DIY Security: What did you do today?

I thought I would start a fun thread. And since I am a new homeowner and a prepper I am getting a bit paranoid the more I walk around my house and see easy ways to get into a home. The goal of this thread is to post little projects you have done that help harden your home from theft, burglary, etc.

I'll start off.

I did this today on the back door to my garage:
http://youtu.be/To_o7Yq2wgY

And I did the zip tie thing they suggested at the end of this:
http://youtu.be/kSO_HTBHLFI

Post your tips and tricks!

Some things worth Mentioning:

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Originally Posted by Irving

Make sure you don't make stuff so complicated that you, wife, or kids have a hard time getting out in the event of a fire or fleeing from someone who is already inside.

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Dang. Now you made me paranoid about the garage door latch thing. Guess I'll have to tie wire mine when I get home.

rock, log, tire iron etc + window, almost every house. I always get a kick out of crazy door locks with a 6x4 window right next to it. If Im robbing a house, Im not going to even try the doors. Knew someone who had a birdbath thrown thru a window to break in! Want to be secure, better have bars at minimum, on all windows. How many people store ladders outside? Walla, instant access to the upper story. I guess Im a pessimist, but all I see with any home security is barely slowing intruder options (locks, bars etc), and shorten span of time inside (alarms). Kinda of my feeling on safes too.

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Originally Posted by rbeau30

I thought I would start a fun thread. And since I am a new homeowner and a prepper I am getting a bit paranoid the more I walk around my house and see easy ways to get into a home. The goal of this thread is to post little projects you have done that help harden your home from theft, burglary, etc.

I'll start off.

I did this today on the back door to my garage:
http://youtu.be/To_o7Yq2wgY

And I did the zip tie thing they suggested at the end of this:
http://youtu.be/kSO_HTBHLFI

Post your tips and tricks!

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That's how I got in my house one night I locked the wife and I out

The first vid was just painful to watch but I'm glad he's doing something.

blue locktite on the screws that hold your deadbolt together.

Replace one screw in each hinge with a 3" deck screw

Replace all screws on the strike plates with 3" deck screws

Outward opening security door instead of a screen door.

Cameras for when they get pissed and throw a rock thru your window.

12" of poured concrete on every side.

bushes like roses or junipers under all ground level windows. Sensor / motion lights around the property. photoelectric lights at each entrance way. This way home or not, lights are on. For your garage dooe 1'4" angle iron against / behind the dead bolt lock area, inside;) the garage. Combined with 3" screws that way is one less access area to woryy about.

http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.45830...49211&pid=15.1

If someone kicks in your door, what do you have to slow them down, once inside? Kids toys, small table, sofa etc works wonders. DO you have a clear field of fire at an opposing team, with enough cover for you or the misses?

The windows in my shop/garage are 1/4 lamanated glass.

Keep em coming! The more things we put here that are easy to do and can be done in a weekend the better!

Hard Targets! We cannot be Burgular-Proof, but we can make it hard for them!

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Originally Posted by ray1970

Dang. Now you made me paranoid about the garage door latch thing. Guess I'll have to tie wire mine when I get home.

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Give me your address and I'll swing over, break in, and do it for you. ;)

ETA: Wulf, on a serious note, why only one 3" screw in each hinge? Why not all of them?

Also, I've been thinking about this stuff lately as well. Make sure you don't make stuff so complicated that you, wife, or kids have a hard time getting out in the event of a fire or fleeing from someone who is already inside.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Irving

Also, I've been thinking about this stuff lately as well. Make sure you don't make stuff so complicated that you, wife, or kids have a hard time getting out in the event of a fire or fleeing from someone who is already inside.

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AND to keep the Mrs happy... Make it so the end result looks nice? Another thing to think about for the DIYer.

Many of the suggestions are great! You are not going to prevent someone from grabbing a landscaping brick and throwing it through a window... but from what I have read in most burglaries the perp goes through a door because it is easier to carry stuff out. PLUS, kicking in a door real quick is easier way to get in and get out. The determined criminal will get in no matter what.

Let us not forget why they are criminals to begin with. They do not possess the know how to hold down a job or are too lazy to exert effort to support themselves. They want an easy target. If they try kicking in your door and fail at the first 5 or so kicks and your door does not move... they will move on to the next house that is easier to get in and get a payday.

When people leave flex in barricade bars it actually makes it harder to gain entry than when they are flush with the frame. If their are bars on the windows I refuse to make entry until we rip every single one off. Keep in mind it only takes a few seconds to make entry through reinforcements with a k12 regardless, or we can just cut through the siding. These things deter more than just crimials, they will deter firefighters as well. (PLEASE don't put junipers or any conifer below your window, if your neighbor has a working fire they can light those things up, the heat pops your window, and bam - conflagration).

