What have you done in your home to give you a tactical advantage?

[Mudinyeri]

The recent "Cleared My House" thread got me to thinking. What have others done in their homes to provide themselves with a tactical advantage in the event of a home invasion?

I'll kick things off. My home is a single story home with a finished basement.

1. My front door is actually a double door with heavy glass in both doors. My front porch and two side windows all have flood lights on over them. These remain on at night so the main entry is well illuminated back-lighting anyone who decides they want to come in the front door.

2. There are two rear entries into my house - one roughly opposite the entry I just described and one into my master bedroom. My back yard is completely fenced with a 6' privacy fence. The back yard is also illuminated. Anyone coming through either of the rear doors will also be back-lit.

I'm basically creating a fatal funnel with backlighting for anyone who enters the main area of my house (basically one large open area). There is little cover or concealment.

The only thing I don't like about the layout of our home is that our son's bedroom (we only have one child) is on the opposite end of the house from our master bedroom (across the large open area). I'm thinking about moving him to the basement.

3. My master bedroom is kept very dark with heavy curtains. This gives me two advantages - I'm not back-lit and my night vision will be much better than anyone coming in through the main area.

This keeps me from having to clear my house giving me a much stronger tactical position.

4. I have prickly shrubs planted in front of the windows that could easily be reached from the ground.

5. My house sits higher than my neighbors' and had an open front yard and relatively long, steep driveway. Approaching my house from the front leaves one VERY exposed.

6. We have an emergency exit plan (for invasion or fire) that we review and test every month.

7. We have bug-out bags in our bedrooms.

8. I have a pistol and a shotgun safely stored but ready in my bedroom. I can access either of them in less than 10 seconds. Both are loaded.

9. We have fire extinguishers in each of the bedrooms (not really home-invasion-related but a good idea, nonetheless).

Other things I'm thinking about:

1. Beware of the Dog signs at each of the gates to my back yard with pictures/symbols of a "vicious" breed on them.

2. Grates for front doors and french doors to the rear entrances.

3. Grates for the egress windows in my basement. (Especially if my son moves his bedroom down there.)

What have you done/planned?

 

[wbwanzer]

Basically I've got a handgun upstairs next to my bed and two handguns downstairs in the main living quarters. One in the front part of the house and one in the back where the family room is. If I see helicopters flying low with searchlights on, I carry on my person then. Or if anything causes me to think that something unusual is going on outside, I carry.

I also have two fairly large dogs that bark at just about everything. When the dogs are gone I'll need to rethink my security situation. Of course by then I'll probably be living elsewhere.

 

[bikerdoc]

Out side lighting
Motion detectors
flashlights in every room
Pinned windows
Dog


+ one to recognizing choke points

 

[gun guy]

1. big dog
2. multiple members of the family are good shooters
3 ready service handguns
4 ready service tactical carbines
5 ready service shotguns
6 Rapid access to assualt rifles
7 access to sniper quality weapons
8 neighbors on both sides are active shooters. The cowgirl does that barrel racing/shooting stuff, semi pro, that girl is scarey. Young, pretty, single, rich, loves her momma, goes to church, has more 45's than an army base, and a huge great dane.
9 limited access neighborhood

 

[Claymore1500]

Not tactical but effective, at least in my experience. (several of my neighbors have been robbed, homes broken into, over the years) my home has never been molested in any way.

How do I do it? 1) lawn is mostly weeds and bare spots.

2) 19 year old, rusted out dodge pickup in the drive way, also a 1960's vintage boat that "some day" I will get around to restoring.

3) My front door is almost never opened,(we pretty much live in the basement)

4) The neighbors that don't know me personally are afraid of me (picture Grizzly Adams on a motorcycle) 6'4" 240lbs.

NOTE: the neighbors that Do know me all say that if any thing really bad goes down in the neighbor hood, they want to be at my house.

If some one does take a chance at my house, there is NOTHING up stairs worth dying for, if they decide to come down stairs, I have a block wall between them and me, they will be met half way down the steps by as many 9mm projectiles as I can fire, end result, dead badguy at the bottom of my stairs.

