3rd + Update Prep List (Other Security Items)

We put up a 6' wooden fence across the back yard, with a locking gate.

I bought some plexiglass to screw into the bottom halves of the French doors.  Probably need some lumber to put on vertically, too, like one board down the center.  I bought some blackout drapes for the LR windows, but I'm in no hurry to put them up, because they are so dark (the color, not the blackout effect).

I bought some bicycle hangers to screw into the sides of the door jambs, to hold 2x4s to block entrance at front and back doors.  Another door idea is lumber that can be wedged against a vertical door jamb or stair riser a few feet from the exterior door.  We've had to do that for one reason or another already, but I should find the right lengths again. 

We already have some roses growing under the front windows.  Removing rocks, etc. is a good idea.


"The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it."  Flannery O'Connor

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by: Jane @ Mon Jan 29, 2007 at 22:30:17 PM UTC

Do double duty ... check to see what security improvements that you can make ...

that will also help bring down the cost of your home insurance.  Since we don't know when ... well even if ... we are going to have a pandemic event that is so astronomical as to have an effect on our social environment in terms of our personal safety due to the negative human element (how is that for political correctness?) you may want to look into making your security measures part of your efforts to lower the cost of your home owner's insurance.

As many may know, we had a horrible vandalism incident at our second home.  We had to do some rather fancy and expensive security changes to keep our home owners and to keep it from doubling/tripling as a result.  What we did was did enough work ourselves so that the settlement paid for a good portion of the added security.  We put in roll down and accordion metal shutters on all openings except the garage door which is already reinforced per hurricane codes.

That sort of thing is just prohibitive at our primary residence.  We are considering biting the bullet though and having one or two roll downs installed over some rear openings ... a set of french doors and a door on the lanai that would be an easy target.

All of our doors are already metal, except for our front door which is 2"+ solid wood.  We already have deadbolts on all doors as well.

There are a couple of windows that we will be reinforcing with various things. 

I like the idea of the door bars.  Our problem is that the exterior of our house is block with the cells around the doors and windows being solid.  Putting in braces for a door bar will require tools that will need electricity ... so it will be a job to do before the power goes out.  I'll have to think about how to make any holes "pretty" so that its not apparent what they are if we don't actually install the braces.

We have some cut-to-fit plywood that we can put inside the window frames, but we need to leave the kids options to get out in the event of fire or other calamity.

If you are thinking of investing in those heavy-duty, pvc blinds ... don't.  I've found that they break too easily for them to truly be of use in security matters.  If a two year old can break them accidentally ... a full-sized person can break them on purpose with ease.  We've also looked at those decorative, interior shutters and come to the same conclusion ... pretty, but useless.


Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed it is the only thing that ever has. -- Margaret Mead

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by: KathyinFL @ Mon Jan 29, 2007 at 23:51:39 PM UTC

window security

I dont have the link handy but there is this clear film by 3M that goes on the outside and or inside of your windows that makes them kinda like a laminate and even if the glass is broken the window pane is still held in place and secure.  They have some impressive videos online of hammers and people kicking the glass.  It breaks the glass but doesnt get a hole in it.  It was a couple hundred to a grand to do a professional install on an average house.  I havent done it yet but its on the list.  Or a cheaper but much less effective method would be clear contact paper.  At least you wouldn't have a huge hole if the window broke but someone could easily push through that.

Carry the torch, not to light the way, but to set your peers on fire!

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by: Annoyed Max--Not mad yet @ Tue Jan 30, 2007 at 15:18:34 PM UTC

window security

That is something to look into at the Homedepot in my area.  It should be good for the storm season down here in Florida Too!!

My front door at one time was wood and wood frame.  When I got ready to change it out I wanted to find out just how fast some one (My 19 year old son - 200 lbs) could kick it in.  It took him less then 30 sec.  that was with a 1 inch dead bolt engaged.  Now the frame is metal with a metal door with 3 dead bolts of 2 inch also it has a set up for what is used in NYC as a metal bar jam.  It is nearly impossible to get through.  That is the way I wanted it.

