Front Door Security

[35Rem]

I would think you have the physical advantage with a door that swings in. It's a lot easier to push a door closed than pull one shut. (Keep in mind this is in the event that the door is opened, which is still likely)

The window film is interesting, but I wonder if it violates any building codes (Fire safety)? Seems like it would be hard to get OUT of a house if you had to go through a window with that stuff on it...

 

[MAKster]

Regarding the laminated sheets - What stops the entire sheet of glass from breaking loose all around the edges of the frame? Do they somehow attach the laminated sheet to the frame itself. I know with car windshields the entire sheet of glass will come loose in one piece after three or four hits.

 

[ronto]

Front AND Back Door Security.

Me, my 12ga pump,and my Blue Heeler with a bad attitude.
I carry a 357 Ruger SP101 for cover on the way to get the 12ga.

 

[vynx]

I figure that with enough time they can get in - like if you are on vacation.

I suggest buying a big large safe and putting your expensive stuff in there.

TVs and stereos can be replaced with insurance but there are always some things that you want secure in a safe (I mean a real safe not something they can easily cut in an hour or two).

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

TVs and stereos can be replaced with insurance but there are always some things that you want secure in a safe (I mean a real safe not something they can easily cut in an hour or two

Where do you find a safe that is rated to withstand more than two hours working on it? I know you can get some with TRTL-60 or whatever, but I don't know of any ratings greater than an hour. Hey a1abdj, are there many safes out there that would take you more than an hour or two to get into?

 

[Mr White]

+1 for Dogs!

2 big ones that don't take too kindly to unwelcomed visitors. They might not be invincible but they'll buy me enough time to get to and open the safe. After that, anyone still sticking around will hafta deal with MR Twelvegauge or his live-in companion, Ms Ninemmcarbine.

 

[kellyj00]

i was watching fox news last night and they had two detectives talking about how to prevent a home invasion. they said "first off, always use your garage to enter/exit your vehicle if you've got one...and only when the garage door is closed." "next, get a dog. Dogs can sense evil and will let out a very distinctive bark when something bad happens." In the nicole brown simpson case, her dog was still barking ferociously at the front door when the police arrived long after the incident occured, IIRC.

I had a neighbor get broken in to by his daughter's friends once, their dog had seen the kids before but new something wasn't right. The female 10 year old german sheperd wouldn't be quiet. I looked next door and saw a bunch of kids entering the house at 4 pm. I didn't think anything of it since they were regulars.... they robbed her dad for some black powder rifles and a 10 key calculator and trashed the place. Police later caught them. I felt bad for cussing at the dog when it happened.

Also, take your wife and kids shooting! give them a chance to defend themselves and they may just enjoy the sport. Get them out shooting clays with 20 gauges if you have to, just get them used to guns so you're not the only one who can use anything out of the safe if you hear a window break.

Set up a plan of action. Get a 'safe place' designated, such as a trusted neighbors house in case there's a fire or their is a home invasion and you can get your kids out a window or something. The neighbor will know that something horrible happened if your 4 year old shows up on the porch out of breath and unable to compose a sentence if they know that they are the safe house before they show up.

Be sure you teach your kids how to get out through the windows (using a ladder if on floor 2) useful escape that too few facilitate when necessary.

Remember, drywall will not stop any home defense round of ammunition. If you know you've been invaded and you are sure it is an invasion, start shooting through drywall. The element of surprise will save your life. Also, remember that you're a good guy, they aren't. If you're human you will hesitate before taking a life, it's part of what makes us good guys. Bad guys will not hesitate, they want you out of the way first thing or they would not have invaded a home that was occupied.

A home invasion occured a few years ago in Wichita, KS where the Carr brothers invaded a party of 6 young adults in a nice part of town. They were out looking for a victim that evening before they brutally raped and murdered 5 people, and shot a victim in the head with a .380 who later ran naked in the cold across a busy highway to help.

