Have any of you guys any recommendation for a domestic safe. It’s something I’ve had at the back of my mind an experience the other night quickly brought it to the front. Around midnight I was sat minding my own business in the room next to the kitchen and I heard the door open. I thought I was the wind but on entering the kitchen there’s a scroat stood on my door mat. I don’t know who was more surprised him or me. Anyway he legged it over the garden wall much faster than I could muster.
Domestic safe
- Thread starter Simon1963
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Hawk13
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All my doors self lock (other than french doors to outside that are routinely locked if not open) for exactly that reason and you can only get in with a key. Locked myself out a few times when I first changed over.
I have a couple of safes for watches, jewellery etc but they are cheap ish Yale safes (like you get in hotels) but freely acknowledge that they are little more than a simple deterrent and are not fire proof or able to resist much of an attack
I have a couple of safes for watches, jewellery etc but they are cheap ish Yale safes (like you get in hotels) but freely acknowledge that they are little more than a simple deterrent and are not fire proof or able to resist much of an attack
Dan!
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If they're aware of the safe, and are coming for stuff they expect to be in it, then yes they'll also be the type that will persuade you to open it.
It's for this reason, after been broken into and car keys taken... followed by the cars a few years ago, that I keep the car keys in plain sight rather than hidden away.
I was advised by the police that this is 100% the right thing to do, as they then went on to tell me horrific stories of boiled kettles being held above kid's heads until keys were handed over.
UlstermanAbroad
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Don't know where you're located Simon. However, if there's a crime prevention officer based at your local police station, they'll come out, take a look around your property and make some recommendations. If there is such a thing as a crime prevention officer these days.
Same as cars, opportunistic thieves will check doors and if left open will lift anything that's easily sold on, like jewellery, electronics etc Cash, obviously.
So, yeh, locking your doors would be a good first step
I don't wish to worry you. However, statistically, when you're the victim of a domestic crime, you're much more likely to be a victim again very soon. Thieves who steal, know that house insurance will replace items pretty quickly and for that reason, amongst many, may revisit a property to try to steal the replacement items.
If I was this little so n so, I would definitely come back, because in time, you may go back to your old behaviour of being lax with your security.
Safes are a whole subject of themselves and if you PM me, I can give you basic advice. You'd be better off talking to a specialist, if you feel that you have valuables that warrant the expense.
Cheap deterrents include. Motion activated lights mounted high on external walls. Overlapping and covering every external entry point, at least. Real or fake CCTV cameras, mounted high. If fake, ensure they're not of the common fake variety and ensure there's an attached power lead and light showing the camera is powered.
Join your local neighbourhood watch scheme. If one property suffers a crime, I believe the rest are notified quickly?
Or local Facebook neighbourhood group.
Powerful lights, motion sensitive, are a powerful deterrent. As are cameras. Most thieves will be habitual and if they know police might obtain an identifying image, they will be easily found and arrested.
You've had a near miss. Use the opportunity as a wake-up and take some basic, inexpensive measures and its unlikely you'll have a forced break-in in future
Same as cars, opportunistic thieves will check doors and if left open will lift anything that's easily sold on, like jewellery, electronics etc Cash, obviously.
So, yeh, locking your doors would be a good first step
I don't wish to worry you. However, statistically, when you're the victim of a domestic crime, you're much more likely to be a victim again very soon. Thieves who steal, know that house insurance will replace items pretty quickly and for that reason, amongst many, may revisit a property to try to steal the replacement items.
If I was this little so n so, I would definitely come back, because in time, you may go back to your old behaviour of being lax with your security.
Safes are a whole subject of themselves and if you PM me, I can give you basic advice. You'd be better off talking to a specialist, if you feel that you have valuables that warrant the expense.
Cheap deterrents include. Motion activated lights mounted high on external walls. Overlapping and covering every external entry point, at least. Real or fake CCTV cameras, mounted high. If fake, ensure they're not of the common fake variety and ensure there's an attached power lead and light showing the camera is powered.
Join your local neighbourhood watch scheme. If one property suffers a crime, I believe the rest are notified quickly?
Or local Facebook neighbourhood group.
Powerful lights, motion sensitive, are a powerful deterrent. As are cameras. Most thieves will be habitual and if they know police might obtain an identifying image, they will be easily found and arrested.
