I’m a heavy sleeper, and I’ve had alarms blaring right in my ear before, but I still slept through them.
What can I buy that will make sure I wake up before the intruder(s) make it to my bedroom?
Commenting to come back, I also worry about sleeping through something. A dog would be a good start. They’re a lot more active than most alarm systems.
Magdlina said:
Commenting to come back, I also worry about sleeping through something. A dog would be a good start. They’re a lot more active than most alarm systems.
What breed do you recommend?
@Amanda
German shepherds have some loud, scary barks.
EvansBrown14 said:
@Amanda
German shepherds have some loud, scary barks.
The growl of a German Shepherd in the dark is more frightening than the clack-clack of a shotgun.
@Amanda
Almost any dog will bark and alert you. German Shepherds have a great bark and can be great defenders, but they can also be challenging to own. I have a bully mix who almost never barks and sleeps through most things. He only grumbles if someone is being weird in the hallway. But he’s no guard dog. My sister’s little dogs would probably be better protection. So the best dog is one you actually want and fits your lifestyle needs. I’m in an apartment and use a door stop alarm on my door. You push it against the closed door, and if it’s opened, an alarm goes off loud enough to wake the whole building. They sell them in packs on Amazon, I gave the woman across from me the second one.
@Amanda
I have a Great Dane mix, a very good boy, but when he gives off ‘fuck around and find out’ vibes, no one wants to argue with him. He has treed a black bear and can catch most cars when he gets worked up. He’s the size of a small horse and can eat a soccer ball in one sitting. Most fences and doors are only a suggestion.
I think hearing-impaired people have pillow/bed shakers, so maybe something like that?
Neal said:
I think hearing-impaired people have pillow/bed shakers, so maybe something like that?
We used lights in my house growing up. The doorbell was a certain bulb, smoke alarms flashed lights, and now for security, I have a smart sensor that turns on every light in the house.
My wife and I are super deep sleepers, even with dogs. The only solution that worked for us was upgrading our bedroom door to the specs of an outside door. If people are attempting to kick my bedroom door in, I’m going to wake up. With a deadbolt and crossbar, you’ve got ample time to get a shotgun and vest on, should the door come down.
Put in any panel you want and add a Potter SSX-52; only someone who is actually deaf could sleep through that.
Ring has a security system. The monthly fee is cheap compared to other systems, but the hardware is a bit more costly (though often on major sale). The alarm base is portable and extremely loud. You could leave it in your bedroom if you wanted to.
@Brown
They also have panic buttons that, with the proper plan, will immediately call law enforcement when pressed.
If you’re willing to take on the long-term commitment, I’m a woman and I sleep very soundly when I’m home alone because of my dog. She raises hell if someone touches any of our doors or hears something on the patio. You’ll also get to know their different types of barks. Like, a raccoon on the patio has a very different bark from a human intruder bark.
Obviously, a dog is a lot more work and more expensive than a gun or alarm system, but you get unconditional love.
Dog. Rescue mutt.
Amelia said:
Dog. Rescue mutt.
I don’t know why the downvotes, but a dog works as an alarm and for protection. Read any true crime, and the people attacked in their home, regardless of race or gender, all shared in common no dog.
@Natalie
Yep, and it doesn’t even need to be a Doberman or some big scary dog. Almost all dogs will alert you, except mine who sleeps through almost everything and never barks. His system settings are off, lol.
Amelia said:
Dog. Rescue mutt.
Can confirm. My two shelter dogs bark at all things, real and imaginary.
Amelia said:
Dog. Rescue mutt.
Why a rescue specifically?
Amelia said:
Dog. Rescue mutt.
Why a rescue specifically?
Look up ‘puppy mill’ and go to a rescue shelter just to meet a few pups without commitment and see what it’s like. Trust me, you’ll get why.