This is my opinion, and I've spoken to my wife about it, I will not be a sheep if there is a home invasion. whatever their weapon, I will no cooperate, and during a hostage situation I will not drop my weapon. This is my personal plan of action, and I go through it in my head all the time and I see this as the best option. There's some things in life that are worse than death....and seeing thug kill your wife and children would definitely be one of them, I don't want to live to regret not doing something...no matter how futile.

 

[kellyj00]

I'd say that it's a good idea to prevent it from happening by making yourself the toughest possible target. A lot of robberies are done by acquaintances who know exactly how lax your security is and how many assets you've got.
Keep your public view limited, and keep your business private.

My in-laws live on 10 acres in the middle of nowhere and are a prime target for an invasion because her father runs a small business open to the public. You know when he's at work he's not at home. He also has one cricket .22lr, that's it. he's not so into defense I guess. I'm working on him though, he'll cave in and buy a good ole 12 gauge before too long.

 

[budney]

Regarding the laminated sheets - What stops the entire sheet of glass from breaking loose all around the edges of the frame?

If I understand it correctly, additional framing is added around the inside edge of the window to prevent this. Even without this step, however, it takes a fair bit of work to get the whole pane out: you have to work your way around the entire perimeter with your hammer.

--Len.

 

[Engel]

If I ever got that paranoid about living somewhere then I would not want to live there anymore.

 

[Navy87Guy]

If I ever got that paranoid about living somewhere then I would not want to live there anymore.

That's part of why that article about the home invasion in CT is so striking...because it's not the place where you would expect it. I'm not paranoid - but I do believe in being prepared. I live a mile from the sherrif's office -- and 1 1/2 miles from I-95. Anything and everything is possible...including a jail break or escaped prisoner.

I appreciate all the responses and suggestions...there are some good ones.

Jim

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

Regarding the laminated sheets - What stops the entire sheet of glass from breaking loose all around the edges of the frame? Do they somehow attach the laminated sheet to the frame itself. I know with car windshields the entire sheet of glass will come loose in one piece after three or four hits.

Auto windshields are held to the outside of the car with adhesive. Pretty easy to kick out from inside the car but not the other way around. I think home windows are sandwiched between two pieces of frame and the film is cut to go to the edges, so you'd have to work all the way around the edges to get it to come out in one piece.
It's not impenetrable but should make enough noise and buy plenty of time to get Mr.Blasty compared to a window that'll just shatter apart with one rap from a blunt object. Works good in wind storms too. My parents had a small tree branch go through their kitchen bay window this spring in a windstorm.

 

[realityscope]

Dont forget, on your entry doors to put 3 inch or longer screws through the hinge plates, get upgraded strike plates and a long throw deadbolt, these will keep most anyone from being able to kick down the door...

 

[SSN Vet]

The threads about the home invasion and murders in CT really got me thinking about my own home security.

Me three Jim......been thinking a lot.

thanks guys for the 3M link.....we have a side door with lights (aka window) and it has concerns me.

I was just browsing the Northern Tool catalog tonight and looking once again at the solar charging, battery operated security gates. We have a LONG drive (off a quiet side street) and are very secluded in the woods. These gates operate with a garage door style remote and have an intercom that alows guests to page you for a remote open. You can also get a motion sensor that chimes a tone at the house and turns on a light at the gate. Maybe a setup like this way down by the street would be the trick.

 

[TallPine]

If I ever got that paranoid about living somewhere then I would not want to live there anymore.

We're all pretty much stuck here until space travel gets developed a whole lot further

 

[Gaucho Gringo]

All my exterior doors have double dead bolt locks placed 15" from the top and 24" from the bottom. Makes the doors a lot stronger than just one deadbolt in the middle of the door.

 

[Navy87Guy]

Well if the news about CT wasn't enough, I just read about a home invasion in my old neighborhood - about a mile from where we live now. Two guys, middle of the night. They broke in, threatened the residents, then just left. The sherrif's office is very interested - home invasions are pretty rare around here.

