I’ve been really looking into home security and trying to think outside the box to improve my home’s safety. I know there’s tons of info out there like YouTube videos, blogs, forums, and even podcasts.
I’m curious: What’s the best resource you’ve found that made you say, ‘Wow, I never thought of that!’? Maybe it was a small tip, something new you never considered, or a creative idea that made a big difference.
If you’ve got any recommendations for resources that go beyond the usual advice, I’d love to hear them!
That’s 95% of what actually works. You might not want a dog or gun, but locking your house up properly and having good lighting, especially motion lights, will stop a lot of people. If someone really wants in, they’ll get in, which is where the gun comes in.
@Hannah
Just a reminder that not all of us live in gun-friendly places. I get the value of having a gun for security, but in some countries, it’s just not worth the hassle. I could get one, but it’s a lot of paperwork and not the easiest option.
@esleystanley
I get that. But honestly, a gun can provide more safety than not having one, especially in certain situations. I’m not trying to convince anyone, just sharing what’s worked for me. If you can’t or don’t want a gun, there are alternatives like pepper spray or a stun gun.
Someone here posted about thinking of security as layers, and it really made me rethink my setup. It’s about having multiple levels of protection so that if one thing fails, another kicks in. This idea of layered safety works for so many different situations, not just at home.
I’ve talked about this before. Multi-tiered security can mean different things depending on what you’re focusing on. For example, my house has a gate by the sidewalk. To get through that, someone has to bypass it or break in. There are also two motion sensors—one far away and one closer to the house. If I hear both alarms, I know someone is getting close. My side gate has another inner gate, which makes it harder for someone to get through. Plus, the windows are at least 5 feet off the ground, making it tough to climb in. I also added security film to the windows, so even if someone breaks them, they can’t get in easily. The goal is to buy me time to respond, call for help, or be aware of what’s happening.
Don’t use WiFi cameras. Thieves are getting smarter with tools that can block WiFi cameras. This has happened to a lot of people. They got broken into and couldn’t get footage because the cameras weren’t working. If you’re going to use cameras, run cables to them. They need power anyway, so use something like a Cat 6 cable and hardwire everything. I’ve had zero issues with my hardwired system.
I started listening to a podcast by a retired Navy SEAL commander named Jocko Willink. He specializes in leadership and business skills. What I really liked about him is how he humbly talks about his experiences. He always says if the military can train him to be effective, it can work for anyone. That mindset changed the way I approach a lot of things in life.
Their cameras use image recognition to spot unusual activity and then alert a person who can watch the footage and talk to the intruder through the camera. It’s pretty amazing. Check out their YouTube for more.
@Nova
Things to consider: - High annual contract cost + $1200 early termination fee - Doesn’t integrate with Alexa or Google - Only cameras for monitoring, no sensors, so you have to place cameras everywhere - They store your video and audio data and may contact authorities without your permission, even for things that might seem innocent - The system isn’t transferable, so if you move, you’ll face legal issues for breaking the contract - Major upgrades are not included in your contract, so you’ll have to pay for them separately if you want them.