"To make it harder for them" - Security ideas.

B.A._Baracus

Randomly thought of what my Dad used to say - in regards to security - that nothing is full proof but you just make it 'harder for them' (theives and criminals to steal things) Good advice the older I get.

You know things like:

• Putting a sterring wheel lock in your car. Not the hardest thing to break. But added security /added time to break off.
• Don't leave your keys inside the front door lock (inside home) a small metal wire and a lot of patience can prove it to be a mistake.
• Don't leave an unlocked ladder in your backgarden. Not only can it be easily stolen, but if your backgarden faces a road they can use that to get back over the wall easily (and take the ladder too!)
• Even other things that might not be classed as stealing as such but just general headaches. Like having a tv satellite, but rather than feeding the cable in from an upstairs room or attic, you feed from the outside sitting room wall. Just takes an arsehole to snip the cable.

What's everyones tips or little tricks?

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly

Don't tell your wife 'I told you so' when her unlocked bicycle is stolen from the back garden.

elperello

Electric gates or if the budget won't go that far just lock them at night with a padlock.

Ubbquittious

If you have an empty shed make sure it is well locked. Burglars will think there's valuable tools in there and waste their time trying to open it

Purple Mountain

Watch Home Alone 😄

Padre_Pio

My dad says that your house just needs to look harder to rob than your neighbors.

My 2c. High gates and walls if you can have them, so no one can see into your back garden. I have no front gates (semi-d in an estate), just a side gate that has no latch on the outside. It only opens from the back garden.

Thorny plants like roses around the walls.

Security cameras are dirt cheap now, and you can set them up to notify your phone. I don't know why people are bothering with traditional siren alarms. I'm planning to put two up on the house and a video doorbell. You can buy a POE switch and run ethernet cable around the attic handy enough.

Strumms

Security cameras are indeed dirt cheap… family member got a full state of the art set up, Ultra HD, multiple cameras…. Viewable from smart TV, smart phone, tablet and dedicated flat screen monitors in the house and garage and also outside lighting all for about 5,600 euros… cheaper then the list price slightly as they know one of the managers…

The way the country is heading with most categories of crime trending upwards as per august ‘22 Garda numbers, it’s a savvy investment….

xxxxxxl

Fit convicted burglars with these. Geofenced to the house.

knucklehead6

Get a dog

or a laser shark

Strumms

A laser shark walking a dog would be good.

Gregor Samsa

My next door neighbour asked to leave a key with me in case their house alarm goes off while they’re out, so I just leave that taped to my front door beside a Post-It note with the alarm code and an arrow.

Graces7

Live on a small island with very few folk - frequently cut off...oh and of course ORANGE SIGNS warning re CCTV front and back in case any of the neighbours get nosy.... Barking dog alarm tape. As I DID have a large dog...

Kintarō Hattori

As mentioned, CCTV camera's are cheap and very functional these days. The other thing I'd suggest is a bright LED light with a sensor. I got one put in years ago and it's just great. Anything walks across the sensor's field of view and voila, the whole back garden is lit-up.

NIMAN

Lot mentioning cctv, but always read that a home alarm should be bought before cctv.

Isn't it better to have an alarm go off and maybe scare them off, rather than be robbed and try to identify hooded and masked robbers on cctv afterwards?

Padre_Pio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120118812#Comment_120118812

Yep, I have one at the front door and side gate. I put it in for me though, to stop me fumbling with my keys at night, or when I'm bringing the bins out. Each of them has a small solar panel for power.

Kintarō Hattori

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120118852#Comment_120118852

It's more so preventative in a lot of cases. A potential burglar eyes up your home and sees:

Lights, alarm, CCTV, video doorbell, a dog perhaps and so on

They may very well decide it's too much hassle and move on elsewhere.

Padre_Pio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120118852#Comment_120118852

Home alarms are expensive for what you get. I think the subscription ones are a waste of money. Why pay someone to monitor your house when you can simply automate it.

most modern CCTV will ping the phones of the house owners when there's movement so you can take action yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYAloLhpuJY

Bobblehats

We’re going to need a bigger moat

House was broken into while we were asleep . Two cars in driveway (so they knew we were in), alarm on wall, Obvious CCTV cameras and warning stickers on door

wore hi vis jackets which made them impossible to see using the night time infared vision on the camera, as it just reflected too much light, they knew the cameras were there and didn’t even try hiding their faces.

not sure much deters them to be honest.

They came through my front door quicker than I can find my keys.

what I learnt. Have a security light so that your camera doesn’t use the infared mode. Use a ring camera or similar that will send you alerts. Don’t just rely on an alarm, burglars don’t care about them, but if you have a security company, they will call for help if you need it and are very efficient as I’ve tested them out a few times by accident.

