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.

[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.

[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.

[rbeau30]

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

[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.

[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.