Nothing exciting guys; false alarm. That has never happened with my system. Lesson; I have no clue how to clear a house. I was alone and armed with a Glock 21 with light. I had four bedrooms to clear, one den, one Florida room, living room, then kitchen to turn the alarm off. I felt awkward and felt like a target moving around my house. What really is the approved method of clearing a room then ultimately an entire house? Thanks
Alarm goes off at 2:19 am
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GLOCK45GUY
Member
That's kinda hard since we can't see your house, which way your doors open, how your home is laid out, etc.
If you definately hear something/one moving in your house then Harvester got it right.
Close the door, call police, crouch in a far corner with lights off, and aim at door.
If wife and kids in house, I would get wife to follow me with 911 aready called and on phone and move to kids room and repeat first drill while wife keeps kids quiet/protects ears.
If you definately hear something/one moving in your house then Harvester got it right.
Close the door, call police, crouch in a far corner with lights off, and aim at door.
If wife and kids in house, I would get wife to follow me with 911 aready called and on phone and move to kids room and repeat first drill while wife keeps kids quiet/protects ears.
Norinco982lover
Member
a strategy would be a great thing to have
I would sit down with your wife and family and decide upon a plan of action for when the alarm goes off. Move family to safe room, easily accesible places for your weapons, who will call 911, etc.
How do you know this was a false alarm?
Your answer is probably: You don't know. You CAN'T know. They coudl have spooked alarm and run off. Maybe they won't next time.
Take care
I would sit down with your wife and family and decide upon a plan of action for when the alarm goes off. Move family to safe room, easily accesible places for your weapons, who will call 911, etc. How do you know this was a false alarm?
Your answer is probably: You don't know. You CAN'T know. They coudl have spooked alarm and run off. Maybe they won't next time.
Take care
RobNDenver
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I guess that I would wonder what kinds of drills you and yours have had to practice these sorts of scenarios? Did you find out what triggered the alarm in the first place?
Bushwhacker
Member
IMHO, find a good instructor in your area and take a course or 2 from them.
Here is a excellent write up of how to clear a building, but nothing can take the place of actual training by a instructor.
I have taken several local courses and believe me when I say it was verying enlightening, learned a lot.
http://www.wikihow.com/Clear-a-Building-With-a-Firearm
The above article has some charts and diagrams in it to give you a idea of what to look forward in training.
But the best advise is; If you don't have to clear it and can wait for the police to get there then wait for the police to get there.
Here is a excellent write up of how to clear a building, but nothing can take the place of actual training by a instructor.
I have taken several local courses and believe me when I say it was verying enlightening, learned a lot.
http://www.wikihow.com/Clear-a-Building-With-a-Firearm
The above article has some charts and diagrams in it to give you a idea of what to look forward in training.
But the best advise is; If you don't have to clear it and can wait for the police to get there then wait for the police to get there.
41magsnub
Member
The correct answer is to trigger the claymores on the perimeter and pop a flare.
TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
That sounds good in theory but in reality you might need to clear the house anyway. You can't call the police every time there is a false alarm, a noise in the house, etc.
And if you have kids you certainly can't barricade yourself in your room and wait on the cops. You gonna leave the kids alone in another part of the house while you wait in the safe room?
Reality and probability suggests that eventually you may need to venture out to determine if there is a threat.
Might as well learn how to do it properly.
CAS700850
Member
I agree on the training. I agree on practicing with an unloaded weapon. And I also agree that you cannot just sit on the high ground, as it were, and wait for the police to come in every situation. Sometimes that bump in the night needs to be investigated. That's where the training and practice come into play. In my opinion, it's also where the weapon mounted light is at it's greatest strength, because my loved ones will be secure in the master bedroom.
Good luck. And good for you for thinking ahead.
Good luck. And good for you for thinking ahead.
armedandsafe
Member
Yes, training and rehearsals.
One thing I always did, when setting up a home for a client was install motion sensors on one light in each room except the master bedroom. The sensors were pointed away from the entrance path from the master bedroom, so the person sweeping wouldn't set them off until after passing the switch controlling them. Anybody approaching from the other directio would set them off.
