What can I do to protect my family right now

Some context: I work with a guy who’s honestly terrifying. Over the past year, he’s shown he’s not just incompetent but also has serious anger issues and a history of lying. Now, the situation at work has escalated, and he’s about to be fired. The issue is, it’s not just losing a job—he’s the type of person you could imagine holding a grudge.

There are three of us who he might come after—me, my boss, and a coworker who worked closely with him. The police are already aware this could become a problem, but I don’t want to sit back and just wait for something to happen. I need to ensure my family is safe, especially while I’m at work.

Here’s what I’ve got so far: I have security cameras that record to a DVR (not monitored), my wife has a 9mm secured in a safe (we’ve got a toddler, so safety is a priority), and there’s a couple of baseball bats around the house. We also have neighborhood watch and two big dogs who are good alarms, though I wouldn’t put it past this guy to harm them.

I’m looking for quick and affordable ways to beef up home security.

Your wife should consider carrying while she’s at home.

Reagan said:
Your wife should consider carrying while she’s at home.

I agree. Having a gun locked away in a closet isn’t helpful if something happens quickly. I understand the concern about toddlers, but there are ways to carry safely. I used to pocket carry, and my kids never got close to it. As they got older, they understood it was there to protect them.

If carrying isn’t an option, you could consider quick-access fingerprint safes mounted in a few key locations in your house. That way, you can get to the gun quickly, no matter where you are. Just something to think about.

Reagan said:
Your wife should consider carrying while she’s at home.

And make sure both of you head to the range regularly. Practice is crucial, especially if you’re serious about defending your home.

Forgot to mention—we have two big dogs. They’re great at alerting us if someone’s around, but I’m worried this guy might hurt them if he does show up. Also, one of our neighbors is ex-special forces, and I know he’s armed. It’s a small comfort, at least.

@Dex
Dogs are excellent early-warning systems, especially if they’re trained not to bark at every little thing. Hopefully, they’ll focus on real threats.

Dru said:
@Dex
Dogs are excellent early-warning systems, especially if they’re trained not to bark at every little thing. Hopefully, they’ll focus on real threats.

One of the dogs is good about that, but the other is a puppy and barks at everything—leaves, shadows, you name it.

@Dex
Sounds like you’ll need to pay attention to the older dog if they both start barking. Puppies can be unpredictable!

Here are some quick and inexpensive upgrades you can make:

  1. Install a DIY security system on all doors and windows. You can get kits online that are easy to set up and don’t require professional installation.
  2. Harden your doors—replace short screws in the hinges and locks with 3.5-inch screws to make it harder to kick them in.
  3. Add motion-activated security lights around your property. RAB makes reliable ones, and you can find them on Amazon.
  4. Talk to your neighbor. If they’re ex-special forces and armed, giving them a heads-up could make a big difference.

Lastly, your wife should consider carrying while at home, and you might want a quick-access pistol safe for nighttime. Check out models with simplex locks—no batteries needed, and they’re reliable. Stay safe!

@Ira
I’d recommend SimpliSafe for a quick DIY solution. They offer optional 24/7 monitoring, so the police are alerted immediately if a sensor is triggered. I used a promo code for 45% off and a free indoor camera—totally worth it.

Wishing you and your family safety and peace of mind!

@Ira
Why specifically 3.5-inch screws for the doors? I’ve heard 3-inch and even 4-inch screws recommended. Is there a reason you prefer 3.5-inch screws for residential use?

A few things to consider:

  1. Your wife should carry her firearm on her person. If it’s safely holstered and the safety is on, your toddler won’t be able to access it.
  2. Replace the screws in all your door locks and frames with 3-inch or longer screws to reinforce them.
  3. Apply security film to your windows to make them harder to break.
  4. If possible, replace your bedroom door with a heavy-duty model and reinforce the frame. This can turn it into a makeshift safe room.

In any situation, remember to follow ARCH:

  • Arm Yourself
  • Run Away
  • Call For Help
  • Hide

Hopefully, you’ll never need to use any of this, but it’s better to be prepared than caught off guard.

It’s good that you’re focusing on home security, but what about workplace security? Are you sure the company is taking precautions? Workplace shootings by disgruntled ex-employees happen more often than people think.

I remember hearing about a case where a fired employee returned and attacked during a meeting because no one thought to search him. Just something to keep in mind.

@Vail
The workplace is secure. Once they take his badge, he won’t be able to get back in easily. The only thing that worries me is the appeal process where they’ll have to let him back on-site for a meeting. If that happens, I might just call in sick that day.