  No warning - no way to fight - no way to win!  
We need help in our local communities to survive. Remember that quote:    "...No man is an island..."

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by: RICHARD-FL @ Tue Jan 30, 2007 at 15:59:02 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Metal doors and doorframes

I only have two wooden doors and door frames left on my house.  Thank goodness, for many reason including changing locks (no re-drilling the bolt holes in the fram), carpenter ants and dry rot.  LOL!

The two doors that remain wooden are the front door and one door on the side of the house that opens onto the utility room.  The utility room door fram is set in concrete block.  The door itself is a "custom" size so while the door is a 2" thick heavy monster I would like to change it out when time and money permit.  The problem will be getting a metal door and door frame to fit the existing opening.

The front door has gotten new locks and dead bolts. We may or may not replace it at some point this year.  Time and circumstances are kind of governing a few things at the moment.  There are large windows beside the front door that look into the dining room.  Someone who wants to get in would have an easier time just busting out a window and crawling through than bothering with any of the doors.

Then we have a set of double french doors at the rear of the house, but we will look into roll downs for those as nothing else is going to give much security.

For now our primary security concern is the rear of the house.  We have a high privacy fence and do not live in a typical suburban setting, though we do live in the suburbs.  Luckily ... or not, depending on how you look at it ... our neighbor sits to the side and behind our lot.  Her house is multi-storied with the garage the bottom floor so even when she is on her "first" floor living area she has a clear view over our fence and into our house.  In other words, I've not been inclinde to skinny dip in the pool.  LOL!  Her daughter lives across the street and they've both lived in the neighborhood since before it was a neighborhood.  They know who belongs and who doesn't.  The two of them together are better than any watch dog or security system available.  ROFL!  I actually feel lucky having them for neighbors.

Bottom line, as in other areas, good neighbors may just save more than a few from the potential consequences of a pandemic event.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed it is the only thing that ever has. -- Margaret Mead

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by: KathyinFL @ Tue Jan 30, 2007 at 16:17:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

We're screwed if things go that way...

We have countless windows on our first floor - just the family room alone has 8 plus a sliding glass door!  I'm just not sure we could ever reinforce all the windows and doors effectively and cost efficiently.  There are only one set of stairs so we could barricade ourselves upstairs I guess.  But, we also live on a quiet street in a rural town on three acres.  Our neighbors wouldn't even hear us scream....

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by: LauraB @ Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 02:30:07 AM UTC

LauraB, how far off the ground are the windows? Can you close off the family room, if that's the most vulnerable?

My first floor windows are too high to climb into from the ground.  I planted rose bushes under 2 windows anyway.  I have to make sure there isn't anything left in the yard to use as a stepping stool.  My  basement windows need a little more reinforcement, though.

"The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it."  Flannery O'Connor

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by: Jane @ Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 19:30:13 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I hate to be a bummer but...

FIRE is the great equalizer. 

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by: On the Fence and Leaning @ Wed Apr 04, 2007 at 13:37:30 PM UTC

Fire Extinguishers

We have four extinguishers in the house now - but I think I'm going to increase that amount to one per room.  I don't know a better way to prepare for the possibility of fire than to be prepared to put the fire out! 

There's no way to prepare for the eventuality that someone may try to burn you out of your home to get hold of your preps. 

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by: Clawdia @ Wed Apr 04, 2007 at 15:43:39 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Make extinguisher size appropriate to the room

It will be OK to have a small extinguisher in say a bathroom area ... but larger rooms need to have larger fire extinguishers. 

Check to see what is code in your local commerical and rental properties.  That should give you a good rule of thumb to go by.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed it is the only thing that ever has. -- Margaret Mead

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by: KathyinFL @ Wed Apr 04, 2007 at 15:56:37 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Burn a person out to get at preps

Clawdia,

  Wow - what a thought. How horrible.

  Still better to be prepared.

  Better to over prepare than under prepare.

Kobie

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by: Kobie @ Wed Apr 04, 2007 at 16:39:00 PM UTC

[ Parent ]