So tonight I mounted the HOMAK quick access box that I bought and put my wife's Ruger P93 in it. I picked the box up from Amazon.com for about $30. It's not the best, but it's secure and access is quick. I mounted it in the hall closet on the first floor (where my wife wanted it). It will allow us quick access to the gun if necessary, but keeps it out of the reach of the little ones.

Now I need to get to work on that door and windows! Thanks for all the tips!

Jim

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

double dead bolts are great! i did an install with 2 moreone through hinge side and one the goes up through top door frame and i thought i was paranoid

 

[StuckInMA]

My first piece of advice would be to keep your security system armed at all times. If it's not setup in a way that you can turn motion detectors, single doors or complete zones on and off I'd look into it. Home invasions occur during the day as well so keeping it on at all times is a good idea for total protection.

Most folks have already mentioned how to strengthen your standard doors so no need to go there. I would look into changing the slider out for a solid French Door setup if possible. It's not a brick wall but it's not as inviting as a slider. Run of the mill sliders can be pushed off the tracks with enough force so a bar that keeps someone from sliding it open isn't your best defense.

Instead of worrying about opening a door to talk to someone you don't know look for a nearby window they can hear you from (especially at night) if you don't have a two way in place. That way you don't have to open the door to talk to them and you'll more than likely throw them off if their intentions are bad. They can't hurt what they can't see.

I'd also look at arming yourself 24/7 if possible. That's a personal choice though.

A firearm, flashlight (at night) and cell phone are within arms reach at all times for both myself and the spouse. We are both well versed in the handling and firing of the firearms as well.

Once you have your entry ways secured to your liking make sure you have at least one plan in place if something does go wrong. Our plans lay out exactly who will be where to reduce the chance of shooting a loved one. Where and when depends solely on the conditions. Since interior walls don't stop bullets part of that plan is also for them to lay flat on the floor until the house is cleared to help if lead does fly. We also have verbal commands to make sure no one is accidentally shot once/if the house is cleared. Spouse knows that if someone enters the "safe room" without a peep she needs to be in a position to fire when she turns the flashlight on. I don't mean safety off and finger on the trigger. Just in position.

I'd say we've never had to put this plan into action but our dang cat set off the motion detectors that are "cat friendly" twice so we had two unannounced drills in the dead of the night. When everything was over and done with it felt good to know we could put the plan into action under pressure.

If you're really worried or want to add an additional layer of protection between your spouse/kids and the bad guys a sturdy interior door on your "safe room" can help to beef up their safety.

Lastly, even though my driveway is relatively short I have a driveway alarm in place.

I enjoy where I live and don't feel paranoid or unsafe, but a good plan to defend my home and loved ones just seems natural. To me it's just like having a plan in place in case of a fire. Every room has a smoke detector, there's always a fire extinguisher within arms reach and we all know where we're headed if the time comes. Fire is my greatest fear so I've gone overboard on that one.

 

[Cannonball888]

 

[StuckInMA]

kellyj00

I'd say that it's a good idea to prevent it from happening by making yourself the toughest possible target. A lot of robberies are done by acquaintances who know exactly how lax your security is and how many assets you've got.
Keep your public view limited, and keep your business private.

Great point. I'd add anyone doing any kind of work/renovations to your home to the list as well. Especially if you're a new homeowner and don't have any kind of relationship with them. Nicely painted trucks, embroidered shirts and letterhead doesn't mean they won't kick in your door at 1am or mention what's in the house to someone who will.

Not a knock on contractors but safety should be a priority.

 

[ckyllo]

If you ever have your windows open on your house. Get some wooden pegs that can be drilled and glued in above the top of the sliding portion of the window. a few inches up so the window can only be opened enough for ventalition. But do not do this for any window that is considered the egress window in the event of a fire. Also make sure that the window locks are not the type that a simple putty knife can be slid in and unlocked.