 

[leadcounsel]

If I told you it would not be a tactical advantage!

But, training. Lots of training. Professional military and shooting training. Did I mention lots....

Safes... cameras, etc. Always someone here.

 

[Rail Driver]

Well, there's the obvious, my S&W .40 that sleeps on the nightstand next to my head (pointing away from me of course ).

The rear entrance (2 story townhouse, no upstairs entrance or window access) is blocked by a nearly immovable entertainment center, and the front entrance is a steel door in a reinforced jamb. I still need better windows, but that will have to wait. At least the ones I have lock.

The most important tactical advantage I've added to my home is my 1yr old son's toys strewn randomly about the livingroom... I simply don't pick them up. (He absolutely LOVES hot wheels... Hard to pick out on the carpet at night, even with a flashlight!) I also make certain that when I go to bed it's good and dark in the house. My flashlight (lives right next to my gun, be it on my hip or on the night stand) is a little iNova x2 ... blindingly bright, especially to night-sighted eyes.

If they get in and past the livingroom before I'm up and waiting in front of my bedroom door, they'll catch me in a bad spot, but I'm working on that aspect of my "home invasion" plan.

 

[Glamdring]

Important to remember that Medical/health problem is more likely than goblins. Make sure house number is easy to see, more than one location very good idea. Plus if anything does happen you want medical help ASAP.

Also have a trauma kit. 1st aid kits are for little owies that don't really matter. You need at minimum something for controlling severe bleeding. It can be fancy like IBD (Israeli Battle Dressing) or simple like a maxi pad and tape.

After that weather or fire probably biggest real threat. So fire and CO detectors. Weather alert radio, post 9/11 they are all hazards so if train car leaks chlorine gas in your neighborhood and you need to bug out NOW you will have several minute advantage.

And INSURANCE! Insurance is kinda like do over for things you can lose. One thing that kills LOTS of people in a fire or similar emergency is they try to get this or that to take with them or worry about shutting computer off or whatever. When you need to move fast. Knowing that insurance will cover things will help fight that natural hesitation. also see http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/blogs/klessons/

Besides strong doors & windows with locks that are used. Light is your friend. Small lights aimed at exterior of your house will make anyone trying to break in show up as big shadow.

Also leaving one or two lights on all the time inside along with a radio gives impression your up even if your not.

 

[Armored farmer]

No loaded guns because of young kids (and their friends)

3 dogs running loose (bird dogs)
motion lights in back
2 handguns near back door
870 w/#4 buck in ammo sleeve behind 1 lock in bedroom (primary HD gun 20" bbl no plug)
.357 in safe next to bed w/ 2 speedloaders of WW silvertips
flashlite in nitestand.
enough tools, toys, atv's etc in the shed they surely won't be stupid enough to want what's in the house too...lol
seriously...we are lucky to not have much crime out here, but my shed is soooo vulnerable. I really think the dogs are a MAJOR deterrant. They aren't mean...just barkers. Brittany, Lab, and a 1/2 Britany-1/2 Lab (yep...you guessed it).

 

[A and O]

Although we had to put him down last year at 18yrs old our Doberman was the best security we ever had. Twice I found pieces of bloody shirts on our back fence. Can't even begin to guess how many he really got. When leaving the house setting the alarm meant to release the Doby. That was the most loyal/protective and loving dog I've ever had and would highly recommend the breed to you folks as an addition to the other great ideas you have expressed here.

 

[sidheshooter]

Exactly what bikerdoc and leadcounsel said. Minus the military, I'd add; I've not had the distinction.

 

[RuAk]

.45 loaded with HSTs next to my head. 12ga loaded with buckshots next to my bed. No kids in the house.

.40 in the living room

.45 in the other room

Loud barking and intimidating pitbull. Im sure she will be vicious if there is chaos in the house other than that she's a very good dog and plays with the neighborhood kids.

One thing i hate is there is an alley behind my home. But there is pokey barb wire all across the top fence/wall

Whats scares me is that there was a deadly home invasion about 1 mile from my house 2 nights ago. The police beleive it was a random target.

