[Stoat]

My hope is that others will add tips that they've found to be effective.

For those of us who are Blessed to live in the USA, I would add that it's a good idea to avoid imbibing in the "Christmas Cheer" to the point of being less than fully competent in handling the wider range of home defense options available to us here.

 

[rabscuttle385]

I would add...be careful when someone knocks on your door. A potential thief could pretend to be a neighbor who got locked out of his (or her) house or someone whose car just "died" and needs to use the phone.

All the protection in the world (except maybe a rifle) is worthless if you stupidly open the door and invite the robber right on in.

[Lexinom]

I am pissed. Their Christmas present to us (received Friday) was $136 in overdraft fees against an account that never went negative. They have no intention of removing the fees. They have done this on many occasions, costing us thousands.

Our Christmas present to them is a nice letter complete with screenshots of their balance reporting tools (with total absence of negative balance) CC'ed to the FDIC.

A burgler does not want to break in here. I would love a legal reason to blow someone's head off right now, unChristmaslike as that seems.

Merry Christmas.

[metmom]

ping

[HiTech RedNeck]

Have a "Designated shooter"?

[Fester Chugabrew]

Never buy cut price goods you suspect have been stolen.

Several days ago some goofy knucklehead in a Santa hat knocked on our door offering T-bone steaks at a deep discount. Introduced himself as the door to door food salesman we've always known. Never saw the guy in my life.

[Horatio Gates]

Sounds like some good advice especially your suggestion. The only few things I'd add are make sure exterior lighting is functional and in operation. If you must have lots of foliage around the house try to have something that will rip a potential burglar to shreds. You can also have hedges trimmed up from underneath. Works just as well as trimming down. If you have an alarm system...use it. Not least but last, get practice time at the range just in case

[xusafflyer]

One of the best shows on Discovery is "To Catch a Thief". The two former burglars show first hand how easy it is too rob people in 10-15 mins.

[A knight without armor]

Please. "Mark's Tips" are just common sense. Is there anybody here that has learned anything new on that list?

[VOA]

I got to admit I'm a junkie for the show on Discovery Channel that
airs at 6PM Eastern M-F that shows the former thieves doing a number
on a house/business.
Their attempt on a suburban police department was interesting.

I've got to admit I do think more about home security (and act on it)
after watching that show a bit.