Burglar proofing your home

[Hunter2011]

I hope this is in the correct location.

Here I am not talking about home invasions. But rather just theft from your home when you are at work etc. What great ideas do you all have that would make it highly impossible for a thief to get entry into my home?
I have insurance, and you get new stuff when anything gets stolen, but there are just a few things that money can't replace. Just a simple example is my PC or external HDD's, that contains photo's etc. How can you replace those.
A family member of mine was ''cleaned out'' earlier this week. He lives in a security complex with a 24 hour security guard. He was at work while he got burglar-ed

Here is the scary part:The police told him that a criminal can open most standard doors with standard locks silently in mere seconds with a crow-bar.

How can you crow-bar proof your home?
Secondly, how can you secure your safe even better than by just bolting it down? I also live in a complex, so they can't make a lot of noise to break in or steal my safe, but I would love to get some ideas to totally burglar proof my safe. I suppose it is relatively easy to tear a safe from a wall using a crow bar.

 

[tactikel]

IMHO, get at least one dog, two is better; home security system, nanny cams sent to your smart phone, and a nosy retired neighbor.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

Hiding/spreading your stuff around is the cheapest option. Burglars want to be in and out. They don't want to rummage through every nook and crany.

 

[Hunter2011]

It seems that the most break-ins are through the front door. So if that can be upgraded I think you are halfway there.
It also seems the locks are not picked, so that is not the problem, rather to what the locks are attached to, like wooden doors and frames. I think I must get something to strengthen the wood frame, then it is not so easy as to just break our a 5cm piece of wood were the locking maganism attaches.

 

[Hullraiser]

Reinforced latch plates with 3-4" screws help for main entry. Other doors that open in can have the adjustable bars found at home stores ect. Under door knob to floor. Double hung windows and sliding doors can be pinned with dbl head masonry nails. Alarm systems are good, especially very loud and with radio trans. Safes can have concealed contacts, pressure pads in front of or proximity alarms that are activated by touching safe.
If you do hide a lot of things in different places , make yourself a list of where. Alarm signs, decals and beware of dog signs don't hurt either as well as light timers when gone.
If you're depending on your phone lines, bury the line and install a dummy line & phone block for decoy. Barberry and other thorny plants in front of windows helps too. If you have a two story, don't leave ladders out for them or other tools. If possible have someone get mail , mow and check on house if gone for more than a week.

 

[USAF_Vet]

Home security is best in layers, but nothing is 100% burglar proof. Just make it so its a difficult target and hope they move on to an easier one.

Reinforce exterior doors, including the door frame. Do the same for windows. Make sure windows are covered, so no one can peek through to see if you have anything worth stealing. We all have valuables, so ensure they are put away or locked up. Dogs are a good deterrent, and while I truly believe my dogs are a deterrent, its not really fair to use them as such.
Alarms are a no brainer, monitored systems have their place, as do security guards, but can be unreliable. Like DVR security cameras, a kinda sorta deterrent, but only helps after the fact.

 

[fallout mike]

There's no such thing. If a burglar wants in bad enough he will get in. You just have to do as others have said. With enough layers of defense they very well may just hit your neighbors house instead of fooling with yours. Alarm system, video surveillance, dog as stated. Now if you are really serious a steel door in a steel frame with a access control 1200# mag lock or striker. They will not open that door.

 

[Onward Allusion]

Send your digital valuable into the cloud. Cloud storage is dirt cheap these days. Worried about it being lifted? Encrypt it before sending upward.

With regard to your other stuff - alarm system (monitored), gun safe, automatic lights, decent locks, & video cameras that upload the footage into the cloud.

 

[*Kemosabe*]

As other posters have advised, the flex in the frame makes it easy to pull it away from the door and allow the bolt to come out of the recess.

The cops were half right. The preferred method is to use TWO crowbars at the bolt level pried in opposite directions to get the job done faster and easier. Steel frames and steel doors are a an expensive solution, but a lock with a longer bolt might be a solution in some cases.

Hopefully the lock is mounted in an exterior grade door. Some contractors take the cheap way out and use hollow core or interior grade doors for entry into the home. No lock will give you protection there. Even some solid core doors are not very strong at the position where the lock is installed.

The lock itself may not give enough protection against lock pickers. A Medco lock, while expensive, raises the bar tremendously against the picker and the keys can only be procured through Medco. There is another brand almost 50% cheaper that is about as good, but I can’t recall the name right now (C.R.S.), but if I come up with it I’ll post it later.

 

[Safetychain]

I really concur with most of the above. My efforts and situation has me fairly content. Probably best is the the nosy neighbor to the point that he is totally anal about it. I put up with it because it helps. Next is an X-10 Robodog. It still scares me when walking up my driveway even aftere 15 years. A security WiFi camera on entrances and safe ($29 apiece) and a homemade house alarm on the doors that activates a 12" 'moving waterfront crane' bell that will go off for 5 minutes if the alarm isn't shut off by an X-10 remote prior to opening any door. Again, even though I installed the bell, it nearly makes me stain my pants when I forget to disarm the system. Take a Google at X-10. They have some very reasonably priced home security products that work well for the do-it-yourself type. And yes I put security off until a close friend lost about 20 guns and a large coin collection while on a job with me.

 

[Walkalong]

Reinforce all door hardware. Leave out some easy pickings for the crooks to keep them away from more valuable items. Most are looking for a quick easy score.