You've had a near miss. Use the opportunity as a wake-up and take some basic, inexpensive measures and its unlikely you'll have a forced break-in in future
Gazcw
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Always have the alarm for the doors turned on after dark. I use a fob for speedy switching off if anyone calls or I need to go outside for bins etc. At least one set of car keys left on kitchen worktop for those on the drive. It is not worth making it difficult for them. Safe for when you are out is ideal for irreplaceable items and keepsakes though especially if a fire safe too. Oh and cameras with movement alarms too that I get a ping on mobile if alarm set or certain times.
lifes2short
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forget all the above nonsense what you need is a couple of these
Gazcw
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How did you get a picture of my wife?
lifes2short
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i can tell you something for nothing, if i had the choice of being confronting by an angry mrs l2s or that mutt i would choose the mutt all day long
Talking to the neighbours this afternoon it looks like there’s been a local druggie going round trying doors etc. One of the neighbours thinks he knows who. But yes not having the door locked isn’t wise. Spent the afternoon putting up a couple of pir security lights as a deterrent. The safe would be more for if we were away and somebody got in.
mjheathcote
Centenary Club
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We've got the usual house alarm, cameras, etc but our house alarm can't be set at night due to how it is configured/sensors in place.
I've therefore added wireless door sensors to every external door, linked to alexa.
During the day when ever any external door is opened, it is announced to every alexa around the house.
At night similar with a few audible deterents....
You can use your imagination through alexa routines.
Basically when you are at home no one can just walk in through a door, locked or unlocked, without it being loudly announced.
Can also be linked to sending an email notification if the house is left empty say on holiday.
If you already have alexa the sensors are cheap, and I've never had to change a battery in any of them for about a year.
I've therefore added wireless door sensors to every external door, linked to alexa.
During the day when ever any external door is opened, it is announced to every alexa around the house.
At night similar with a few audible deterents....
You can use your imagination through alexa routines.
Basically when you are at home no one can just walk in through a door, locked or unlocked, without it being loudly announced.
Can also be linked to sending an email notification if the house is left empty say on holiday.
If you already have alexa the sensors are cheap, and I've never had to change a battery in any of them for about a year.
Silvercat
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Get yourself a 'Ring'Camera system or similar. You can buy a whole system for around £800 which is probably a similar price to a decent safe. The external cameras can also come with spot lights and sirens for a bit more money. All linked to your smart phone and recorded on a cloud server.Don't know where you're located Simon. However, if there's a crime prevention officer based at your local police station, they'll come out, take a look around your property and make some recommendations. If there is such a thing as a crime prevention officer these days.
Same as cars, opportunistic thieves will check doors and if left open will lift anything that's easily sold on, like jewellery, electronics etc Cash, obviously.
So, yeh, locking your doors would be a good first step
I don't wish to worry you. However, statistically, when you're the victim of a domestic crime, you're much more likely to be a victim again very soon. Thieves who steal, know that house insurance will replace items pretty quickly and for that reason, amongst many, may revisit a property to try to steal the replacement items.
If I was this little so n so, I would definitely come back, because in time, you may go back to your old behaviour of being lax with your security.
Safes are a whole subject of themselves and if you PM me, I can give you basic advice. You'd be better off talking to a specialist, if you feel that you have valuables that warrant the expense.
Cheap deterrents include. Motion activated lights mounted high on external walls. Overlapping and covering every external entry point, at least. Real or fake CCTV cameras, mounted high. If fake, ensure they're not of the common fake variety and ensure there's an attached power lead and light showing the camera is powered.
Join your local neighbourhood watch scheme. If one property suffers a crime, I believe the rest are notified quickly?
Or local Facebook neighbourhood group.
Powerful lights, motion sensitive, are a powerful deterrent. As are cameras. Most thieves will be habitual and if they know police might obtain an identifying image, they will be easily found and arrested.
You've had a near miss. Use the opportunity as a wake-up and take some basic, inexpensive measures and its unlikely you'll have a forced break-in in future
CatmanV2
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- 48,778
It's dead easy, actually. Anyone wants me to set them up I can provide a system that does everything that the honourable @mjheathcote has suggested and indeed, your central locking.
And much much more......
C
lifes2short
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i'm genuinely curious, how the heck do you retro fit central locking to all doors and windows on an existing house
lifes2short
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it is and that's why i always go for fully monitored police response alarm systems, they're not that expensive and well worth it for peace of mind and security
CatmanV2
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They way I'd do it would be to use z-wave enable locks with an open source controller and a z-wave pocket remote. Once you've got that in, you can do TRVs, boiler controls, flood detectors, light switches, sockets, geo-location, voice intergration, motion and open sensors and so on. Your imagination is pretty much your only limitation, although some of the logic can be 'interesting'
Window openers are also available, but primarily for roof windows. 'Normal' windows would be trickier, I admit. Personally never really considered windows as 'central locking' although they obviously are on a car, but we don't normally go in and out through them
C
conaero
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Get a safe and wire it to the mains when the leaver is pushed down....baseball bat from under the bed just to make sure.
You will probably go to jail so make sure the baseball bat hit is sufficient so you can say it was worth it. One in the knackers just to make sure. (theirs not yours)
You will probably go to jail so make sure the baseball bat hit is sufficient so you can say it was worth it. One in the knackers just to make sure. (theirs not yours)