I am part of the neighborhood watch though.

 

[uspJ]

I'm in the process of moving in my house now. I have 2 second what Glamdring said about a medical/fire emergency being the most likely scenario I have to deal with so I don't want my house heavily fortified in case LEO/EMS need access and time is a factor. I have made sure to reinforce my doors and put up motion detected floodlights on all corners of my house and in front of the garage and entrances. I will be keeping my 870 and USPc .40 and AK in my bedroom. My Glock 26 lives on my hip so I feel I have the firepower covered. My home is a split level with the living area upstairs so no matter how someone enters they have to come pass the hallway that leads to the bedrooms.

My only invasion concerns are that I live shouting distance from a close/max sec. prison. I can stand on my back porch and hear the boiler room rumbling. I feel comfortable that my improvements should keep me safe, if not I will put a good fight.

 

[DeepSouth]

Got a Dachshund.

The simplicity of a a Basset Hound in the yard and a Dachshund in the house. If I'm home it's impossible to "get the drop" on me. Their not scary, but their loud.

 

[leadcounsel]

Is it really a good idea to announce your security measures to the public?

 

[Mudinyeri]

Is it really a good idea to announce your security measures to the public?

Do you think someone who lists a long list of security measures on the internet is more likely to be attacked than the guy next door with his garage door open all night?

If I'm a crook and I read about a guy who has set up his house to take advantage of a natural fatal funnel I'm probably going to avoid that house.

 

[ultradoc]

motion dector lights,at least one loaded gun in every room,steel front and rear doors,glass block windows in basement,dead bolt locks on front and rear doors,small [not overgrown] shrubs in front of house,security signage [brinks]in front and rear of house.

 

[earplug]

One has to open two doors, front or rear sunrooms, inclosed basement walkout to access the main living area.
Inside motion light to access stairs. Wife likes that for hauling laundry.
Dog to trip over. Kid toys, Bunch of old loaded revolvers scattered about. Shotgun I need to practice with.

 

[ForumSurfer]

I'm thinking about moving him to the basement.

You may want to get an environmental test kit, first. You never know what kind of (undetectable) molds and mildew are living in a basement. Prolonged exposure can cause health risks. It happened to a friend of mine. It wasn’t quite a basement, but 3 of four walls were buried into the hillside. The place was immaculate, but he developed worse and worse allergy problems. One day he bought a commercial environmental test kit and discovered an obscure and virtually undetectable mold living in one of the walls. No visual indicators and no smell. His wife was very compulsive about cleaning, so the place was immaculately well kept.

Coming from a father of a child with allergy problems that has had severe allergic reactions as a young child, I’d say test the basement. Spending time there as a family vs your child living and sleeping there (and storing linens, clothes and toys) are two entirely different things. I’m not telling you your business, just volunteering some advice.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // I'd add that my firearms and ammo are stored/locked up separately.

Should I have a break in, I'd like to make sure no one can use my firearms against me without bringing their own ammo or finding/getting to mine.

Until I get home only my carry gun is loaded and unlocked. I'm not much for leaving loaded firearms hidden around... except on my body.
YMMV.

 

[Sgt_R]

Doors stay locked, random interior lights stay on, and shades stay drawn during hours of darkness whether we're home or not.

We work different shifts, so someone is nearly always home, and we tend to come and go at odd hours. Very unpredictable for someone 'casing the joint.'

If I'm up and dressed, I'm carrying house keys, car keys, flashlight, cel phone, pepper spray, credit cards, photo ID, at least one knife, and possibly a handgun somewhere on my person. I don't need a Bug Out Bag, I have pockets.

My girlfriend has all that stuff too... somewhere. Usually in a purse, or in a coat pocket, or on the desk... you get the idea. The only thing she keeps real close track of is the pistol, but she's a pretty good shot.

Fire extinguishers (charged), smoke detectors (good batteries), basic first aid supplies in the house, firearms available, and the training to use them all effectively. Emergency ladders in the upstairs bedrooms in case of fire. Probably some other things I'm not thinking of at the moment.