You want to know what works well for deterring criminals? Lots of lighting around your property and obvious cameras.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Irving

Give me your address and I'll swing over, break in, and do it for you. ;)
ETA: Wulf, on a serious note, why only one 3" screw in each hinge? Why not all of them?

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Most hinges on exterior doors use a large head screw, put a 3" deck screw up next to them and compare, the large pan heads aren't the same as deck screws. If you replace them all they will push thru the oversized hole and your door will be on the floor.

The correct sized head screws are zinc plated or nickel making them inherently brittle where as a deck screw is malleable. Meaning the correct screw is more likely to shear and the deck screw more likely to bend.

Most people who kick a door kick at the strike side, where you should kick so the need to armor the hinges is small.

Even if you kick at the hinges you will encounter the pin of the deck screw.

Even if you kick at the hinges you will have to kick each hinge open, spreading the kicking force from the top hinge to the bottom spreads the load better than at the strike side where most of the screws are within 8" of each other.

Deck screws are cheaper to buy in bulk and you'll probly need the rest of the box elsewhere, like the strike side or the deck. 1 box could do a house with some left over.

People tend to use whatever bit is in the drill vs the correct bit you should be using with the larger pan head screws and just strip the hell out of the Phillips slots.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rbeau30

but from what I have read in most burglaries the perp goes through a door because it is easier to carry stuff out. PLUS, kicking in a door real quick is easier way to get in and get out. The determined criminal will get in no matter what.

Let us not forget why they are criminals to begin with. They do not possess the know how to hold down a job or are too lazy to exert effort to support themselves. They want an easy target. If they try kicking in your door and fail at the first 5 or so kicks and your door does not move... they will move on to the next house that is easier to get in and get a payday.

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I've been broken into more than once. Going thru a door is how you get into a house, so they naturally try it first. Broken windows have broken glass, it makes a noise, mess, and risks cutting the perp. The thud of kicking a door could be lots of things, there's only one sound for breaking glass. Most will try to force the window to slide before they break it.

Usually they've scouted the house enough to know no one is home, if they can't force the door they pulled the screens until they forced a window or just used a rock. They know they have time here and scouting a new place takes time and energy.

I purchased some solar motion sensor flood lights from Harbor Freight for under $20 each. They make it handy by not having to run electricity to that spot. I have 5 motion sensor lights around my house and some cameras, both seen and unseen. Since I put up the lights, I have not had any problems in almost 15 years.

The rooster I have is a great alarm. Any time a motion sensor light goes one, he cackles. The rest of the chickens stay quiet. The dog will sleep through earthquakes, so I don't know that she will do any good. If she is awake, she sounds really big.

It is easy to drill an extra hole or two in hinges to run in extra deck screws. Use a larger drill bit to counter sink them in the metal. For the strike plate side, I screwed some metal strapping up and down the jam 12" either side of the locks. Make sure you pre-drill the holes or you will split the wood. Check the style of locks/doorknobs. This is not the time to go cheap. Spend some money and get the better quality. They will last longer and save money in the long run.

Heck with any deck screws. I recently used Spax screws on a project or two. I'll use these on everything now. More expensive, but worth it for the security or items that need to stay put!

http://www.spax.us/

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Originally Posted by gnihcraes

Heck with any deck screws. I recently used Spax screws on a project or two. I'll use these on everything now. More expensive, but worth it for the security or items that need to stay put!

http://www.spax.us/

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Those look mean!

I just got an "Adjust-A-Grate". Made in Colorado, and can pick em up at lowes or Home Depot. I got the optional security Kit along with it. 1 down 4 more to go on securing my basement window wells.
Attachment 38343

To go a step further than the motion lights-
Wire some accent lighting (cheaply run LED) to the base of all shrubs and trees in the yard.

No dark spots around house and adds a classy look for the neighbors to follow.

^ So like Christmas lights but just on the ground?

I'm talking about small upward pointing spotlights. Like 30-40w. They illuminate the leaves and give a nice look, but also cut a lot of dark places

Ahh, uplighting. I figured you meant something that actually looked nice. :p

Although, the Christmas lights scattered on the front yard would send a message to burglars.

I am going to waste a can of Barbasol this weekend on this project.

Attachment 38503

http://moderncombatandsurvival.com/?p=7685

I installed deadbolts at head level on all my exterior doors. It's a bit harder to kick that high. I'll be re-enforcing the doors with the metal strip that goes in the door jam (the name is escaping me right now) to further strengthen them against kick attacks.

edit: the Door Devil is the product I am talking about.

Some good tips, just got it from my PAR officer Representative.
http://homes.yahoo.com/news/protect-...005405786.html

i put a new motion light on the porch. Ive got two Great Pyrs and a wife that always carries her 1911 with one in the tube condition one. that is all.

