We have a friend who is a recent widow. First thing she did was get a home security system - which she does not undersand, has accidentally set it off being in her own home, and now has it turned off. Then she recently got a notice from the sheriff's office that she is not in compliance and could face a $500 fine for not having registered 3 people with them that have keys to her home. I wouldn't want other people having keys to my house - for whatever reason!!
I do get concerned about security at times - there's been some recent break-in in our area. No matter what a person does - a house can get broken into. Even hurricane shutters are attached from the outside and could easily be taken down.
posted by joy333
over 2 years ago
I have two dogs who are my early warning system and I lock my gate to the back garden and the doors when I leave. I heard that the door from the garage into the house is important to lock so I do that. I also know my neighbors and we keep an eye on each others houses. Besides that...a security system is hard to have with pets who jump around and would likely set it off.
I keep all my doors and windows locked and I have a dog who will warn me. At night I keep my blinds closed so people can't see in to know what I am doing. I always leave a light on when I go out. A different one so that it isn't the same light on. I don't follow a schedule, like I don't go for the paper or groceries at the same time every day because if someone knows your schedule then they know when to break in. I also have a gun for protection and know how to us it.
I have lived in my house for almost 18 years. Several years ago for some reason my door stopped locking and I think I lost the key anyway.....haven't seen it in a long time. Hence the door was never locked when either my son or I would leave the house. Never had any problem but I also live about 200 feet off the road.....could work both ways for breaking in. At nite I put the safty chain on and I have big sleight bells on the foront door also. About 2 years ago, we got a dog and he is also my early warning system. Recently my son took the door off it's hinges and rehung it and now the lock is aleigned again. Stil can't find the key though! I have never felt scarded to be here by myself or not. What is to be will be.
I live in small town America so don't worry too much. I do lock my doors at night and when I leave. There is a bright street light close to my house which could deter anyone wanting to break in. I have no alarm system.
when we built this house, 10 or so years ago, we had keys to the doors. i think they may be at my dads, or maybe got thrown out. no clue actually. i have never locked a door, or a car. i leave my keys in the car at night, this way i dont loose them. now everyone is saying im crazy, but i live in the country now.
but i lived in manhattan for 5 years, we had 3 deadbolts on the door. and they gave me the keys. im guessing i threw them somewhere in the house. never did use them. the entire building was robbed one day, except my apartment. the cops theorized, when they found the door open, they got suspicious and ran out. how funny is that? the cops thought i was crazy.
i left my keys in my car in trenton, on the street. van was still there when i got back.
so no, i dont have a security system. unless you include the cats.
I live alone for last 14yrs and don't feel safe at all these days.I checked security systems but instead found a beautiful one yr old dog he was abandoned and starving he is a mixed breed the shelter fee was $60.00 total.He is protective and goes out brings in my paper and my mail he is super smart and loves having a home with me.I feel safer and he doesn't bark or make messes ,the work is quite alot for a person 76yrs old but he seems to understand that I am slower than younger person I talk to him he listens very loving.He would of made a perfect service dog.Wish knew how to include a picture of him took some on my cell phone don't understand how to post pictures. Thanks for listening."Have a happy Thanksgiving day".
posted by Irisfl
over 2 years ago
I selected an apartment building with a security entrance. It's not fool proof because people hold open doors for others all the time (me too), but it probably works better than not. I didn't want an apartment where my door opens directly to the outside. Once I'm home, I often leave my door open when I'm going to other places inside the building, like the laundry room, and sometimes I find in the morning that my door has been unlocked all night long. As far as I know we haven't had any robberies of apartments, but a couple of years ago a resident knocked over a vending machine. After that they put security cameras in the public areas.including the elevators.
