Lock, Lock! Who’s There?!…or …Who’s Messing with my Lock?!

[TallPine]

They have these thingies called "slide bolts"

Get some big ones and mount them with super long, super strong fasteners.

Doesn't help when you are not home since they have to be locked from the inside, but your family is the most important. Everything else is just stuff.

Our house has two vertical square bolts mounted to the bottom of the door that go down into a socket in the floor. The former owner had them installed. Which of course makes a lot of sense combined with the two sliding glass patio doors and the picture windows...

She also had a Medeco deadbolt in the back door. We only got two keys for it from her, and nobody can make extras because they are angle ground.


I'm guessing your "perp" was somebody who had a key to one of your changed-out locks. Or else a confused drunk

 

[trueblue1776]

Get a redphone so you can call in airstrikes.

 

[kbarrett]

+1 on Tallpine, and +10 on 911.

Get a simple heavy slide bolt if you are worried about a lockpicker.

And next time call 911. You pay taxes, so get something for your money.

 

[foghornl]

Some folks here are not fans of the X-10, stuff, but it works for me.

I have the X-10 cameras & motion detectors. When someone comes up my driveway, an X-10 "Door chime" sounds in the MBR, and vcr stashed in the basement [between floor joists] goes into record mode. Video also is available on the tv in Master Bed Room.

Had a problem several years back with neighborhood "Punky Boy" stealing mail out of several mailboxes. Nothing really important was taken {bank & CC statements, bills, etc not bothered}, but those 'value-pak' coupon packs and advertising books (Gold Clipper, Saver-book) were being taken for pizza/snack/other entertainment coupons. Mom-N-Pop didn't believe several folks eye-ball accounts, so I repointed my X-10 cams & detectors.

Went to visit 'Mom-N-Pop', and said "Perhaps you should review a copy of this, BEFORE I give other copies to the Postal Inspector and Police."

End of problem.

 

[eltorrente]

I would have called 911 immediately.

I would have looked out the peep-hole or a window also. As long as he is fiddling with the lock, I would assume he can't also be holding a weapon with armor piercing rounds ready for the shadow across the peep hole to shoot.

 

[peacemaker45]

Which of course makes a lot of sense combined with the two sliding glass patio doors and the picture windows...

That reminds me, is there any good way to secure sliding glass doors? Or even ground floor windows in general?

~~~Mat

 

[Geno]

Yes, two ways: first place a 1" dowel rod into the raceway. It must fit tightly to keep it closed tightly. Next, there are metal clips that screw on to the frame, and these keep the door from being lifted out of the track or opened. These lock-down with screws like those which hold on a scopes base to a receiver. They work well.

However, you still have the weakness of the glass itself. There is a lamination that can be applied, but even that is limited. Regardless of security measures if some moron has: 1) desire, 2) opportunity, 3) tools and 4) time, they can get into ANYTHING! If they have to, they'll just cut a whole in the walls...seriously.

For my part, I never keep my heavy-duty tools (elec. saws, drills, grinders, axe, mall, etc) in the garage...I keep mine on the very bottom shelf of one of my gun vaults. It is worth your time to call or go in person to a shop that sells locks. Ask them how to get the best security for the money.

 

[TallPine]

Electronic gadgets are okay I guess, but I prefer simpler solutions. Like they have this thing that allows you to see right through a wall - it's called a "window"

I'd like to have house with a second story window right above the front door - that way you can not only safely see who is there, but you could also pour boiling hydrogenated coconut oil down on them.

In fact, what I would really like is a house where the ground floor is all reinforced concrete with no windows or doors (except maybe a really heavy metal door that could only be opened from the inside). There would be a walk-up stairs to a deck about 3-4' wide to access the "front door" so that it would be impossible to use a battering ram on it (especially with the boiling oil falling on your head ).

 

[Lucas21]

Doc,

There is one company in particular that excells in camera systems (and much more) as well as a low price point. They are called SuperCircuits and can be found at www.supercircuits.com. I have bought and used a lot of their equipment and have never been disappointed. Even their $20 cameras have amazing performance! Get some IR LED's and a few cameras and you will be set.


Lucas

 

[Kevin108]

Can deadbolts be tapped?

Absolutely.

With practice, most common lock sets like KiwkSet and Schlage can be opened in seconds with a simple rake and tensioner.

Any half-charged cordless drill with the proper sized bits can drill out a cylinder and allow access in less than a minute.

With time keys can be made from a lock with a blank, the proper files and marking compound.

A lock won't keep someone out. It can only slow them down.

 

[helpless]

I would have had the wife call 911, cover your butt and might even catch the SOB while trying to break in your house or one of your neighbors.

I am a new homeowner and I can not say that I would have handled it much different beside maybe calling 911 first thing.

Glad to hear that everything was fine and no one was hurt.

 

[Noxx]

Some folks here are not fans of the X-10, stuff, but it works for me.

I don't have anything to add, but the electrician in me is obligated to make a certain face when someone says "X-10". We'll just consider it made and move on to the next post.

 

[RevolverMan567]

Nicely Done

As can be seen by my post coutn I am very new to THR compared to others. First of all very nicely done. All iCan really say about that...you did very well and I'm sure you and yours feel very comfortable with security after that run through. Also on another note I i have said I am new and Have learned to carefully watch some very "key" players on the high road. Doc...you are definately one. I have learned a whole lot about how to react and prepare and I just want to say thank you because i feel that your experiences ( as well as many others) has and will some day have a profound effect on my well being. Thank you to all that offer these kinds of scenarios to the general public like us. Keep up the good work!

 

[Bruce333]

Great response by you and your family. Thanks for posting, I've learned some from the posted responses and your actions.

I recently installed one of these wide angle door viewers in our front door. With the porch light on, or in daylight, I can see who is on the porch from across the room. I never have liked the peep holes where you have to go right up to the door to see out.

 

[Geno]

Thank-you all! This thread has really grown into a nice bit of knowledge for others to plan. I have always believed in learning from successes and failures. I just always hope to have a higher number of success.