Home Security

[DrPrepper1]

I found this list of things to do around your property. I have done all of them. Can anyone think of anything else to do that is not on the list?

https://www.safewise.com/blog/10-simple-ways-to-secure-your-new-home/

 

[user 6493]

I don't need to look at the list,,,I have 5 dogs that roam my yard day and night,,.,the criminals are looking for easy targets,,,,,,,I dare say my home is not an easy target

 

[Proud Prepper]

There is security film for your windows that works really well, its something Im putting on all the rest of my windows. I only had it on the front windows.

 

[DrPrepper1]

There is security film for your windows that works really well, its something Im putting on all the rest of my windows. I only had it on the front windows.

I have seen that. Would you be able to break a window in the event of a fire?

 

[Proud Prepper]

I have seen that. Would you be able to break a window in the event of a fire?

You just open the window. Im sure firemen can break it.

 

[Kevin L]

Drones.

Get RC drones with cameras to fly around your property and give you intel.

 

[Brent S]

A fence and dogs are my first recommendation. It can be costly up front, but worth it. An inside dog that will bark and alert you of someone is good too. One thing I did, but should only be done when there are no children around, is hide guns in multiple places around the home. Most people have a weapon in the bedroom, but I like quick access as peace of mind. I hid some in places that a regular burglar wouldn’t fine easily, but are readily accessible by me.

 

[Dani]

Those security screens work very well. I have seen demonstration of an axe used on them. Didn't break. Hunny installs them on a regular basis but they are expensive. We fenced the entire property, have three dogs that are both inside and out which will alert if someone comes (our meter reader won't read our meter unless she gets an escort or the dogs are in) and if that fails, we do have lead around here. A few years ago our neighbors vehicles were all broken into at night. None of ours were. I assume because theirs were easy access since they have no fencing and no dogs.

 

[brandx]

Doors--check
Windows-check
Security system-fake one with cameras and signs for now
Guns-check
Dog-check
No one can see my house well from the road, so what is the point of trimming down any bushes? I live in the country and it would take 20-30 minutes for police to arrive and burglaries take place in less than 10 minutes.not sure what good a security system would do, an alarm, maybe to sound off, might scare them away.
Have motion detector light.
I can only do so much where I live, a neighborhood watch won't work where I am, we can't see each other and I had put one together at a point but there was not enough interest to keep it going, no one would show up to discuss it. Everyone where I live just likes to keep to themselves which suits me fine. I could use some fencing and more dogs, but heck, I don't have the money, I can barely pay the bills.

 

[Gazrok]

The plan is a good one.

I still remember the first time we executed "the plan" not too long after my kids had moved in (grown kids). My daughter said it sounded like someone was in the dog yard, by the fence.

Immediately, my wife and I armed up (me with a pistol in a waist holster and shotgun, my wife and our ranch hand gal each with a pistol). The gals went a bit further and each strapped a large knife to their legs. We told the kids to get in the utility room (it's a completely interior room, and hard to find in the dark house).

My daughter's like, "Holy crap, my family is frickin' Rambo...." LOL

One thing that isn't on the list, but not easy to always do. Because we board horses, there are often people on the property during the day, so there's really no guessable time when there is nobody there. Makes it pretty hard for a prowler to schedule a break-in.

Another one. Keep really valuable items in a SAFE. (and make sure the safe isn't in an obvious place). Any good jewelry, important documents, amounts of cash, etc. In the safe. Firearms, in a double locked location. (and soon, to be behind a secret door!)

We have fences, gates, and dogs. (and false security system signs). I just can't see the value in the monthly fee, especially since it would likely take too long for the police to respond in that area. (but I do have a properly nosy neighbor we are on good terms with, hehe.)

I would like to add some security film to the windows though.

Before the fall, we'll be adding some security cameras to the property. Oddly enough, not initially for security, but really more to be a way to settle squabbles among the boarders. (when one says they aren't the ones doing this or that, etc.) - I mean, we're all adults, just do what you are supposed to folks...but, eh... At least security will be a second bonus for it.