Weather alerts delivered directly to our cel phones. Yes I realize that this only works as long as the cel network is up, but by the time it goes down, we should have a pretty good idea of what's happening.

Combo box in the nightstand containing a loaded handgun with rail mounted light/laser, spare mag, and spare handheld flashlight. All other firearms and ammo, unless actually being carried, are locked up elsewhere.

Clear lines of fire from the most likely defensive positions in the house. Primary choke point: top of the stairs. Secondary: bedroom door. After that: hand to hand in the trenches, but I'll do my best not to let anyone get that far.

Plans for the most likely scenarios for our area (i.e. fire, tornado, and burglary, not zombies).

The actual 'house' is a condo, and it's not particularly secure, but we've done our best with what we have. And we'll probably be moving soon anyway.

R

 

[Kleanbore]

Posted by leadcounsel: Is it really a good idea to announce your security measures to the public?

Good question.

First, there's the question of internet security. Should someone get the list and happen to want something in particular that you have in the house, there's that risk.

Perhaps the greater issue is the addition of things to look for to the perps' lists.

 

[Mudinyeri]

Good question.

First, there's the question of internet security. Should someone get the list and happen to want something in particular that you have in the house, there's that risk.

Perhaps the greater issue is the addition of things to look for to the perps' lists.

There are already plenty of "how to protect your home" articles on the Internet for the educated and inquiring criminal to read. I seriously doubt that any of us will post anything here that will open a gaping hole in suburban security akin to the Ghostbusters portal.

Although, in the event that web-browsing criminals have found our fair forum, perhaps all tactical discussions should be deleted so as to avoid discovery of our deepest tactical secrets.

 

[Kleanbore]

Posted by Mudinyeri: There are already plenty of "how to protect your home" articles on the Internet for the educated and inquiring criminal to read. I seriously doubt that any of us will post anything here ...

That's a good thing--and I think that was at least part of leadcounsel's point. I have seen methods about which I have never read, and about which I had never thought. Not a good thing to disclose them to anyone. Some crook may figure them out anyway, but why give him the instructions? You won't find me doing it.

People who work for security firms also know things they have been instructed to keep confidential. The idea is to not do anything to unnecessarily make a breach more likely.

Although, in the event that web-browsing criminals have found our fair forum, perhaps all tactical discussions should be deleted so as to avoid discovery of our deepest tactical secrets.

Well, there are obvious secrets--the schematics for your alarm system, your arming codes, your lock combinations and passwords, and so forth; there are things you just don't want to advertise--where your gun may be kept, how your children get home from school, Facebook information saying that you are will be out for the weekend, your home location in the car's navigation system, etc.; and then there are discussions that one would have no reason keep silent about.

My point, and I think leadcounsel's point, is to distinguish what falls into what category and to treat everything appropriately.

If you do happen to have some "deepest tactical secrets", would you discuss them openly on the internet? In a bookstore?

On the other hand, does the idea of having a potential burglar read a discussion of the pros and cons of laser grips, or a discussion about overpenetration, bother you?

By the way, I don't see anything in Post #1 that I think would be unwise to disclose, but a policeman or a security expert may have some advice on that.

 

[Kleanbore]

Just thinking...taken together, Posts 1, 3, 8, and 21 sound to me like pretty good preparation, or a start at same.

A lot will be floor-plan-specific.

One thing I'll expand upon. Sgt_R speaks about "lines of fire from the most likely defensive positions in the house."

That's a good point. A lot of people seem to visualize someone coming in while they are in the bedroom. Most people keep their weapons there.

Fact is, one or more persons could come in from any possible point of ingress while you are in any part of the house, perhaps blocking you from the bedroom and perhaps separating you from family members.

Just something to think about.

I have two floors plus a basement, and four ways someone could enter the first floor, including the door from the basement. We spend lot of time on the first floor. Depending upon which entrance is breached and each of us is at the time, the scenarios vary widely. When that dawned on me, it changed my strategy.