home security options for 1 story house

[spederman]

We have a 1 story house and have a baby on the way. We have the avg home security system that came with our house (All doors/window have contacts). But me being the paranoid parent-to-be, i want something more. I wouldnt be as worried if we had a 2 story house and the baby room was upstairs, but being a 1 story house and an intruder having direct access to the baby room makes me uncomfortable. I'm just afraid of a break in into our babies room and since its a ways away from our bedroom, i might not hear anything in time to do something. What more can you do in a 1 story house to make it safer?

[SleeperGTS]

Dogs FTW!

Even little ones will alert you to an intruders presence. Then I'd shoot with your 12 gauge, next grind them to a chunky puree'.... :rolleyes:

Got carried away

[Craizie]

Thorny bushes outside the windows.

[Jarrod]

Thorny bushes outside the windows.
x2

If an individual is set on an intrusion, just by their nature they will seek out the easiest way to do so. If you have a significant obstacle at one of several windows then odds are that window will not be the chosen point of entry. Having said that, it is my opinion that parents that go overboard on the new baby decorating with pink blinds/curtains/etc. making it obvious it is a kids' room, are making quite a mistake. It lets the intruder know that room does not have the scattergun waiting once he finishes climbing in.

[futant]

don't you have a baby monitor?
crank it up. keep a gun loaded and handy.
be ready to act. problem solved.

[bronco71]

baby monitor so you can hear baby's room in your room, should get that anyway if it is that far... motion lights outside and a mentioned before dogs and thorny bushes.

[spederman]

Yeah, we have a baby monitor (video/sound), got a dog, and the loaded guns! I guess i could plant an obstacle in front of all the vulnerable windows and i have flood lights that i leave on all nite anyways.

[sonic93]

If I can make a suggestion or a few?

Change the flood lights to a motion light. The change in lighting will alert anyone trying to break in. Just a lit house may not deter anyone.

Dogs are good as an early detection device. Besides pop up flares on trip lines are frowned on in the city I am sure.

Barriers and obstacles are the best. They will always take the easiest route in. Thick thorny bushes work great. Windows should always have those $.99 screw locks to prevent the window from going up the channel. Same with sliding doors.

Even a solar screen becomes another obstacle.

Make sure you have a Brinks or like sign out front. (even if you don't use them)

Having a good shotgun and knowing how to use it are another thing. Once your outer perimeter has been breached, know your own reaction time. The best thing that you can have on a home defense gun is going to be a strong/powerful forearm mounted light (check the batteries periodically). The sudden burst of light at the end of a muzzle will stun and disorientate the intruder giving you time to debate the shoot-don't shoot question that is going to be going thru your head.

Like they said above let another house on the block become the target. Along those lines never dispose of packages by the curb that may indicate new toys in the house (tv, stereos, tools etc). Don't put the big "it's a Girl" newborn type signs out front or balloons on the mailbox.

[blkscorpion80]

Along those lines never dispose of packages by the curb that may indicate new toys in the house (tv, stereos, tools etc). .


I see this all the time in my neighborhood.