Teen guy alone at home worried about break-ins… any advice?

There’s been a lot of theft in my area lately. Last night, three guys walked past my house, right near the side. They didn’t do anything, but I’m worried someone might try to break in one day.

My house is the biggest one in the neighborhood, so it feels like an easy target. We have some cameras, but the quality is really bad. Our dog barks a lot but isn’t aggressive—I think it’d play with the thieves instead of scaring them.

We have two gates: one on the main street and another on a private street. Plus, there’s a large open garden area. I’m thinking about getting better cameras, maybe a proper guard dog (like a German Shepherd), and other stuff like electric fences for security.

I’m 16 years old, and my dad is in the military, so it’s just me and my mom living here. I feel like I need to protect my home, but I don’t know where to start.

I’d love to hear your thoughts or advice. Thanks for reading!

First of all, nothing in your house is worth risking your life over. The most important thing is staying safe. Losing stuff isn’t the end of the world, but getting hurt would be devastating, especially for your mom and dad.

Second, electrifying a fence might be illegal, so look into that carefully.

Lastly, you should talk to your dad about this. Even if he’s far away, he’d want to know how worried you are and help however he can.

@Leith
Thanks for your advice. You’re right, safety is the most important thing. It’s just me and my mom here, so I want to do my best to protect her.

About the fence—here in India, rules are often overlooked, so we might go ahead with that idea. My dad knows how I feel, but he can only give general advice. He says the same thing: staying unharmed is the priority.

A guard dog is a great idea. If you can’t get a gun, maybe pepper spray or a bat? Can your mom buy a weapon, or do you have younger kids in the house?

Mica said:
A guard dog is a great idea. If you can’t get a gun, maybe pepper spray or a bat? Can your mom buy a weapon, or do you have younger kids in the house?

Gun laws here are super strict, so that’s unlikely unless we get one illegally, which isn’t ideal.

It’s just me and my mom, no younger kids. I’ve stashed bats and sticks near the entrances, and I keep knives and a sword in my room for now.

Install bright motion-sensor lights and better cameras to capture faces. How about your neighbors? Are they helpful? Make sure your doors and windows are secure.

Better cameras and visible ones would help. Even poor-quality cameras can be a deterrent if people know they’re being watched. Add outdoor lights too—thieves hate being seen. Can the local police patrol more in your area?

@Hal
The local police here are more likely to be friends with the thieves than to help. Thanks for the tips, though—I’ll look into getting better cameras and lights.

A dog would definitely help! Maybe even two. They’d be a good deterrent, and you’d feel more secure knowing they’re always alert.

Here are a few ideas depending on your budget:

  • Motion-sensor sprinklers (lock the hose shut-off valve)
  • Door barricade bars to stop break-ins
  • Iron bars or shutters for windows and doors
  • Replace short screws in door frames with longer ones for more strength

If you can, hire a professional to secure your home better. But like others said, no property is worth risking your life over. Stay safe above all.

@Vic
One thing to remember about window bars: if they aren’t quick-release, they can be a fire hazard. Plus, banks might reject loan applications because they see them as unsafe. I love the ones on my house, but the bank didn’t like them at all.

Search for advice from former burglars—they share good tips online. They say the main thing is thieves want quick and quiet access, so make it hard for them.

Some things that worked for me:

  • Stick in the track of sliding doors
  • Lock all doors and windows, even if you’re home
  • Solid exterior doors and metal security screens
  • Taller fences and secure gates
  • Cameras like Ring

Also, look at your house like a thief would. Walk by and see if anything stands out—like valuables visible through windows. Small changes can make your house less tempting.