaking up your driveway in the wee hours of the morning. so here is where we will split the story.

scenario A(prepared): As Larry hops over your driveway fence he sets off the Infrared driveway sensor, sending a loud beep to the receivers. You awake from the sound to look out the window but see nothing, so you dismiss it and lay back down. As he approaches about halfway down the drive you hear the second beep for sensor #2. you get back up as you know there is something in your driveway. What it is exactly is yet to be found, so you take your mag light and shine it quickly down the drive expecting a deer or other animal. You see nothing but still get an off feeling. As you pull up your security camera app, Larry crouches in the tree line contemplating if tonight is a robbery night or armed home invasion kind of night.

The house and yard are empty as you stare at your app still half asleep. Must of been a animal you assure yourself and lay back down. Larry waits a few minuets and makes the sprint to the side of your house in between the shadows. As he sprints forward your monition flood light activates and he hides beside the back porch. Since your blinds are drawn and your eyes are closed you don't notice the light switch on yet, but larry is spooked and decides it's not worth the risk because the house is well secured so far.

Scenario B: (He decides he wants to continue on) Larry's heart is pounding and he makes the worst decision of his life, He chooses to continue on. Sneaking ninja like onto the porch, He thinks he is unnoticed. Your motion alarm on your sensor #3 goes off as well as your notification of motion from rear porch on your camera system. You jump out of bed, Tell your wife the code word and its action time. With in a nano second your finger is on the print reader as you and your wife grab your guns. she goes and gathers your kids as you slip down the stairs with your gun and phone. She moves herself and the kids to safety as she calls the police as you position yourself with concealment but in view of the porch. Larry targets the good ol glass slider on the porch. Trying with all his might to pry open the reinforced door with no luck. You an hear the sirens far off in the distance, They wont make it in time to catch Larry outside. Larry tries the window next and is able to pop open the bottom half as he quickly climbs through. But in the distance he hears "5!,4!,3!,2!,1!" "Rear porch window activated!" as the security systems starts to scream its 200db siren inside and out. Larry freezes instantly, all the outside lights turn on, the Interior lights start to strobe and in the 0.03 of a second of light he sees a shadow appear. He goes to draw his gun but your quicker than Texas Red and BANG BANG BANG! three 9mm center mass. you move in clear Larrys 45 and the room. This is typically what happens when a criminal is not smart enough to get the hint that someone who lives here isn't a victim.

scenario C: (your a scrub and have no security or defenses) Larry is able to walk from the street across your front lawn and open your front window and let himself in. He scavenges the first 2 floors but isn't happy with his haul yet. He walks up the stairs and steps on a squeaky step, This wakes you up out of your blissfully ignorant sleep, you grab your "home defense bat and flashlight." But is too late to do anything to prevent whats about to transpire, you enter the hallway to be point blank in front of Larry and his Hipoint 45. He has you show him the money and jewels as he then ties your whole family up. takes everything of value and your muscle car out the garage as you sit there helplessly. You have completely failed to protect your castle and your family.

This is why it is important to be proactive instead of reactive. Please follow my advise and Make your home and family safer.

equipment: Please use these links to buy any of the mentioned products as it costs you no extra but helps FSG with small commissions.

https://amzn.to/3fyINZq Powerpro 3inch deck screws

https://amzn.to/33wqIsB kwikset knob and deadbolt combo

https://amzn.to/2Px9wuF Nightlock barricade lock

https://amzn.to/30BJKMd BFD 8MIL security film

https://amzn.to/2XShvav lion lock window lock 10 pack

https://amzn.to/2PvU95F Amazon 27 inch adjustable security bar

https://amzn.to/2XBIFSI 4pack solar motion lights.

https://amzn.to/33xNqR2 quarter mile driveway sensors

https://amzn.to/2XzkIeA independent window and door alarms.

https://amzn.to/2XF3igW smart home security system

https://amzn.to/3gEAVHc ZOSI 1080p 4 camera with DVR system