Upstairs or Downstairs for defense?

[Cosmoline]

I'm with Downstairs

I'd rather defend Hudson and the maids than the upper-class twits upstairs.

 

[Andrew Rothman]

You also said "Someone breaking into your house probably wants your VCR, not your kids. And they'd prefer that you sleep through the experience. " I respect your opinion but disagree strongly and hope that you aren't planning your defensive plan around this assumption.

I respect your personal experience, but I stand by the assertion that the vast, vast majority of those who would break into a house at night are looking for a quick, non-confrontational score.

I am not discouraging your preparations for the "exception" attack -- just wanted to make sure you had the "rule" issues dealt with first. Clearly you have.

Still, unless you have a personal psycho stalker, moderate hardening of your defenses makes the neighbor's house look like a much better target.

I'd think about window bars for the ground floor. Combined with solid, reinforced and deadbolted doors, no one is getting in before you have been adequately notified.

Best of luck!

Matt