 

[Gazrok]

Have motion detector light.

Yep. We rural folks just LOVE our motion detector lights. I have them around all of the other buildings (garage, the two stables, etc.) of the property.

I added more after our recent predator trouble, just in case.

The house lights, we just leave on at night, so the whole exterior of the house is lit up. You try to get in anywhere, and you're an easy silhouette to make out. Except the backyard, motion detectors there instead.

Eventually, switching those all out for solar motion detector lights. (or at least supplementing with them)

 

[brandx]

I had a motion detector light in the back but it was constantly going on and off due to vegetation blowing around. It burned the sensor up in no time. so that was an expensive lesson. I could hang cans on wire, that would do as much good as anything considering the surroundings. My luck the wildlife would make a mess of it.

 

[user 7704]

Yep. We rural folks just LOVE our motion detector lights. I have them around all of the other buildings (garage, the two stables, etc.) of the property.

I added more after our recent predator trouble, just in case.

The house lights, we just leave on at night, so the whole exterior of the house is lit up. You try to get in anywhere, and you're an easy silhouette to make out. Except the backyard, motion detectors there instead.

Eventually, switching those all out for solar motion detector lights. (or at least supplementing with them)

I had solar motion detector and the squirrels chewed the wires.

 

[Gazrok]

I had solar motion detector and the squirrels chewed the wires.

Ack, that sucks. There's stuff you can get to cover 'em though. That's a good point though. I had barn rats once, chew into one of my water lines out there. Pain in the butt to fix that.

 

[Brent S]

I had a motion detector light in the back but it was constantly going on and off due to vegetation blowing around. It burned the sensor up in no time. so that was an expensive lesson. I could hang cans on wire, that would do as much good as anything considering the surroundings. My luck the wildlife would make a mess of it.

Most security lights have a sensitivity setting you can decrease to help with false activations. I remember when they first came on the market about thirty years ago. They were expensive but you can find them for as little as 20 dollars now.

 

[Brent S]

I had solar motion detector and the squirrels chewed the wires.

Squirrels taste like chicken!

 

[user 7704]

Squirrels taste like chicken!

My cousins would fry the heads and suck out the brains. Not me. I have eaten squirrels though. Not bad.

 

[Gazrok]

Mine (motion sensor lights) aren't even tripped by the barn cats outside. But come on fine if a person (or horse) gets near.

 

[Kevin L]

My cousins would fry the heads and suck out the brains. Not me. I have eaten squirrels though. Not bad.

Yuck.

Seriously, though, your cousin should change his culinary habits.

Eating mammalian brain tissue can lead to certian nasty, protracted, fatal neurological diseases from prions.

An example is Crutzfeld-Yakov disease.

Also, cannibals in Papua New Guinea died from a disease called kuru, which comes from eating human brain tissue.

These diseases all produce spongiform encephalopathy, which means that the brain gradually wastes away as it becomes clogged with a kind of plaque and filled with microscopic holes.

Tell your cousin to stop eating brain tissue right now.

 

[Kevin L]

One thing I forgot to mention in the post about eating brain tissue:

Prions are not destroyed by cooking.

Sugical instruments can be autoclaved with standards that make them surgically sterile, yet the prions will survive on the instruments and can infect someone from cross contamination in the operating room.

Bleach won't even destroy them, although strong hydrochloric acid probably would with prolonged exposure.

 

[Brent S]

One thing I forgot to mention in the post about eating brain tissue:

Prions are not destroyed by cooking.

Sugical instruments can be autoclaved with standards that make them surgically sterile, yet the prions will survive on the instruments and can infect someone from cross contamination in the operating room.

Bleach won't even destroy them, although strong hydrochloric acid probably would with prolonged exposure.

No problem there, I’m not eating anything’s brains, mammalian or otherwise....

