[jet757f]

We keep our house well lit with dusk to dawn lights. My neighbors do me a favor by not keeping their houses well lit. LED lights are so inexpensive to keep on all night. It is worth it!!

Window glass break alarms on all windows. They are little small discs that you can buy on Amazon.

Fake cameras

I plan on putting door alarms.

I have heard a lot of stories about people knocking on doors in broad daylight checking to see if anyone is home. Also strange cars outside of houses with people who don't appear to belong there. They do not seem to concerned whether you are at home or not.

A real camera at the front door might be a good idea too.

[johninvegas]

TO MICHAEL2016--

I know that police stats might seem to suggest that every other house in Las Vegas is broken into. That just isn't the case. I live on a cul-de-sac with about 16 homes on it. We don't have an home owners association, we don't have guards, we don't have a gated community, we are across the street from a park. As far as I know, for as long as we've lived in this neighborhood (12 years) no one on the street has had a break in. We've had some things stolen from yards, but no break ins. I'm sure there are many neighborhoods like ours. Our neighbors include a couple from Iraq, a couple from the Ukraine, a gay couple, an asian lady, several hispanics, and some just plain old Americans. We have a nice neighborhood and everyone looks out for each other.

Sure you should take steps to protect your home, but don't get yourself paranoid about it.

There's an old joke that says, when you and your friend are being chased by a bear, you don't need to outrun the bear, just outrun your friend.

The same thing goes for home protection--In a neighborhood where every home looks like the next, you just need to make your home just a bit more secure than the next. Make your home less inviting, harder to break into, more noise (a dog?), yes, even more dangerous, for the felon. He'll move on to the next house which doesn't have an alarm system, no dogs, no locked doors, etc.

[Michael2016]

Thanks to everyone here for the great insight and information. I really appreciate how helpful everyone here is and how detailed information is provided!

[SportyandMisty]

Originally Posted by johninvegas

... or civil trial (My poor baby was drunk and just went to the wrong door and he kicked it in when the key wouldn't work, he doesn't even own a gun! I'm going to sue you for everything you got!) Will they win? Most likely not, but you'll be out a lot of money!

A $5 Million umbrella liability policy is pretty cheap -- a couple hundred bucks a year. It is not a bad idea to have regardless.

[yellowsnow]

Originally Posted by johninvegas

TO MICHAEL2016--

I know that police stats might seem to suggest that every other house in Las Vegas is broken into. That just isn't the case. I live on a cul-de-sac with about 16 homes on it. We don't have an home owners association, we don't have guards, we don't have a gated community, we are across the street from a park. As far as I know, for as long as we've lived in this neighborhood (12 years) no one on the street has had a break in. We've had some things stolen from yards, but no break ins. I'm sure there are many neighborhoods like ours. Our neighbors include a couple from Iraq, a couple from the Ukraine, a gay couple, an asian lady, several hispanics, and some just plain old Americans. We have a nice neighborhood and everyone looks out for each other.

Sure you should take steps to protect your home, but don't get yourself paranoid about it.

There's an old joke that says, when you and your friend are being chased by a bear, you don't need to outrun the bear, just outrun your friend.

The same thing goes for home protection--In a neighborhood where every home looks like the next, you just need to make your home just a bit more secure than the next. Make your home less inviting, harder to break into, more noise (a dog?), yes, even more dangerous, for the felon. He'll move on to the next house which doesn't have an alarm system, no dogs, no locked doors, etc.

This is the story in my neighborhood too. I was thinking about the guard gated thing and that guy is making $10 or 12 per hour. If I put myself in his shoes, how likely is it that I would be willing to kill or injure someone to protect you or your property? Not likely! Then I thought about it a bit more and decided it would be very possible that he would love to pick up a quick $500 by letting Benny the Burglar know you are out of town for 2 weeks!

[SportyandMisty]

Originally Posted by yellowsnow

This is the story in my neighborhood too. I was thinking about the guard gated thing and that guy is making $10 or 12 per hour. If I put myself in his shoes, how likely is it that I would be willing to kill or injure someone to protect you or your property? Not likely! Then I thought about it a bit more and decided it would be very possible that he would love to pick up a quick $500 by letting Benny the Burglar know you are out of town for 2 weeks!

Ditto for you US Postal Service delivery guy who knows your mail is on hold for 2 weeks.

Double-ditto for the newspaper delivery guy who knows your paper is on hold for 2 weeks.

[yellowsnow]

Originally Posted by SportyandMisty

Ditto for you US Postal Service delivery guy who knows your mail is on hold for 2 weeks.

Double-ditto for the newspaper delivery guy who knows your paper is on hold for 2 weeks.

True!!!!!

[johninvegas]

That's why it's good to have a great neighborhood watch. Since my neighborhood is a cul-de-sac we have a block party every few months. It's a great way to get together and meet any new residents as well as catching up on all the other residents.

[Tek_Freek]

One other thing we do. The TV is on and loud enough to hear when we go out. Simple and effective.

[Crashj007]

Originally Posted by Michael2016

<>Is having a gun in your sleeping room a good idea for defense or could it just increase the chance for a serious escalation?

Using a fire arm is such a permanent solution. Recent idea is to keep a can of wasp/hornet spray by the bed for hitting the intruder. Better range than pepper spray, but pretty nasty getting hit in face. Supposed to not be fatal for other than insects. This way if you hit the wrong person you can call poison control center instead of the medical examiner.