Pops
One thing I always did, when setting up a home for a client was install motion sensors on one light in each room except the master bedroom. The sensors were pointed away from the entrance path from the master bedroom, so the person sweeping wouldn't set them off until after passing the switch controlling them. Anybody approaching from the other directio would set them off.
Pops
Bushwhacker
Member
Great idea! infact I am going to call the alarm company and have them install one.
GigaBuist
Member
I'm pretty sure it involves flash bangs and 3 more guys.
You know, this comes up fairly often on THR, and the guys who really know their stuff almost always say "Don't clear the house." I've been of two minds about this, but on the whole, I think it's good advice. Particularly when you're alone.
Ask yourself this: do you think LEO's go in to clear a building by themselves? And they're wearing vests and the whole getup. They have backup. Lots of backup.
Nobody's going to think you're a chicken if you call the police. Granted, if you're out in the country and the closest LEO is an hour away, you're in a different spot, but I'm assuming you're in a city/town/suburb. Not that they might not still take an hour, but I'd doubt it.
Keep in mind, you don't KNOW it's a false alarm except in retrospect. Pretty big gamble if you're wrong, yes?
Springmom
Ask yourself this: do you think LEO's go in to clear a building by themselves? And they're wearing vests and the whole getup. They have backup. Lots of backup.
Nobody's going to think you're a chicken if you call the police. Granted, if you're out in the country and the closest LEO is an hour away, you're in a different spot, but I'm assuming you're in a city/town/suburb. Not that they might not still take an hour, but I'd doubt it.
Keep in mind, you don't KNOW it's a false alarm except in retrospect. Pretty big gamble if you're wrong, yes?
Springmom
Tennessee Ned
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Get a 4 legged back up alarm system...D.O.G. enterprises makes some good models. They can not only let you know if something is really there but they will let you know exactly where too.
The D.O.G. home security system has been the number 1 security system in use for thousands of years.
The D.O.G. home security system has been the number 1 security system in use for thousands of years.
Easy- get dogs.
My 4 dogs are happy to clear the house for me. One of my dogs has an extremely noticeable "stranger" bark. His methodology is easy, stand just outside of kicking distance barking and grabbing ankles if the target moves. Stand still and he just barks. He learned it from herding cows.
Thankfully, the only trial run has been with a kid that jumped my back wall. Motion lights went on at around 1am, I let the dogs outside, while I grabbed a gun. All I heard was a really pitiful "sorry..." from the corner of the yard where the dogs had him cornered. I told him to stay put while I unlocked the gate, then I called off the dogs and told him to lock the gate behind him and not come back.
My 4 dogs are happy to clear the house for me. One of my dogs has an extremely noticeable "stranger" bark. His methodology is easy, stand just outside of kicking distance barking and grabbing ankles if the target moves. Stand still and he just barks. He learned it from herding cows.
Thankfully, the only trial run has been with a kid that jumped my back wall. Motion lights went on at around 1am, I let the dogs outside, while I grabbed a gun. All I heard was a really pitiful "sorry..." from the corner of the yard where the dogs had him cornered. I told him to stay put while I unlocked the gate, then I called off the dogs and told him to lock the gate behind him and not come back.
Will look into a panel in the bedroom. With the noise of the alarm and never having a false alarm before it was a pump to say the least. The false alarm was a low battery. In five years no false alarms. Batteries will be replaced, but really need a method to secure home. I don't think it's in me to not check out an intruder in my domain, even though a more prudent approach may be appropriate. Keep the advise coming guys. C
csmkersh
Member
Holding a Mad Minute is out. Clearing a house is not a one person job, but sometimes you don't have an option.
sniper7369
Member
Glad it was just a false alarm.
I just want to tell you though, clearing a house alone is going to be dangerous. I've cleared buildings, houses, apartments, etc, with a whole fire team and it was dangerous.