When locking your front door, always lock it. That may sound obvious. I had been incorrectly told that pushing the handle up locked the door, it doesn’t. So use a key or a locking nob.

luckily my inner door was proper locked and the noise to enter the alarm code woke me.

learnt a lot that night

Stone Deaf 4evr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120118649#Comment_120118649

It wasn't much deterrent to whoever stole your cats?

Cover the walls and floors of your home in your own shyte, nobody will want to break into a gaff that absolutely reeks of feces.

Padre_Pio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120119721#Comment_120119721

What does the security company do? Do they call the gardai?

I'm asking because I thought they were pretty useless for the money you pay.

They call you first, then they call the Gardai.

mid you just have an alarm, it will just off and annoy your neighbours AND be ignored by your neighbours

sioda

Good quality pick resistant locks are a must the amount of people who have high price alarms and cameras but buy the cheapest union or yale front door lock baffles me.

Simple slide bolts also worth it

Potential-Monke

No such thing as a pick resistant lock. They can all be picked. Check out the LockPickingLawyer on YT. There's even other YT's like Mark Rober and StuffMadeHere to test him. He hasn't failed yet.

But, yes, you need to make your house less desirable than others. A burglar will get in if he wants, especially the good ones. Just don't make your place look like you have more money than your neighbours. And don't be those house wanchors whose sun-level LED lights shine onto the road!

The paid for cameras, Ring/Canary/etc have a use but if you know someone or know IT yourself, it's easy to create you own system these days. Ring/Canary are for the those with little to no knowledge of the systems. Easy set up and easy to use App for the masses.

Leg End Reject

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120119721#Comment_120119721

How did they know your alarm code?

Must have been a terrifying experience, I hope you're all recovered and feel safe in your own home again.

Ljmscooter

This.

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120132368#Comment_120132368

Not a great idea.

They might take it from you and cut you into little pieces.

Strumms

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120118869#Comment_120118869

Exactly… you want whatever measures to be a deterrent so they are thinking..

1) “looks like too much hassle”

2) “looks like they are well geared up”

3) “good chance I’d be caught”

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120120379#Comment_120120379

Also if you have a glass side door and upgrading consider a different design- I know of a few houses that were entered by smashing the lower glass panel in a side door and then crawling through

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120119721#Comment_120119721

I left my keys inside and front door closed- good solid front door - modern design etc-called out locksmith- he had a wonderful little tool that took about a minute to put together- once assembled he had the door open in 3 seconds- he pushed the tool through the letter box and pulled down the inner handle opening the door- so YES- 100% agree- lock your front door from the inside when at home and take the keys out of the lock - as long as a burglar can gain access to interior door handle and door isn’t locked, then access is entirely possible

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120132368#Comment_120132368

Even if you have the confidence and ability to use it, you’d be surprised what side of the law you may find yourself on by the end of the night.

Ljmscooter

the machete was a joke,

as we all know the main threat to householders is other family members

cml387

The standard patio door can be lifted out. There is a lock

https://www.screwfix.ie/p/smith-locke-patio-door-lock-white/7056P?gclid=Cj0KCQiAlKmeBhCkARIsAHy7WVtMKSpYkiK1ELgfPb7lNXSYhEdj0crukRuoLn76O9oJ6Z_Xy6pXRVYaAg7WEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Which you can fit which will stop this.

o1s1n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120119721#Comment_120119721

Sorry to hear that happened to you.

That is a really good point about uPVC type doors that have all those locks that engage around the edge when you pull the handle up.

If you've a handle on the outside of the door, chances are that pulling it down disengages the locks - as you said, you need to actually lock the door from the inside with a key after engaging the locks so the handle cant be pulled down from outside.

A thief could just pull the handle down, disengage all the main locks (just leaving the one latch lock where the door handle is) - easily just kick the door open then.

Important thing to note though, if you are doing this - don't leave the key on the inside of the door when you're leaving! I accidentally did this recently and ended up locked out. Had to get a locksmith.

What I actually do now is at night, I engage the door locks from the inside by lifting the handle, lock the door with a key, leave the key in the doorlock (in case of fire & so it can't be easily picked) but I have the key on a chain that's connected to the wall.

So if there's a key in the door, you can't actually leave the house until you take it out of the door as there's a chain blocking your path.

Also means someone can't fish the key out of the lock through the letterbox.

whisky_galore

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120133587#Comment_120133587

They'll have to find the body first.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120132334#Comment_120132334

Hey, they didn’t know the alarm code. When my hall door is opened when the alarm is on, the alarm beeps and tells you to enter the code. This is what woke me.

hoodie6029

South African friend said to me once ‘Cops aren’t going to get your stuff back, it’s up to you to protect it.’ That comment has stuck with me.

