Well, I didn't need to see this! I always thought locks with bolts were safe. I know the other kind of lock where you just push in the knob is useless and can be opened with sliding a credit card down...my sister showed me that when she visited me when my husband died. That's the kind of lock I had on my side garage door...changed that to a bolt. I've never had pkgs stolen...yet.
I don't. If woken from a deep sleep I don't think even if I had one I'd probably have the disadvantage That sentence looks wrong but you get the idea....they'd shoot me before I shot them.. Of course my alarm would alert me and Pickles might but I can't trust him to bark always because I saw that he was petrified of the rat sounds. If they come in my bedroom patio door, they could shoot me as the alarm goes off that's how close my bed is to the door...plus it's dark and I'd have to roll over and reach for my glasses. I might as well just accept the fact that it won't end my way.
not if you take a course on how to use one. most gun dealers have a shooting range and will be glad to teach you.
True. I do have a chance if they come in the front but if they come in the back way which makes more sense anyway for them...the odds are in their favor. How hard is a patio door to break in? He'd be awake, I'd be asleep. The alarm would wake me but he's already by my head at that point. Hope I forget about this post by bedtime.
Is the patio door a sliding glass one, @Chrissy Page? If so, do you have an extra lock on it or at least a broom handle or other device in it to make it a bit more difficult? I'd heard of lock bumping, but didn't have as much detailed info as the video gave. Personally, I think the lock companies should work on lower cost solutions. Most homes have at least 2 entry/exit doors, that's about $300+ for the special locks mentioned, and not everyone has that kind of money to throw around, nevermind the know how and ability to install them, without paying additional costs. I think if they sell locks, those locks should be more secure and not be able to be opened with an inexpensive key and a few bumps. One thing in your favor @Chrissy Page is that a lot of burglars don't carry guns. I keep various weapons around the house just in case. I hear you with regard to needing to put glasses on before tackling a burgler, but it might be good to keep something else handy. I don't know if CA allows mace or stun guns, but either would be good for your bedside table.
Yes, it's glass and has a lock but just a simple one that you click up or down. I do put a stick in the bottom track on one side, don't know how much that helps...probably gives me a little extra time. Thanks for the mace idea, that's something I could do but have to look up the law.
If you look on Amazon for the products, it'll usually tell which states they can't ship to, but it's always good to double check. Anything that gives you extra time would be good. I have a loud siren app on my mobile that I can always click if I think of it, the volume and suddenness of that might make someone think twice, who knows what goes through their minds. I'd prefer to scare them off than shoot or gut them, but I'd also like for them to be caught. If you're going to upgrade and add something like the video doorbell, maybe they could also install cameras over your back and patio doors that take pics, that way they'd at least know who to look for if they escaped.
I think mace is allowed here for sure but I'm not seeing a definite answer on a stun gun but I have looked that closely yet. I also have to decide what my future plans are regarding staying here before I do a costly upgrade...all these things drive me bonkers.... What makes me angry is all these years I'm paying $50 a month and I find out now that they can just cut my telephone wire?? At least that's what the wireless system people are saying...so what was or is the point of my security system? Life was so much easier when I had my husband or ex to protect me.
If I had the money, a drill, and the ability, I'd definitely install those. personally, I'd be o.k. with installing a remote controlled machine gun to mow down trespassers, but of course that's not allowed. I just had a knock at the door. I am still in my PJs, so went to grab a robe before checking to see who it was. By the time I got downstairs, I saw a black guy and a scraggly looking white guy going door to door. I know there's no one next door, and the others wouldn't open their door to them. There's supposed to be no soliciting here, but occasionally, we'll get one. They broke my gate even further than it was already broken, by pulling it, rather than pushing. I don't know why people can't understand if it resists, try the other way, but everyone seems incapable of comprehending that. On the plus side, I went out to pull the gate closed again, since they were also incapable of closing it, and noticed I had a package, so at least they weren't package thieves.
I won't open the at all after I read that people were robbed when they opened their door, especially if elderly. The robbers pushed them aside, tied them up and robbed them. I read about this here (not my neighborhood) but in Fresno and people were warned to be careful. it was happening during the day and one older couple was even beaten.
if you don't have an existing light then yes you'll need to have a new install done by an electrician.. BUT most homes already have existing front and back outside lights.. if you already have one all you need is a Phillips screwdriver. DIY experience get's it done. example also stores like Lowe's and home depot offer installation.
I forgot to mention you can have your existing locks changed to bump proof. I took mine off, including dead bolts to a locksmith. and it didn't take long. this was back in the 90's so i don't remember the cost but considerably cheaper than new locks. or you can pay them them to come out and do it.