Of course if you have children in the house things change. You can't stay put and wait. So if you must do it alone, use two lights. A weapon mounted light and a handheld. Another thing you can do is throw something into the room you're clearing. Obviously you aren't going to use flashbangs, but something like a cordless phone or empty can.
I agree that dogs would be a good idea. They tend to be more sensitive to intruders than any alarm is.
I just want to tell you though, clearing a house alone is going to be dangerous. I've cleared buildings, houses, apartments, etc, with a whole fire team and it was dangerous.
Of course if you have children in the house things change. You can't stay put and wait. So if you must do it alone, use two lights. A weapon mounted light and a handheld. Another thing you can do is throw something into the room you're clearing. Obviously you aren't going to use flashbangs, but something like a cordless phone or empty can.
I agree that dogs would be a good idea. They tend to be more sensitive to intruders than any alarm is.
Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
Better a false alarm to practice on than a real one 8^).
I join in encouraging you to get a woofer and let the dog do the looking to determine whether or not there is a genuine threat in the home. As i see it, your place in the event of a repeat is immediately between your family and any threat, not out wandering around the house looking for inventive ways to offer yourself as a target to any intruder.
And yes, there should be an alarm control panel or a remote in the safe room, along with a cell phone, controls for remote control lighting located elsewhere in the house, etc.
I strongly encourage you to look into the NRA's Personal Protection In The Home class- see http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/basictraining.asp to determine if there is a class near you. If there is not, you can order the class DVD at http://materials.nrahq.org/go/product.aspx?productid=ES 26840 , and the textbook at http://www.nrastore.com/nra/Product.aspx?productid=PB+01781 .
hth,
lpl
I join in encouraging you to get a woofer and let the dog do the looking to determine whether or not there is a genuine threat in the home. As i see it, your place in the event of a repeat is immediately between your family and any threat, not out wandering around the house looking for inventive ways to offer yourself as a target to any intruder.
And yes, there should be an alarm control panel or a remote in the safe room, along with a cell phone, controls for remote control lighting located elsewhere in the house, etc.
I strongly encourage you to look into the NRA's Personal Protection In The Home class- see http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/basictraining.asp to determine if there is a class near you. If there is not, you can order the class DVD at http://materials.nrahq.org/go/product.aspx?productid=ES 26840 , and the textbook at http://www.nrastore.com/nra/Product.aspx?productid=PB+01781 .
hth,
lpl
NonConformist
member
Yes, dont do anything, let the Police handle it, after all they are trained for it blah blah blah as a matter of fact, dont even own a gun, the Police will protect you!
Screw that noise, i will secure my kids regardless.
AFA the OP, Id recommend some basic training on shooting in that environment, take a class or work something out. Training really is the best solution
Screw that noise, i will secure my kids regardless.
AFA the OP, Id recommend some basic training on shooting in that environment, take a class or work something out. Training really is the best solution
TeamPrecisionIT
Member
Forget dogs, get GEESE!!! Or guinea hens. I know it sounds funny but if I lived in a more rural setting I would geese as my 'warning' device. And clearing your own house by yourself is dangerous, but one thing to remember... you are clearing your house and you know it better then they do.
Damian
Damian
Been there, done that (twice).
I have an alarm panel in my MBR closet. So, going forward, when/if the alarm sounds, I get the gun and my wife reads-off the zones that were tripped. If it is motion only, 99.9% it is a false. If it is door or window, maybe an attempted break-in. It the panel reads door or window with motion, someone is in the house for sure.
I have an alarm panel in my MBR closet. So, going forward, when/if the alarm sounds, I get the gun and my wife reads-off the zones that were tripped. If it is motion only, 99.9% it is a false. If it is door or window, maybe an attempted break-in. It the panel reads door or window with motion, someone is in the house for sure.
caleb said:
Get training...
You trust an internet forum for how-to info that your life depends on? Don't get me wrong, this is a great place to exchange info and opinions, but for those things that affect you and your family's well-being, please get proper training.
You trust an internet forum for how-to info that your life depends on? Don't get me wrong, this is a great place to exchange info and opinions, but for those things that affect you and your family's well-being, please get proper training.
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