DIY Security: What did you do today?

[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:


And I did the zip tie thing they suggested at the end of this:


Post your tips and tricks!

Some things worth Mentioning:

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.

[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.

[brianakell]

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.

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:


And I did the zip tie thing they suggested at the end of this:


Post your tips and tricks!

[lex137]

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

[Wulf202]

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.

[Great-Kazoo]

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.



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?

[Colorado_Outback]

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

[rbeau30]

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!

[Irving]

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

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.

[rbeau30]

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.

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.