I’m on a budget but really want to make sure my home is secure. I’m curious to know what kind of home security systems or setups people in similar situations have found effective without breaking the bank. What are some budget-friendly options or DIY solutions that have worked for you? Any specific products or strategies you’d recommend? Thanks in advance for your advice!
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The best security for most people is to avoid looking like the easiest target. A couple cameras and a dog are more than many people have, so why pick me? I also don’t show off, and have a good relationship with my neighbors, so they keep an eye out on my house and I often hear when people stop by.
Maybe state a budget (like $2000 or less) and see what people think you can get for that.
Dogs are probably one of the best deterrents. No one wants to deal with someone’s dog. I had two huskies once. One looked like a huge wolf, she would charge anyone she saw but would stop about 2" from your feet and then stick her tongue out and put her head down to be petted.
Most security measures serve as deterrents rather than actual defenses. For example, while a camera won’t physically stop an intruder, the presence of it might discourage them from targeting your home. Motion lights and fences also act as visual deterrents, signaling to potential burglars that breaking in might be too troublesome. You don’t need to spend a fortune all at once; you can gradually improve your security setup, except for a fence, which needs to be installed completely for it to be effective.
Some security features should be discreet. For instance, you don’t need to advertise that you own a gun, as it’s a high-value target. Simple upgrades like using longer, hardened screws for door locks or adding security film to glass doors are effective yet subtle improvements. Security systems can be useful but vary greatly in quality and effectiveness. It’s wise to choose a system you can monitor yourself, even if you also use professional monitoring services.
For 95% of people:
Ring doorbell and a few of their cameras, a dog, some guns. Grand total is probably less than $2,000 depending on what type of guns/dog you get.
I use Ring wireless driveway and floodlight cameras for motion alerts and have 10 wired cameras around the house connected to an NVR that records footage for about 25 days. My only planned upgrade is to buy an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for the NVR, ensuring that the cameras keep recording even during short power outages.
Some decent cameras that record on-site (that you can also access remotely) and a dog, honestly.