Posted on 01/20/2021 5:52:36 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
Sometimes the costs associated with home security can be daunting. When you buy a monitored home security system, you’re looking at a monthly monitoring fee, plus an installation fee, plus any equipment charges. Considering the financial commitment, buying a home security system may not be the right home security tactic for everyone.
Although a home security system is a great asset for those who can afford it, there are lots of ways you can fortify your home without breaking the bank. Here are some low cost home security tactics for making your home a safer place.
1. Neighbors
Your neighbors don’t have to be your best friends, but it’s a good idea to reach out to them, since your neighbors can be your first line of defense against burglars.
If you have a tight-knit neighborhood, it’s easier to spot strangers lurking around and to alert the other neighbors of suspicious activity. If a neighbor hears you calling for help or if they hear a suspicious noise coming from your house, they’re more likely to check on you if you have a rapport with them.
So, if you haven’t already, head on over to your neighbor’s with a plate of cookies and introduce yourself.
2. Outdoor Motion-Sensor Lights
Burglars prefer to work without being seen. Make it difficult for potential intruders to lurk around your home at night with motion sensor lights.
When someone approaches the perimeter of your home, bright lights will turn on. If anyone nears your doors or windows, the bright lights will come on, startling potential intruders and encouraging them to leave.
Aside from scaring away intruders, these motion sensor lights can also save you money on your electricity bill, since you don’t have to worry about leaving a porch or driveway light on all night.
3. Yard Signs and Window Stickers
A sign or window sticker warning that your home is armed by a security system may deter burglars, even if your home doesn’t really have a security system.
However, some signs and stickers look more believable than others, and if you have a fake company logo on your yard sign, it’s pretty easy nowadays for a determined thief to whip out their smartphone, Google the brand, and see if it’s a legitimate company or not.
4. A Trimmed Yard
Untamed bushes and shrubs can be an ideal hiding place for burglars. When burglars look for homes to target for a break-in, they look for tall trees and untrimmed greenery that can help conceal them while they break in through a door or window.
A simple and very cheap way that you can help deter burglars is to keep up on your yard work. When a burglar looks at your home and yard, you want them to see that there’s nowhere to hide.
5. A Real or Fake Dog
Intruders hate dealing with noisy dogs because they attract attention. However, there are risks associated with using a dog as a security measure, since burglars sometimes hurt dogs in order to keep them from barking.
An alternative is a fake barking dog. A fake barking dog includes a few different pieces of equipment. You place a sensor outside your home, and when it detects motion, a speaker inside your home plays dog barking noises.
Typically, noisy dogs are not a burglar’s friend, and it may make a burglar think twice about breaking into your home.
6. Timed Indoor Lights
You can set timed indoor lights to make it look like you’re home, even when you’re miles away.
Burglars prefer to break into homes when the occupants are nowhere to be seen. It’s less of a hassle.
If you have timed lights, you can set your lights to turn on or off at certain times of day or night. So, when you’re on vacation or getting home late at night, it will appear that someone is home, which can make potential intruders think twice.
7. FakeTV
The FakeTV Burglar Deterrent gives the impression that you’re home and watching TV in your dark or dimly lit home. It’s a small box that emits light to mimic the color and scene transitions of a television program. When someone sees the television-like glow from the outside of your home, it seems that someone is home watching TV.
Since burglars prefer to steer clear of homes when occupants are there, a FakeTV can possibly deter burglars from targeting your home.
All of the above suggestions are much cheaper than a home security system. If you’re financially strapped, these cost-efficient safety tactics should help deter intruders from your home. However, a home security system may provide the real peace of mind that other security measures can’t, so it may be a good idea to start saving your pennies and looking into getting one.
Good to know about the 3M window film!
“my wife saddled us with five cats.”
A man we knew in the ‘50s had a jewelry store. His guard “dogs” were Persian cats. I don’t know how he got them to the point where they would be effective, but I guess they were.
On a S-span book review show the guest was Nancy Grace. She’s a little over the top, but the book she wrote is, “Don’t Be A Victim”. Some of the tips she mentioned were excellent. I was going to order one, but forgot. This reminds me, so I guess I’ll do that.
That would be an interesting, if not amusing, sight to see. These five would rifle through your pockets looking for kitty treats.
I have Beware of Dog signs at three places on the property and house. It has worked great with first time visitors and delivery people.
BOOKMARK
Chow chows are awesome guard dogs.
They are not “scare the intruder off” dogs—they are guard dogs.
They will not bark, but they leap silently out of nowhere like cats—intruders will never see them coming.
One option is to have a loud dog if you want to scare off intruders, then a couple of chow chows for internal security if they don’t get the message the first time.
Chow chows are awesome guard dogs.
They are not “scare the intruder off” dogs—they are guard dogs.
They will not bark, but they leap silently out of nowhere like cats—intruders will never see them coming.
One option is to have a loud dog if you want to scare off intruders, then a couple of chow chows for internal security if they don’t get the message the first time.
“If your vehicle anti theft device is a large dog chained to the bumper, you might be a redneck” Foxworthy
If you buy security cameras, make sure it is 4K. Lesser cameras can’t pick up car license plates, and are useless at night for recording what is happening.
Later.
Quick story—years ago a lady cop stopped me for going through a brand new stop sign (new that day on the way back from the vet!).
As she talked to me the chow chow in the back seat started their soft lion’s roar that only chow chows can do. It is quite intimidating.
The cop seemed a little worried. She said “Is that dog dangerous.”
I answered: “Yup.”
;-)
A Classic!
Our sign says ‘Protected by Pulsar Thermal scopes - Because Bullets Don’t Care How Dark It Is’.
We use blink cameras that are motion sensing. Upfront purchase price and NO monthly fees. They work like a charm. All you need is a wireless network.
Thanks
Cheap and easy fix is to replace those short screws that typically come with the door hardware with at least 3” screws.
Better yet, replace it with a steel frame and steel door.
If you are normally away during the day, a handmade sign stating “Day sleeper, please do not disturb”.
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