Protecting your home/valuables from thieves

[kittens]

Like you know I am not a big fan of guns since I came here from Japan and it is very strange to me. We really do not have guns (I did not see one until I came to the US) in Japan and we have very low crime rates and I think drag rate. So for me it is very strange. But for American people it is very much core of history, I think, and it is one of rights they have. I discussed with my hubby a lot of this issue b/c I do not understand at all. But I think if you are having a gun I think you have to totally know how to use it and storage them correctly. I have seen so many accidents which killed people including children (ok I saw some news that some guy shot himself, i.e., really himself, i.e., his nuts, by playing with a gun just for fun which I did not feel so bad ). This concerns me a lot. I have katanas which can also kill people. This is why I do not allow others to touch them and I store them correctly. It is a right to have a gun and also you will have a big responsibility for having a gun. As long as one knows having a gun means having a huge responsibility then I think it is ok (but a consequence might be a huge one if you do not know what you are doing). Just it makes me mad that some idiots who do not know these responsibilities and play guns to hurt animals and hurt others (accidently or not) just claim their rights to have a gun but not take their responsibilities of their actions.

[choka162]

Be alert^_^ That's the best advice I can give.

And I think a good thing to remember is that the police are your friends^_^ Find out where your local stations are and don't be afraid to call if you see suspicious people. And if your nervous about break-ins, going down to your local station and talking to someone is a good way to find out if there actually have been allot in the neighborhood.

We had some problems over the summer with teenagers breaking into an old building on our property, when we let the police know they made a point to drive by our house when they were on patrol.

Of course we also have 3 big dogs so I don't really worry that much. Well except for the poor soul who tries to break into my house. My german shepherd is just dying to audition for cops^_^

[dude_moose]

And a dog is out of the question - allergies.

Some dogs are hypoallergenic. If you get a dog that has hair not fur, like a poodle mix or something that doesn't shed, it might not bother your allergies. We bought a bichon frise/cairn terrier mix, and my dad has no problems with him, even though he's really allergic to most animals. Something to think about

As far as security goes, we have some stickers still on windows from a security system that my parents had installed (or came with the house, I can't remember) that they no longer subscribe to. We also have a dog, though he's pretty small.

We've had our garage broken into once or twice, but only because we accidentally left the back door unlocked...

[Captain Haddock]

The rather nasty truth is if someone really wants to break into your house in a determined manner there's not really that much you can do about it. Luckily though the average burgler really only wants to hit something that's going to be as easy as possible to get into and away from. If your house has a path up the back of it or it's on a corner of a quiet road then it's likely more at risk. Alarms are good because it will cut down on the time a burgler will want to hang around and dogs are also a good deterant. Guns are obviously only good if your there, but also mean you have to have the resolve to put someone down (perhaps fatally) and moreover face the possiblility that they to are armed (do you really want a gunfight in your own home over a few material possessions?).

[teggacat]

well said CH, I'm happy with my three rottweilers....they kinda freak people out a bit... as far as guns, it is are our Constitutional Right in the USA, to bear arms to protect ourselves and our property, I've grown up around guns all my life and have never shot one or been hurt by one or know anyone to be hurt by one, imagine that...

[Captain Haddock]

I wasn't stating that guns are all bad, or indeed all good, I was just elaborating on what the gun used for home defense would entail from a practical perspective. To put it simply either deter, injur or kill an intruder. There is nothing else beyond that in home defense they could be used for.

[teggacat]

what you stated was excellent CH, I was referring more to earlier comments in this thread on guns, like I said I am happy with my 3 rotties, people think twice about bugging my property, of course it costs a small fortune to feed them....

[graymouser]

Like what has been said before. If someone is determined there is not much you are going to be able to do.

Another obvious precaution is to control the keys. Do not hide keys outside. Even the ones hidden in fake dog droppings, rocks, etc are not a good idea. Along the same lines are gardeners, pet sitters and housecleaning services.

My neighbor had his place robbed a few years ago. The people responsible were his cleaning lady and her boyfriend. They knew his schedule and were able to walk right in using the keys. They then parked their truck in the garage, closed the door and loaded it up. People were later able to describe the truck, but they never called anyone since they thought they were supposed to be there.

[Captain Haddock]

Sorry Uchiha I obviously misread what you were saying, Rotties are nice dogs by the way. I steer clear of taking a positive or negative stance on the issue of gun control principally because I'm not American so feel it's something you guys need to work out for yourselves. Here in the UK we have very strict gun control to the extent that guns are pretty much unobtainable unless your a farmer, hunt or practice target shooting.

[Not Sir Phobos]

The rather nasty truth is if someone really wants to break into your house in a determined manner there's not really that much you can do about it. Luckily though the average burgler really only wants to hit something that's going to be as easy as possible to get into and away from. If your house has a path up the back of it or it's on a corner of a quiet road then it's likely more at risk. Alarms are good because it will cut down on the time a burgler will want to hang around and dogs are also a good deterant. Guns are obviously only good if your there, but also mean you have to have the resolve to put someone down (perhaps fatally) and moreover face the possiblility that they to are armed (do you really want a gunfight in your own home over a few material possessions?).