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Originally Posted by Holger Danske

i put a new motion light on the porch. Ive got two Great Pyrs and a wife that always carries her 1911 with one in the tube condition one. that is all.

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Im jealous :-D

I decided to carry in my house. mostly because what would be the reaction time of someone kicking in the front door and me getting to my firearm?

I carry in the house too. I didnt want to tell the bad guys to wait while I get my gun. I did pick up a cool motion flood light set to be installed. The light with the motion detector can wirelessly turn on the other set of floods. Im going to put them on the corners of the house in the backyard. Also, been looking for a wireless security camera that I can mount in the barn and run over my wifi. Id be interested to know if anyone has done a barn camera system before.

I submitted my renewal for my CCW Thursday...

I just got a Foscam 8910w from Amazom for 70 bucks to put in the basement. Setup was super easy including setting the time ranges for sound and motion detection and the email snapshot feature. Video is decent quality and the night vision is excellent. They have some fixed mount outdoor cameras. My next project is to get one to mount down at the barn. Also, I may need to pick up a neew router that supports port forwarding so I cna use the ddns feature. Im pretty excited as this is my first attempt at video security.

I am researching DVR systems. Hoping to get a 8 chanel with 4 cameras to start and expand as I go.

Wanna put the dvr in basement, and utilize a chase to the attic to wire the cameras I hope to mount under the eves for outdoor.

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Originally Posted by rbeau30

I am researching DVR systems. Hoping to get a 8 chanel with 4 cameras to start and expand as I go.

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Friend of mine just ordered one. 8ch dvr with 4 720p cameras (you supply your own HDD, up to 4tb). Chinese thing for like $350.

We thought he was in the clear from most boogie men out in the country until the other night when the dog flipped out and he opened the curtains to find some asshole in a ski mask standing a few feet from the front door.

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Originally Posted by 00tec

Friend of mine just ordered one. 8ch dvr with 4 720p cameras (you supply your own HDD, up to 4tb). Chinese thing for like $350.

We thought he was in the clear from most boogie men out in the country until the other night when the dog flipped out and he opened the curtains to find some asshole in a ski mask standing a few feet from the front door.

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That asshole would be swiss cheese. Many folks carry at home... I carry the Exsanguinators.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rbeau30

I am researching DVR systems. Hoping to get a 8 chanel with 4 cameras to start and expand as I go.
Wanna put the dvr in basement, and utilize a chase to the attic to wire the cameras I hope to mount under the eves for outdoor.

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I'm interested in your conclusions. I am looking for both a home and commercial DVR/camera system. We just had some guys come back with an initial quote for a 12 camera system for the commercial site, and it was almost $5k. Ouch.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rbeau30

That asshole would be swiss cheese. Many folks carry at home... I carry the Exsanguinators.

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He took a shot. A bit high, but a good thing considering the local laws. I would've done the same. I will not blame the man in his situation. It was not a nice situation for him, before, during, or after the fact. It is never a good thing to have to deal with potentially taking someone's life, but in a situation; like that, I would hope I would have the same reflexes.

Overall, I hope the asshole learned a few lessons
1. Never return
2. Don't ever try that shit again,anywhere, you may die in your ventures.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 00tec

It will be installed next weekend. Network backup from the DVR to a hidden machine and to my home network for extra safe keeping.
I'll be sure to post how it goes.

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This is the Chinese thing your friend is putting in or yours? Which system was it?
I was looking at the Lorex packages earlier tonight. Friend of mine did blue iris - might work ok for home for me, but I'd rather have something a bit easier to maintain for the store.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brian

This is the Chinese thing your friend is putting in or yours? Which system was it?
I was looking at the Lorex packages earlier tonight. Friend of mine did blue iris - might work ok for home for me, but I'd rather have something a bit easier to maintain for the store.

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His. I get an EXCELLENT deal on a monitored system, but due to his location, he has to go independent.

Demcad puts Norm Abram to shame. [facepalm][LOL]

These are handy.

http://www.p-wholesale.com/upimg/21/...h-i022-911.jpg

From the secret storage thread. Electro magnets. This one is 1200lb test.

http://cache1.smarthome.com/images/74083.jpg

I would use phillips head lag screws over deck screw.

A dog is still one of the handiest security systems.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rbeau30

That asshole would be swiss cheese. Many folks carry at home... I carry the Exsanguinators.

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My next thought was that digging a hole in the middle of the night had to suck...

Plant thorny bushes in front of and around windows or any other possible entry points to your home.


sent from a soup can and some string..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by def90

Plant thorny bushes in front of and around windows or any other possible entry points to your home.


sent from a soup can and some string..

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I've said that in other threads. HOWEVER some "firefighter" took exception regarding accessibility/ egress during a fire. Saying to not have anythign blocking the window area.
I understand it from his POV. Myself, the more it deters someone from climbing in, the better.