 

[Kevin L]

No problem there, I’m not eating anything’s brains, mammalian or otherwise....

I would hope not.

There is even strong evidence that plants can take prions into their systems when they absorb water and nutrients from the ground, and that people can get prion disease from eating these food plants.

Scarey thought.

 

[Brent S]

I would hope not.

There is even strong evidence that plants can take prions into their systems when they absorb water and nutrients from the ground, and that people can get prion disease from eating these food plants.

Scarey thought.

That’s the whole reason I like to grow my own foods. In reality though, even then you’re not 100% certain of being healthy. The land I am on was part of a huge apple grove 80 to 100 years ago. God knows what kind of pesticides were used here and could still be on the ground. Oh well, something is going to kill you sooner or later, but not eating brains is an easy thing to avoid for me.

 

[Kevin L]

I agree with you.

There's a difference between sensible eating habits and being paranoid of eating anything because the world wants to kill you.

I also have a theory about prion diseases that I can't find an answer for.

Do prions accumulate in graveyards and, perhaps, leach into groundwater?

If prions survive autoclaving and bleach, do they survive embalming fluid?

I know that I wouldn't want my dream home anywhere near a cemetary for that reason...especially because I want well water.

 

[user 7704]

Yuck.

Seriously, though, your cousin should change his culinary habits.

Eating mammalian brain tissue can lead to certian nasty, protracted, fatal neurological diseases from prions.

An example is Crutzfeld-Yakov disease.

Also, cannibals in Papua New Guinea died from a disease called kuru, which comes from eating human brain tissue.

These diseases all produce spongiform encephalopathy, which means that the brain gradually wastes away as it becomes clogged with a kind of plaque and filled with microscopic holes.

Tell your cousin to stop eating brain tissue right now.

That was when they were young. They didn't get mad cow disease. They are all well except for a couple that were killed in accidents.

 

[Kevin L]

That was when they were young. They didn't get mad cow disease. They are all well except for a couple that were killed in accidents.

I'm sorry about your family members that died in car accidents.

It's good that they didn't get mad cow, and that they're fine and healthy.

Still, though...sucking out brains?

Yuck.

 

[Brent S]

I agree with you.

There's a difference between sensible eating habits and being paranoid of eating anything because the world wants to kill you.

I also have a theory about prion diseases that I can't find an answer for.

Do prions accumulate in graveyards and, perhaps, leach into groundwater?

If prions survive autoclaving and bleach, do they survive embalming fluid?

I know that I wouldn't want my dream home anywhere near a cemetary for that reason...especially because I want well water.

I’ve always thought that living anywhere near a cemetery would have contaminated groundwater. Just from the embalming fluids. I doubt the prion could survive much longer after the body decomposed though.

 

[DrHenley]

I’ve always thought that living anywhere near a cemetery would have contaminated groundwater. Just from the embalming fluids. I doubt the prion could survive much longer after the body decomposed though.

The thing that makes prions so insidious is that they are extremely stable molecules and are very difficult to destroy. In the case of Cronic Wasting Disease, they believe that when an infected deer dies and decomposes, the prions are absorbed into the ground, then are taken up by grass. Then other deer eat the grass and become infected.

 

[Brent S]

The thing that makes prions so insidious is that they are extremely stable molecules and are very difficult to destroy. In the case of Cronic Wasting Disease, they believe that when an infected deer dies and decomposes, the prions are absorbed into the ground, then are taken up by grass. Then other deer eat the grass and become infected.

Yikes!

 

[Kevin L]

The thing that makes prions so insidious is that they are extremely stable molecules and are very difficult to destroy. In the case of Cronic Wasting Disease, they believe that when an infected deer dies and decomposes, the prions are absorbed into the ground, then are taken up by grass. Then other deer eat the grass and become infected.

Didn't know that, but it makes sense.

Does this mean that any cemetary is a kind of Love Canal for infectious prions?