I think that we are traditionally very trusting here in Ireland but I’m afraid those days are largely gone.

My tips.

Cover the windows of your shed or garage.

Carraige bolts on your shed door bolts to prevent them being unscrewed. Torx head screws on hinges. Thieves less likely to be carrying that type of screwdriver. Locks on cabinets and bikes etc in the shed.

Get a solid front door and a separate letter box if you can. No opportunity for fishing and less draughty as a bonus.

Old cars, get a steering crook lock. Disconnect the battery. Don’t leave valuable hub caps or other pieces that can taken off.

Donald Trump

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120134015#Comment_120134015

Old cars, get a steering crook lock. Disconnect the battery. Don’t leave valuable hub caps or other pieces that can taken off.

What I do is that every might I jack up all four wheels of the car and change the tyres around so that they are reversed.

That way, if someone breaks into the car and tries to put it into reverse to make a speedy getaway, they will drive forward and hit the wall of the house.

It's a bit of a hassle doing it every night, and then having to change them back the right way again every morning, but the car hasn't been stolen yet, so who's laughing now!

Strumms

The crook lock is a good idea…

you are not going to remove that without taking some serious time and making serious noise.

these are good if you have a manual..

hoodie6029

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120134082#Comment_120134082

😂😂😂😂

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120133602#Comment_120133602

Family members tend not to break into your home because they are already in it.

Machetes aren't that funny 🙂

blade1

Ask Padraig McNally to be your housemate.

NewbridgeIR

Lock your door and set your alarm at night helps

Graces7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120119729#Comment_120119729

That is sorted. Thank you for your kind concern. And that was before and why the CCTV signs went up of course.. and of course the cats were not in the house.. As you know of course!!!!!!!Peace now please!

It was interesting though. It took me a while to sort cameras out so at first the signs were just at the front..... and the intrusions at the back continued. They even wore a trail across the field..

When I got organised with cameras at the back and put the signs up it stopped.

Wibbs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120134124#Comment_120134124

Actually both of them are very easy to bypass. The steering wheel bar types actually help the scumbags, because they can use them as a lever to break the built in steering lock. Though of course they offer some visual deterrent to the average opportunistic scumbag.

castletownman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120133573#Comment_120133573

For years growing up, my father had 'designed' a z-shaped copper pipe that he used to shove through the letter box and wedge open the front door any time he forgot his keys (frosted glass on front door so could roughly guide the copper pipe). I found it ironic for a lad paranoid about making sure the place was locked and no window was left open when out, that he had a handy way of breaking in hiding in a bush.

BrianD3

I don't have much worth robbing apart from my savings and investments. Have several cars but most are bangers, even the newest one is 14 years old. The cars do have catalytic converters though. Also I have a nice Honda mower which would probably fetch 1000 quid on Done Steal.

I think having spare cars around the house might deter some scum as it looks like the house is occupied even when you are out.

IMO scum are looking for cash, jewellery, guns, home heating oil, power tools and catalytic converters. Hard to do much about some of that, an outside oil tank cannot be locked, they will just drill a hole in it. A cat can be removed quickly, if the car is securely locked in a garage then that will deter it but many people don't have a garage. Jewellery - each to their own but nobody needs to own it. Cash - might not be a bad idea to leave a bit of it lying about easily found to satisfy the scum,, might stop them pulling the house apart looking for something.

A dog may be a deterrent but I keep hearing about travellers robbing dogs so it may draw in burglars rather than deter them.

Manic Moran

Signs similar to this are not unheard of around here, though there are arguments for and against. Another common one is "We don't call 911"

Of course, we legitimately can shoot burglars in Texas, so it's questionable whether such a sign would have similar effect in Ireland...

Problem with dogs is that they are a major lifestyle change. Very effective if you happen to want a dog (and the work to keep them). Not for everyone. Besides, my wife is allergic to anything bigger than a Yorkie.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120175971#Comment_120175971

My main thing against using signs like that are the part where it could go from being a deterrent to a petty criminal to a heads up to someone who’s willing to use a weapon themselves in the face of resistance.

Basically you’re telling any would be burglar to arm themselves first whereas without it there’s potentially a higher chance of actually having the upper hand owning a firearm this way you’ve just warned them you have and will use one so they may go that route themselves.

I don’t know if it would actually make a blind bit of difference that way though. I don’t think these warning signs really do much to deter most people unless they’re particularly skittish about getting caught.

Strumms

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120141311#Comment_120141311

Better have something that requires time and effort to bypass, then nothing . Easy ? Not really, not if you have a good one, breaking the steering lock could render the steering unusable.