what can be done to prevent home invasion? I am willing to take very serious measures?

Question

like the home alone movies.

I have good reason to believe my home will be invaded in the next three years and that it will be done in a well thought out and strategic manner.

I live two blocks from a large police station.

Answer 1

Install motion detector lights outside your home. Make sure to change the bulbs when they burn out.

Keep bushes/hedges cut short - so they do not provide a hiding space.

If you chose to plant bushes in front of the windows - put in the sticky holly bushes -If you have every had to trim these suckers -they hurt and will draw blood.

Or even plant some poison ivy. Bad guy will think twice if he has to crawl through a poison ivy garden to get into the window -- of course you probably will not want to weed that flower bed either!

Keep doors and windows locked at night.

Keep doors and windows locked during the day when you are home. Tiffany Sours (a Clemson student) was attacked in SC in her apartment during the day - she was home during the day and the front door was not locked - Inman just opened the door and walked in. (The story was on CNN - they called him the bikini strangler)

Keep a lock on your crawl space door. (The round disc lock you put on a storage unit works well). Before Inman came to SC and attacked/killed Tiffany Sours - he attacked a woman in Alabama. He gained access to her home by entering her crawl space and cutting the duct work and coming in through the register. I have also heard of people getting into your crawl space and stealing your copper pipes - this will prevent/reduce this as well.

Get to know your neighbors. You get to know each other and each others habits - you will notice when something is off at the neighbors place and hopefully they will notice when something is not right at yours.

Install a monitored security system. Security systems work off the phone system. You do not have to display the sign that says you have the system. It's OK to have it and not display the sign. If you think the person that will invade your home is someone you know - have the system installed - don't tell the person - and don't display the sign.

Get a dog - it does not have to be a Rottie or Doberman - even a little dog will bark. Dogs will bark when they hear something outside - this can give a bad guy second thoughts about breaking in - the dog will be able to serve as a warning. But that means when the dog barks - you can't fuss at him every time b/c that will teach him not to bark. When mine bark at night - I get up - let them out and let them investigate and then we go back to bed. Also - dog on a chain in the back of the yard - not going to do you much good.

If you have a sliding glass door in your home - put a stick in the track - this will prevent the door from being opened. The locks on these doors are flimsy.

Install dead bolts on the exterior doors.

You can also buy the bars that they have on hotel room doors at the Home Depot of Lowes. These are better than the chains. These will also prevent the door from being opened from the outside.

In most areas - you can call your local police. Often they will have someone come out and offer tips on things you can do to help prevent your home from being a target. If they can't do it - the security company you get to give you a quote may be willing to offer advice as well.

Take a self defense class. JuJitsu is a good one. You can be a very small person and take on a large person. If the bad guy gets in - can't hurt to know how to defend yourself.

Answer 2

I would make sure that my home is defensible. First of all, secure your property with a combination of burglar bars on windows and security doors with dead locks. Your burglar bars will have to meet fire code because all domiciles need to have viable exits in case of fire.

Metal clad exterior doors are now made with attractive designs. Be sure to install a peep-hole so you can see who is at the door. Make sure the doors are installed with 3 inch screws sunk into the frame and jamb. Also use an exterior security screen with locks as well. The object here is to make it harder and noisier to kick in the doors to your house. A locksmith can key your locks so one key handles all the locks if you get the same brand of lock. I prefer Schlage locks.

If you have a garage, make sure the door between the garage and house is a security door, and not an interior grade door as well.

For outdoors, make sure that you do not have hedges that are too tall to block the view from the sidewalk or street. Keep your yard clean and unobstructed.

Install a motion detector that lights at night. You can adjust the sensitivity so that it doesn't light up when a cat or dog wanders by, but will light up when something larger comes into range. You can set them up so they trigger an interior light that comes on as well.

If you can afford a home alarm system and monitoring, go for it. Many have a Panic Button option. Also If you have the money, install an intercom connected to a security camera, so when someone rings the doorbell, you can get a picture/video tape of them as well as talk to them without having to open the door.

Never open the door to strangers. If they say they need help, say fine, I'll call a taxi, your parents or the police for you and keep the door shut. Let them wait outside.

Never, ever brag about your personal wealth or possessions in front of strangers or dishonest relatives irrespective of where you happen to be. Never indicate you keep highly valuable items at home. In fact - they should be in safe deposit boxes if they're that valuable.

Not all states have so-called "make my day" laws, so you need to be careful in deciding whether to keep a gun. If you do choose to keep a gun I would be sure to1.) have all legal permits and permits to carry. 2.) have an attorney 3.) have discussed and documented with said attorney your understanding of your city and state's laws about personal and property defense.

Lastly, do NOT even consider setting booby traps. While they can appeal to our sense of righteousness, humor or whatever, they usually backfire on the people who set them.

Answer 3

It depends on what state you live in. In most states, you cannot intentionally harm trespassers. Don't set booby traps with shotguns that would blow someone's legs off. Things like that.
Make sure your doors and windows are always locked and secured with heavy duty hardware.

Answer 4

prevent? Nothing. You can, however, make sure that they never leave after they worked so hard to get in. I recomend a remmington 870 or Mossberg shotgun. try to get high capacity. Load with slugs and buckshot. Turn out the lights and sit in your living room and wait.....

Answer 5

Legally you can get a crossbow in England I would suggest that if you are put in danger otherwise you can try a baseball bat or a sock with a cricket ball in it.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

Tell me your EXACT address and I will be sure your prophecy is fulfilled! Otherwise, TAKE A CHILL PILL!