Home Security beyond guns...

[alnen]

Looking to cover all aspects of home security. I've got the guns and dog covered. Let's talk everything else, specifically for my new house... I all things, I'm not looking for mission impossible level gear, but I do want it to be effective. Essentially I want the best bang for the buck, as everyone does! Jbum, sublimebeer, other experts: please help. I know each situation is different, but could you include ballpark estimates? I.e. motion floodlights = $80/light, etc.

The house in question is a ranch with basement and drive under garage. There are 4 exterior doors and several windows. 3br/2ba.

Lights... Obviously I need some exterior motion detecting lights. What do I need to get?

Alarm... For my needs, I do not need a monitoring company. Instead, I want the system to text me and my wife when it is triggered, then I can call 911 if needed. The house has a previous system installed, the name of which I can't remember. It's old and I don't think it will support the features I want. Obviously I want door/window detectors, but what else do I need? Broken glass, flood, motion, etc.? Being able to arm via smartphone would be a big plus.

Surveillance... I want 4 exterior and 6 interior cameras. I need to be able to access via smartphone remotely. Big plus if it's integrated into alarm system.

As far as securing windows, how hard is it to add laminate sheeting? Also, are doors with glass panes worth trying to add laminate sheeting to, or is it worth it to replace the door completely? How about an existing skylight?

What are some other aspects to consider? I plan to use grade 2 locks with deadbolt, as well as sinking in 3" screws through the strike plates.
I know this is a broad subject, but I'd like to cover as much as possible to help others too.

 

[sc951]

Nothing, I mean Nothing beats a loud mouth dog. Always on duty, can out smell and out hear pretty much anything you should be worried about. Even a little dog is a deterrent. Nobody want to get bit. Personally I prefer German Shepherds

 

[protective measures]

Some options for consideration:

Monitored security system
Deadbolt locks on all doors
Burglar "deterrent" window locks
Dogs (inside &/or oustside) that bark at any outside presence
Motion activated outdoor lights
Video surveillance cameras
Security gate/ fence if suitable
Locks on any crawl space doors

All that security is great but ineffective if even one family member opens the door to any one of many "Trojan horse" deceptions.

 

[richs]

Claymores along the outside perimeter of the yard would help, punji spikes if you can't get claymores. Permanent "chalk" outlines in the driveway?

Seriously... dogs are the best (and I mean more than one), with plenty of "Beware of Dog" signs along the perimeter. Avoid the "Beware of owner" or signs indicating 'deadly force is authorized', those can be legal slippery-slopes, monitored security system signs are fine, even if you don't have active monitoring services.

 

[MacTavish]

Make sure all deadbolts fully deploy into the door frame. REPLACE the little fastener screws in the strike plates and doorknobs and deadbolts with 2.5-3.0 inch screws. These longer screws will deploy into the 2x4 framing on the door and deeper into the door itself making it very hard for an intruder to kick in the door.

 

[saltydog]

If you are interested we can schedule a time to meet and discuss security cameras options for your home.

I own and operate a security camera installation company in Sharpsburg

 

[brad sweet]

pit fall and spikes from an old fence......impaler style

 

[batoncolle]

You can get a self monitoring system like this one that will call you when your alarm goes off. Otherwise if you decide you want monitoring, SimpliSafe is cheap.

I have a long driveway, and my favorite thing is the driveway monitoring alarm. The Chamberlain is what I use. I have them in multiple locations, and I know when man or beast is out in the yard... I also use motion activated lights along my driveway that will deter people when it hits you head-on with a burst of light in the middle of the night.

 

[Hayata]

Safe room? With escape tunnel?

 

[41mag]

Just get that Ving Rhames looking dude (like on them alarm company commercials) to stand outside your place all the time..
Another thing to think about is good kick plates on the doors...also any room that contains "goodies", I would put an exterior door or at least a solid core door on and use good hardware on. I did this on my den... I reinforced the frame with better/stronger wood and used better hardware with longer screws.
my line of thinking was I wanted it to be as least as hard for them to get into my den/gun room as it was to get into the house. It slows them down a little more, plus if you are there and have to retreat to that room it has a decent door on it. Locks/dead bolts at the top and bottom help too.
Exterior /solid door run me about $125 with frame and all...hardware, locks, etc., about $200. I had a good friend help with labor that knew what he was doing too though.