 

[MtnCreek]

Here's something I found while researching a home project: "Prevent fishing". Cheap and took longer to read than to fix.

http://www.familyhandyman.com/garage/garage-security-tips#step2

 

[Drail]

In my experience most break ins are NOT executed at the front door. (whoever told you that doesn't know what they are talking about) Almost every case I have seen entry was gained through a window on the rear of the structure. I have lived in two houses where they came in a rear window and then unlocked the front door. Reinforcing the front door will simply drive them to a window and you most likely have quite a few of those. I have seen breakins where the thieves simply cut through vinyl siding, foam sheathing and drywall. They essentially cut a new door. Older locks are actually very easy to pick (newer ones are a little harder). Most 5th graders can be taught to pick common locks. There is no way to keep them out unless you build the structure with total security in mind. All walls must be brick or masonry and all windows and doors will need iron grilles over them. I have lived in cities where that was commonly done and I did too. Iron grilles MUST be able to be opened from the inside - children have died in housefires because they could not get the window open. A U.S. Senator lost his daughter that way. If the thieves REALLY want to get into your house they will find a way. Any Home Depot or Lowe's sells tools that will allow easy entry into most residential structures. If you have irreplaceable valuables put them in a quality safe and/or hide them inside a false wall or compartment. If they can't see it they can't steal it. Valuable data in your computer or documents should be copied and stored in a bank deposit box. I am much more worried about someone entering my premises when i am home and asleep. I have dogs for that problem. They will wake me up and then I will deal with the goblins.

 

[RustyShackelford]

crime prevention; CPTED, security systems....

I'd look into some basic crime prevention methods & systems. Id also learn about CP-TED(pronounced CEP-TED) or crime prevention thru environmental design.
Put sharp, jagged bushes by your first story windows. Have hedges or plants that block the street view(s) of your yards-property. Buy a well made security system you can use with your smart-phone or tablet. You can remotely monitor your home for break-ins or turn lights on/off.
Contact your local PD or sheriff's office & see if they offer crime prevention surveys. Some do but a few don't(due to budget cuts or staffing issues). A few state AG's offices offer crime prevention training programs(mine does but you now need to pay a fee, ).
An alarm or security patrol service isn't a bad idea. They can avoid false alarms & make a detailed effort to prevent/detain a crook.
Get your mail delivered to a 3rd party vendor or USPS box.
It's safer & you can avoid ID theft/phishing. Some clever crooks steal UPS or FedEx packages or they check mailboxes for high value item related mail; warranty cards, flyers, credit card statements, etc. About 8mo ago, I saw a weird guy going thru old bills & documents in the trash bin by my property.
Watch out for these slick crooks.
Ask your local sheriff or mayor/police chief if they can set up www.smart911.com . It's a improved 911 system that relays details to first responders & speeds up the 911 response. Your details are only saved for 6mo then you must re-do it. No details or information is sold or marketed to third party groups either.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

As has been said, there's no way to burglar proof it.
However, I do agree that making it harder on them may deter them and cause them to seek an easier target. Layers of security are best and a barking dog is always a good option.
If you're travelling for a long time have your mail held and your newspaper as well so it isn't as obvious that you're away.

Little things. They aren't a guarantee, but will reduce the risk.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Garages....

If you have sheds or garages make sure they are secured too.
Many burglars or thieves sneak into homes thru open garage doors or guest houses/sheds/patios.
Be aware of any strange vehicles or people around your neighborhood too.
You don't need to follow them or act like a neighborhood watch but any vans or vehicles that seem out of place may be "casing" a property/waiting to break in.
Also, don't leave tools or ladders out.
Robbers can snag them & break in.

 

[Kleanbore]

Post your vacation pics on social media after you get home.

 

[rodinal220]

I have the door jamb armour on my home.

http://armorconcepts.com/

 

[JTMcC]

fallout mike says:

Now if you are really serious a steel door in a steel frame with a access control 1200# mag lock or striker. They will not open that door.



They don't need too open that door. Unless you have absolutely no windows in your home.

If you have no windows (really???), then a cordless sawsall will make a low profile low sound opening in your exterior wall to the (guess what?!) interior.
But really, who lives in a house without windows? Weld 2" plate at the door if it makes you happy, but the windows (walls, roof) are still stupidly easy to breach if the desire is there.
Assuming a house, apartment/condo dwellers have different needs.

J

 

[Hullraiser]

Mntcreek
That's good advice in garage doors. It's especially easy to fish if there's also windows in the top panels. Once inside garage they don't have to use a door. They can go through drywall or attic to possibly avoid alarms.
------------
Drail
You'd be surprised how many times it's the front door entry. It doesn't look suspicious as going around back and a quick stiff shoulder slam is enough to open most doors.
It's true that many are back or garage service doors as well as double or single hung windows. I've suggested pinning them together with dbl headed masonry nails. Casement windows are more secure short of breaking completely out which is noisy.
As mentioned before, if they want in bad enough, they'll get in. However usually they look for the easiest.

 

[Hullraiser]

Deleted. Dbl post

 

[MedWheeler]

Before I entered law enforcement, I was a firefighter. From that perspective, I should comment on the "sharp, thorny bushes by the windows" idea. Indeed, they suck for burglars to try to get through.

They also suck for you and your loved ones to land in when making an escape from a fire.

Plan accordingly for both scenarios...

 

[fallout mike]

If your house security is to the point where they are breaking out sawzalls then you have SUCCEEDED!

 

[Phaedrus/69]

+1, fallout mike! If burglars need a sawzall to get inside you've done a good job. Plus, there's no arguing with your insurance company over claims since it's pretty obvious that it was a break-in. Note that if you forget to lock your door or a burglar enters an unlocked window (ie not breakage) you'll have a devil of a time collecting from your insurance company.

 

[hartcreek]

You can reinforce the doorjamb all you want but if the burgler has a handfull of bump keys and a small hammer your lock is defeated. There are sites online with instructions on how to build bump keys and even placed to order them. Heck you can even order a pick gun online and that will get you in. No need for crowbars what ever officer gave you that line is clueless.