DIY Security: What did you do today?

[Flatline]

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.

[Wulf202]

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?

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.

[Wulf202]

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.

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.

[encorehunter]

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.

[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/

[rbeau30]

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/

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.

[rustycrusty]

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.

[Irving]

^ So like Christmas lights but just on the ground?

[rustycrusty]

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

[Irving]

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