We live in a small town dealing with a meth crisis and a huge rise in youth crime over the last year.
Every night, there are home invasions by armed teens. Some family members have been broken into nine times, cars stolen twice, and even threatened with knives. The town feels like it’s under siege, and the offenders keep getting bailed because of the young offenders act. Recently, an 85-year-old man was assaulted.
I’m 36, a mom, and at home with two small kids, often alone, and it’s scary. We’ve got cameras set up, but I need more ideas for what to do if they manage to get in. Just two nights ago, a friend’s home was broken into. She and her kids were threatened at knifepoint until they handed over the car keys. She’s a teacher and recognized some of the offenders, but they’re still not locked up.
I’m looking for things I can buy to reinforce our doors and windows. If anyone has suggestions, I’d be really grateful. Thank you!
You can add a lot of layers to your home security.
Lock your gate at night.
Put up ‘Beware of Dog’ signs.
Install motion-activated solar lights and floodlights. These are easy to set up yourself.
Use wireless cameras. Eufy ones are affordable and have alarm options.
Make sure windows are locked, and add sticks to sliding ones.
Install deadbolts on doors. Use longer screws for the hinges and latches to make them harder to kick in.
Lock your garage door or disable it when not in use.
Clear bins and other items away from fences or windows.
Most crimes are opportunistic, so make your house look less appealing to thieves. Lock up your car, keep blinds closed, and leave a light on at night. Double-check everything before going to bed.
@Keelan
This is a great list! One extra tip: physically lock the garage door instead of just turning off the power. It’s easy to force it open otherwise. You can also remove the emergency release cord for extra security.
@Keelan
Thanks for this detailed list! I’ve done some of these—added extra bolts to doors and set up cameras—but I’ll work on the rest. I wish I could move, but it’s not an option right now. They’re breaking in by forcing windows open or sneaking in through anything left unlocked. I’m quadruple-checking everything these days. Appreciate the advice!
A fire extinguisher can be useful—not just for fires but also for self-defense. Spray it to disorient someone, and the can itself is heavy enough to use if needed.
Also, I’d caution against relying on dogs for defense unless you’re experienced with training specific breeds. Many family dogs aren’t naturally protective and could freeze in a crisis. And if you’re not ready for the expense and responsibility of a guard dog, it might not be the best route to go.
@Mars
Totally agree. I have a GSD, and while he’s protective, it took years of training. Working breeds need a lot of effort to keep them manageable and effective in situations like this.
Maybe ask the police what’s legally allowed for home defense. They might have some good advice.
For deterrents, consider sprinklers on motion sensors with bright lights and loud alarms. If you’re comfortable with it, you could keep something like a bat or even a shotgun nearby for last-resort situations.
@Parker
Shotguns are legal in Australia? I thought even laser pointers needed permits there! But good advice about reinforcing doors with long screws and using fire extinguishers as a defense tool.
Ben said: @Parker
Shotguns are legal in Australia? I thought even laser pointers needed permits there! But good advice about reinforcing doors with long screws and using fire extinguishers as a defense tool.
Pepper spray and mace are illegal here, and you’d face harsh penalties for carrying them. It’s frustrating not having legal self-defense options. I keep a box cutter and a small spray bottle of hairspray for emergencies, but it’s ridiculous that we can’t carry even basic protective items.
@Parker
The police just tell us to lock doors and stay safe, which is disheartening. I’m looking for non-lethal ways to protect us, like alarms or tools to scare off intruders.
In some countries, people use heavy iron gates inside their homes to block access to bedrooms at night. You could look into something similar. Security film for windows and grease on fences can also discourage climbing.
It might help to have a family safety plan. Teach your kids how to lock doors and windows as a habit and practice what to do in emergencies like break-ins or fires. Door blockers and window bars can also make your home tougher to enter.