What do you use for security in your home? We unfortunately had an expensive package stolen from us, pawned, got it back and then the criminal approached me at my house yesterday when I was home alone with the girls. He lives 2 houses down. We are really looking to amp up our home security since I'm home alone a lot. We were looking into SimpliSafe because of the great reviews but may want something in addition to that.
What do you use? Alarm system? Cameras? A dog? Something else?
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22646 posts
We have two dogs and an adt security alarm. Our dogs aren't much of guard dogs though... I'm so sorry you're dealing with that, esp a shitty neighbor!
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
@Bao: 
I would definitely call the cops and let them know you were approached.
In your case I would definitely want more than just cameras. Detectors on windows and doors. Do you have the ability to look out your door to see who's there? And definitely locks on any fence gates.
ETA: I also wouldn't hesitate to tel other neighbors about the situation, especially if they are SAH or elderly who are also home a lot. That way they can let you know if they see suspicious activity. Lock your cars!
hostess / wonderful honeydew / 32460 posts
Oh no!
We have security cameras inside and outside of the house and an alarm system complete with door and window sensors.
pear / 1586 posts
We have an alarm system (we use FrontPoint which is one where you install it yourself) and a pitbull mix who is very sweet and doesn't bark at all but looks threatening anyway.
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22276 posts
@regberadaisy: I made a report minutes after he showed up and have a...I don't know what it's called but if he steps on our property it's immediate arrest. We can see who is here, I had the door open just the screen door was protecting me. He had his hand behind his back the entire time too, it was so so scary.
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22276 posts
@jape14: that's what this Simplisafe is, you install yourself...
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
@jape14: haha that is our dog. She's a pitbull mix too and looks and sounds very threatening. But is a marshmallow.
pomegranate / 3565 posts
We have dogs. Actually I would consider my 140 pound German Shepherd the best security system. He can be a pain because of the shedding but he is wonderfully sweet. Sweet to us and always on alert protecting the house. My husband works nights often so I'm by myself with the boys. He does give me peace of mind. I feel like his bark would most definitely deter an intruder and at least give me time to call the police or get the boys safe.
I think an alarm system would be great too. But even with an alarm system I think I'd always keep a dog. They'll alert me to someone outside before the alarm would.
Eta: assuming it's the right dog! I've also had some that are not guard dogs!
watermelon / 14467 posts
We have a dog and and alarm system that is not hooked up. We should probably get on that.
I'm so sorry you are dealing with this!
wonderful pea / 17279 posts
OMG that sounds so scary!
We have no security. Our house is wired for alarms, but we don't use it. So there's no beeping when doors are opened. We priced out having the alarm monitored by a company, but opted not too. Based on what the security guy said the only thing left to do was add motion detectors around the perimiter. I don't know how costly the wiring for our home was because the previous owner did it, but I would start there.
Packages are left at our front door. The entry to our house is more like a vestibule so some of the time the packages are hidden from view. If you can't trust your neighbor I would just stop getting deliveries to the house and pick them up from the distribution center.
pear / 1586 posts
@Bao: that's what I figured! from walking the dog around our neighborhood (we live downtown-adjacent and close to some sketchier areas - break-ins are fairly common), a lot of people have the DIY kind. DH installed ours and it was really simple to do!
we also have flood lights overlooking our driveway and backyard (on our front/back porch) and we installed motion sensors on them. super easy to do and gives a little extra peace of mind!
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22276 posts
@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: luckily I'm usually home so can accept packages but our other neighbor is on the lookout for me from now on (73 year old, active) to help me watch for packages. But I'm requiring a signature now through UPS since that's what he advised me to do yesterday. And then the mail man said if he doesn't hand deliver it to me he will leave a note and take it back to the postal office. We also have the option of sending things to DH's work.
nectarine / 2636 posts
Damn, that's so scary! We Don't have a system, just a large dog with a *really*loud bark, who barks at anything walking by and freaks when someone comes to the door.
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
WTF?! That's terrible!! So sorry and so scary man!! Especially since he approached you AND he lives two doors down. Yikes!!!!!!