Which is why I suggested a shotgun. These are the steps taught in self defense class. Anounce you are awake and alert "I hear you, get out of my house!". If they do not leave then rack a shell into the chamber, this makes a loud "CHA CHAK" sound. At this point %99.9 of robbers get the eff out of your house very quickly. The %.01 who stay were not there for the easy VCR anyhow and it's a good thing you are ready to protect yourself because the police are still 5-10 minutes away.

One of my uncles had a son in law living with him that was on probation so he could not have any of his firearms in the house. So he just kept the stock, magazine, slide and foregrip to his shotgun under his bed, it still produced that great anti burgler "CHA CHAK" sound without being able to actually fire a round.

[lcatino]

And a dog is out of the question - allergies.

Some dogs are hypoallergenic. If you get a dog that has hair not fur, like a poodle mix or something that doesn't shed, it might not bother your allergies. We bought a bichon frise/cairn terrier mix, and my dad has no problems with him, even though he's really allergic to most animals. Something to think about

Hmmm... I didn't know there was such a thing as a hypoallergenic dog! That's great to know though. It's actually my hubby with the major dog/cat allergies. Thankfully he's not allergic to my bunny. ^^

Guns are obviously only good if your there, but also mean you have to have the resolve to put someone down (perhaps fatally) and moreover face the possiblility that they to are armed (do you really want a gunfight in your own home over a few material possessions?).

Good point.

And out of curiosity...why farmers?

[blueheaven]

Hmmm... I didn't know there was such a thing as a hypoallergenic dog! That's great to know though. It's actually my hubby with the major dog/cat allergies. Thankfully he's not allergic to my bunny. ^^

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoallerg ... s#Examples

[Captain Haddock]

Well the overt use that farmers have for fireams lcatino is shotguns for pest control (foxes, rabbits, squirels etc). However they also seem to use them for committing suicide. Alongside doctors, dentists and particually vets (for some strange reason, maybe putting fido down all those times takes it's toll!) Farmers seem to be particually prone to it.

[Sylia]

Wow, this thread is nuts...

I will tell you something that will make you laugh: In my town in the UK, the gun shop is next to the funeral parlor. I'm sure the two are not actually related, but there is a certain ironic humour in it

I've grown up around guns all my life and have never shot one or been hurt by one or know anyone to be hurt by one, imagine that...

Wow, where do you live? Sounds nice. In five years of living in the US, I've known at least three people whose lives were badly affected by guns... People mugged at gunpoint as they were going home, people shot at... Even in the UK, where there are far less guns floating around, a guy down my road was threatened at gunpoint outside the post office here. A certain nightclub in the area had such bad problems with shootings that it closed down (was gang/organised crime-related). In fact, the police shooting of an innocent man is a huge topical subject right now on our news. I think you can be lucky and go your whole life without crossing the path of a gun in the wrong person's hands, but if you do, can can indeed be fatal and severly damaging to you... designed as they are to be capable of lacerating the human body.

Actual gun ownership doesn't necessarily put you at more risk or less risk than someone who doesn't own a gun, except insofar that you may be targeted by an individual that wants your gun if they find out you have one. Also, if you point a gun at somebody -whether you are the robber or the er.. robbee- you are basically giving them liscense to try and kill you. You have raised the stakes to the point where the other person now thinks of you as a lethal threat to them. Some people have the flight response, others have the fight response... and you've no way of knowing which if you're being confronted by a crazy person. It's worth bearing that in mind before you bear your arms at someone.

Lol, I am trying so desparatly not to get involved in the gun discussion but I just did. Mostly it's common sensical. I have an opinion on the right and wrong of it all, but... on the other hand it's not like I really have a huge agenda like some. Although... boys getting defensive about their right to have their gun out in their hands make me want to make some jokes in very poor taste XD.

[Sylia]

And now that I've just been as bad as everyone else in contributing towards hijacking this thread away from being about burglary defense in general towards the huge pro/anti gun fight that it's become, I'll move it back to the point and the real reason I bothered to post.

I was burgled two or so years ago. They took all kinds of irreplaceable stuff of immense personal value to me, such as antique jewellery belonging to my family. All the DVDs, games, etc etc. And a FFX Kimahri statue (which was much more easily replaceable, obviously). Pretty much only saved the jewelley I was wearing at the time x.x. I was very hurt, angry, upset and regrettful... and I never recovered any of my sentimental pieces, despite scouring every pawn shop in the city looking for them (I think I just discovered some of the seediest places I've seen are closer to home than you'd ever think). Also, it happened on a day of the year when most people would not have been in.

My recommendation is, get a security system. They can monitor for fire too you know... so... it's an extra protection bonus for your stuff. If something happens, the emergency services are contacted instantly and will be there like lightening. We've seen it in action since I know someone who accidentally triggered theirs... the emergency were there before she'd even gotten off the phone lol. Get a good system- it is worth the small extra expense each month. Also, do keep it on at night even though you are in the house and up. We figured that it was a big enough detterrant and that we were up anyway, and some guy still tried to break into our house in the night earlier this year x.x. They couldn't get in so they tried my neighbour instead and got as far as getting the door stuck on the giant piles of papers he had, then they ran away.

Before worrying about guns or dogs, get yourself a security system. It's easy and hassle free in the long run.

Also, to Ms. Poe... I think you mentioned exactly where you keep your cels? I would move them. This is so public... Better to play it safe.