Safe Luxury

Home security... what can i do myself/?

To start out let me say, i'm very technically inclined. I just moved into a new house in a nice neighborhood. Well i thought it was a good one till all the neighbors came over to tell me that my direct neighbor likes to and makes it a habit to break into everyone's home. No one had caught him but everyone knows its him (how im not sure). We are all freaked out about it now, I feel like walking up to him and beating the crap out of him even tho he has not done anything illegal. He has taken our peace of mind. We don't feel safe leaving the house alone. He is not a home invasion type from what it sounds, its all been when everyone was at work. I need someone to help me with some kind of DIY home security. All of my windows and doors have decent locks. Windows have 3 locks each for example. I would like to avoid running a ton of wires tho. Anyone ever do a DIY security system? or have any insight on that i should do?

Public Comments

1. Can buy the signs and dummy cams like you had a good system installed or they sell cordless systems that work off a transmitter and come with 2-3 cams that can be hooked up to a recording device for under $200. Punch in radio shack and look for one that suits you or buy a pitbull or hire the home alone kid. Just kidding!
2. Sounds like a job for a video camera with a 12 hour video tape. Then if anyone comes to the house you will have them on video. Two ways to do it. Either have a video recording all the time, or have a video camera set up with a motion detector. Might cost you a bit, but will give you peace of mind and proof if anything happens. Of course best to have the camera hidden.
3. Look into a wireless system - no running of wires - perfect DIY. Don't alarm each window - alarm the room with a motion detector. They make them with different angles of coverage. For example, you can put them high on a wall and have a "safe" path to walk under the detector - but the windows are still covered.
4. I am also interested in doing this, albeit for only slightly different reasons. I live in a 30 year old house and don't want to start to have to cut into the walls to run wires all over the place. I've looked into a simple camera system that can basically be run outside to a DVR in a lock box inside. You are looking at about 600 to 1200 for that. Pretty expensive for me. They have a new product out now that the wire can be adhered on the wall itself and a thin skim-coat of joint compound over it hides it completely. Even still, you have to re-paint the area.
5. Start simple.. Keeps shrubs trimmed back and low.. No shrubs under windows if poss. ( no hiding places).. Well lit areas that won t bother the neighbors, os put in motion censored lights ( easy and fairly cheap) Front porch ( and any door)motion detectors are great also when you come home and have arm s full of groceries. Motion detectors on the outside of garage is great , just make sure there aimed rt so every passing car won t set them off and the lights are aimed down as not to bother neighbors..A timer on in door lamps that is changed every so often so others think your home . Have set for different times..and use a couple of them.A dog inside to simply bark when someones at the door can scare off intruders.. I hope some of these help you to start.. GL
6. Home security is a problem but in this case, you seem to have the basics covered. I would plant thorn bushes under each window, roses, blackberries, etc. Inside a motion sensor wired to an exterior noise maker, preferably 2 so if one is disabled, it alarms the system. Inside I would use motion detectors that protect the entry points, PIR or US are 2 types. Do some research on this since my experience is a few years old. There are many small alarm companies that may sell some basic wireless systems that will do the job. Motion sensors do not work if you have pets that move around and can trip the system. You might find a alarm company that will do the whole project without a monitoring contract. The big companies all will want a service contract. Good luck.
7. There's a pretty sweet motion detector on ebay for about $25 that sounds a alarm. You can arm & disarm with key chain remote. All you need a ac outlet for the power. (or it can run off batteries). I'm thinking about getting one myself.