We have an alarm system, but have recently discussed adding security cameras. We have a few friends that have them and it seems nice to have. Some even can remotely control certain features of their house through the security cameras!
nectarine / 2262 posts
We have an alarm system through Comcast. We weren't planning on it, but basically they offered us the additional home security package for an extra $15 a month so we did it. For the price it's fine, although it's probably not THE most secure. I love that it can all be controlled from an app on our phones.
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
That is soo scary! So sorry you have to deal with this. My dog is small and totally harmless, but she has a mean sounding bark so after I open the door to someone who's never seen her, they're always surprised!
kiwi / 706 posts
We have an alarm system and dog. We got a beware of dog sign even though he is a friendly lab who would probably befriend a burglar.
For the alarm - we had ADT in our last home and didn't love the customer service. We used a local company this time and the owner came out to do a full walk through ams gave us several great ideas on how to customize things for our house. Things I wouldn't have thought of myself like a sensor on the garage to see on the panel if we left it open, and tons of other good ideas. I will always use a local business now!
Re: ADT - we moved within the contract timeframe and they said we could move the service. We didn't close on our new house within 90 days of moving (had to temporarily rent while house hunting in a crazy market) and they made us pay 1000 dollars to buy out the contract rather than waiting ten days for the closing. "Sorry, that's how the system is set up" is what they told us. 
eggplant / 11824 posts
@Bao: I don’t have a recommendation on an alarm system, but if they are UPS packages, there is a free service you can sign up for with UPS and they will email when someone ships a package to you – you can select what address you want to receive the package at, or if you want to have them hold it at the distribution center. You get notified several days before it’s delivered, so you can plan ahead if you want them to hold it so you can pick it up. It’s a very, very handy service!
Yikes re: your shifty neighbor. This isn’t a real solution, but I wonder if you bought an ADT sign (or similar sign saying your home is protected), and put that in your front yard if he would back off. He doesn’t have to know you don’t really have a system in place….might buy you some time.
pomelo / 5000 posts
@yoursilverlining: i was going to suggest that! The house we just bought has a "this house is protected by...." security sign in front. I had the thought that we wouldn't really need to activate it, but maybe the sign alone would deter intruders.
We have a big German Shepherd--didn't get her for protection, but it's definitely a bonus. Most dogs won't attack unless trained to do so, but she has a great bark, is on alert (so I would get a heads up), and looks scary as hell when she puffs herself all up and charges.
I'm sorry you're having to deal with this and hope you can find a solution to give you some peace of mind.
cherry / 220 posts
We have Simpli Safe and so far it has been great, it was super easy to install. My husband accidentally set it off the other morning and they called him within a minute. As with any security system, if you opt for the motion sensor be careful of where you put it if you have pets (we had to move out since the cat once set it off)
grapefruit / 4545 posts
We have a dog - she isnt much in the size/tough department but she barks at everything, which most people say is the best home security you can have.
In our new house we have a security system through comcast. Right now we have sensors on all external doors and one motion detector (we never use it). We have motion sensor light by our garage and garage door. FWIW - our monitoring costs through comcast are off set by a discount we receive from state farm on our homeowners insurance.
In the future, we plan to add some cameras. The install guy showed us a nice location inside the house which would give us a very good viewpoint of 60-75% of the first floor. We also would like to add a camera or two externally. Lastly - we want to add motion lights on our deck - we have a sliding glass door and a regular door in to the fam room from there.
We did a lot of research and motion sensor lights are a great and economical way to deter crooks - especially on the back of homes where they sometimes feel "protected" and more comfortable breaking in.
grapefruit / 4817 posts
@Bao: Oh my gosh! I saw on IG that your neighbor had stolen something and pawned it, but I can't believe he came back and approached you! What did he say? That is so scary. I would get a dog. We have an alarm system (local company), but our dog passed in February and I don't feel as safe now that we're dog free.
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22276 posts
@BananaPancakes: dogs need food though! And vet bills lol!
He came over to tell me he didn't do it and he found the boxes down the road and it's another guy with the same name that did it. Yeah, ok.
grapefruit / 4817 posts
@Bao: Ha ha. Very true, but that would really freak me out. What a creep!
grapefruit / 4355 posts
We have s dog but she's not much security!
After our house was broken into last year, we got an alarm system with sensors on all doors and windows. We also have deadbolts on all outside doors.
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