Need suggestions...

[MikeMike]

So next year, I am moving from my current house, to another house in which myself and 3 roomates will be living for the upcoming college year... the house location isnt the greatest neighborhood, but no where around here is...

anyways, I am trying to plan how to make the house more secure, via locks, and deadbolts, and what not... We also want to make our own rooms more safe, as well as one specific spare room in which my tv will be placed, along with other things such as a 360, etc...

What i am looking for are suggestions on deadbolts which wont run us hundreds of dollars, but something nice and useful.. as well as some suggestions for interior door locks and possibly a deadbolt or two... also, any suggestions on how to bulk up the security of the doors on a room or two including the possibility of increasing the strength of the door?

thanks guys

 

[IronWing]

Outdoor lighting is the first layer of security.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: ironwing
Outdoor lighting is the first layer of security.

thats nothing i didnt know... outdoor lighting will be taken care of, and most of the windows will be dark where the valuables are... so its not easy to just look in and see what is there...

we very possibly will install some window bump stops too so they wont open all the way, but there is a large window in the front room.

 

[Brainonska511]

Are you renting? You may not be allowed to add extra locks if that's the case or you might have to get the landlord on board.

For the windows - how about internal window bars?

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
Are you renting? You may not be allowed to add extra locks if that's the case or you might have to get the landlord on board.

For the windows - how about internal window bars?

most landlords don't care about us putting our own locks on the house, they just arent allowed to put locks on the inside of a house themselves.

while i do feel outside door locks may not be allowed, we are for sure doing interior locks no matter what...

are you talking steel bars on the outside? i dont want the house to look like fort knox from the outside, and external window bars arent the best... the sound of shattering glass is pretty loud, and lots of exterior lights should deter people from really coming up as they would be to visible...

 

[dbk]

How about renter's insurance? I paid $100 for a year back when I was in school.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: dbk
How about renter's insurance? I paid $100 for a year back when I was in school.

oh, we will have it... but that still doesnt stop the fact that my 42" plasma is worth nothing compared to when i bought it... nor the mental trauma knowing your stuff got stolen... etc...

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
Are you renting? You may not be allowed to add extra locks if that's the case or you might have to get the landlord on board.

For the windows - how about internal window bars?

most landlords don't care about us putting our own locks on the house, they just arent allowed to put locks on the inside of a house themselves.

while i do feel outside door locks may not be allowed, we are for sure doing interior locks no matter what...

are you talking steel bars on the outside? i dont want the house to look like fort knox from the outside, and external window bars arent the best... the sound of shattering glass is pretty loud, and lots of exterior lights should deter people from really coming up as they would be to visible...

I'm saying put steel bars on the inside of the window, so it won't look like a prison at first glance. At least, that's how I see many ground floor apartments in my area set up - steel bars just inside the windows.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Get a dog

 

[dbk]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: dbk
How about renter's insurance? I paid $100 for a year back when I was in school.

oh, we will have it... but that still doesnt stop the fact that my 42" plasma is worth nothing compared to when i bought it... nor the mental trauma knowing your stuff got stolen... etc...

Also consider how many hours the house will be completely empty - with 4 people it can't be too often, right?
I don't know what else besides the things already mentioned.
I went to school in a college town - I guess it could be much different if you go to school in a city.
GL

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: dbk

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: dbk
How about renter's insurance? I paid $100 for a year back when I was in school.

oh, we will have it... but that still doesnt stop the fact that my 42" plasma is worth nothing compared to when i bought it... nor the mental trauma knowing your stuff got stolen... etc...

Also consider how many hours the house will be completely empty - with 4 people it can't be too often, right?
I don't know what else besides the things already mentioned.
I went to school in a college town - I guess it could be much different if you go to school in a city.
GL

the house normally wont be empty, but we do have to worry about say, spring break, xmas time, etc... those are when people typically get broken into as the locals know that the college kids leave... its in toledo ohio, and the school is not in the best location.

 

[MikeMike]

up

 

[JDMnAR1]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: dbk
How about renter's insurance? I paid $100 for a year back when I was in school.

oh, we will have it... but that still doesnt stop the fact that my 42" plasma is worth nothing compared to when i bought it... nor the mental trauma knowing your stuff got stolen... etc...

Look into renter's insurance with a replacement cost stipulation, not depreciated purchase price.

As far as locks on interior doors, you don't really gain much by putting a beefy lock in what is no doubt a hollow-core door. If they want in, a good kick to one of those doors will get them through, deadbolt or no. If your outer security measures have already been breached, your best hope is that they are in a hurry and just looking for whatever then can grab quickly, in which case any decent keyed lock should be enough of a deterrent.

 

[se7en]

Outside security lights would be a must first off. Second I would try buying one of those DIY security camera kits from x2 or something which have several options to choose from. I bought one years ago and it works great with my little monitor I have it hooked up to. You can get b&w to save $$ or get as fancy as you like for not a lot upfront.

I've been happy with mine but I cant say its honestly prevented anything just gives me a little peace of mind.

 

[Ns1]

At one point in time, I had a chain wrapped around my 32" LCD, which was connected to my desk AND my bed with 2 master locks.

I miss college.