I have dogs. I know not for everyone, but they can get ugly enough to make some one think twice and go for an easier target.

I think I'll skip right from the fire extinguisher to the gun.;). I don't want them to keep coming if they get in.

Big dog. I let him patrol the house at night after a neighbor was hacked to death via machete. Big dog helped me sleep soundly. I just want the bad people to move on and steal from someone else.

A blast in the face with the fire extinguisher (then whack them with the other end) at the front door is totally effective. If you don't like their expression; blast them with it. If you use a gun you go to jail.

John,

Replace the glass on the door. Is it a single light door? If it is, then talk to your local glass company and order a laminated 3/8" replacement glass panel. This way it will still allow the light to come through, but strong like a windshield and it would shatter. It slows them down a bit, so they might just go away. it can be order clear or obscure. I have them on all my glass exterior doors.

If someone breaks into my house I intend to stop them by any means necessary, and the law is on my side. No need to politely ask them to leave, I don't live in CA.;)

We are still allowed to protect ourselves, family and property in Florida as well. Don't think I would want to shoot an armed someone on meth or crack in the face with a fire extinguisher.

I have an alarm system and 2 Dropcams that text me when there is movement, I can see the drop cams live (3-4 second delay) on my phone. 7 days of recording saved online for each Dropcam.

Some friends of mine up the road recorded this;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JEIT1GLlhg

Suspect has crack problem, fresh out of jail, picked the wrong house. Homeowner was giving police live reports of what was happening at her house from her desk at work.

Ouch. Usually I recommend a dog, but if you are out walking it, you'd need 2 and leave one home! :)

What did the neighbor lose? A few ipads and a wallet? Sense of privacy (for sure).

Some of the suggestions for strengthening home security and installing alarm systems above look like a lot of $$$ and hassle. And then you have to remember setting the darn thing every day, several times, reminding yourself of the possibility of being ripped off every time. What toll does that take on your well-being?

IMHO life is too short for that. I move to neighborhoods that are considered safe in terms of crime rates. I have dogs. Yes, I may lose some cash and a few computers if someone swipes through my house while I am out with the dogs, but it hasn't happened in decades, so I think the risk is very low. I also don't own a ton of great stuff, I am afraid. And I do have insurance if someone would take the time to clean me out (i.e. take all my tools and the 993) while I am away for longer periods.

That's just my two cents (hidden in my mattress)

G

Looks like the guy never entered the house? Or did he make it into the bedroom where the door was closed off for the dogs?

Note: Better have your dog sleep on your bed while you aren't watching than closing off the bedroom while you aren't home. ;)

G

I also would like to add a couple cameras and a DVR...
Still looking for something simple, inexpensive, and plug and play...

I have poked around on Amazon but the systems there are not very well described.

Also worth noting, don't post about your vacation on Facebook until you are home. This is local:

DA: Burglars used social media, newspaper announcements to target Sedgwick County homes | Wichita Eagle

I just got a complete alarm system of Craigslist for $100. Had to pull some wires, but my house and garage are secure and the alarm is very loud.

It's not what they do or take while you are not there. It's what they could do to you if you are there. Have run my own security company for over 20 years. I have insurance for when I'm not at home. I have an alarm for when I am.
To the OP. Get a couple of motion sensors inside and then get every external window and door fitted with a combination reed switch, acoustic and seismic sensor. You can arm the house perimeter while sleeping.

https://www.thetechnoworxstore.com.au/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1373_1374_1 378&products_id=620

Threads like this make me realize how lucky I am to live where I do.

http://d3d71ba2asa5oz.cloudfront.net...ages/blue1.jpg

https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/..._1747762_n.jpg

Sadly in my years of doing this I have seen a number of dogs clubbed to death just so the a-holes could steal a phone and dvd player or whatever. I always leave my dog inside the house when we go out and arm the perimeter so at least she's afforded protection from a-holes as well.

Looks like the camera choices are:

1. Standalone system with a DVR. About $400 for a 4 camera wired system, about $600 for a 4 camera wireless system. DVR connects to your home internet so you get alerts, can watch, or change settings over smartphone. DVR presumably should be placed somewhere not likely to be found by the burglar.

2. Dropcams uploading video to cloud via home wireless network. $200/camera and $5-10/mo per camera to store past 1 week of video. Also need weatherproof enclosure if using outside. So for 4 cameras, $800 up front and $25/no at least.

Dropcams sound way cool, but I think I'm going to try to make the standalone systems work.

Wait . . . unless . . . maybe I only need one Dropcam, inside the house, at a place that the burglar(s) will go to as they burgle. Plus dummy cameras on the outside of the house, for deterrence.

And don't forget a UPS. We have seen where crooks have turned off the mains power to shut the cameras down. A UPS will still keep them running for up to 4hrs.

Crime has no address. Sad but true.

I can't believe no one has posted this yet. Cracks me up!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1399811099.jpg