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What do you do for home security?

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I like those YI cameras. I got two, $99 ones. One watching front of house, one watching back. Has motion detection, will send alert to phone. You can save the video or download it. The cloud service they offer is actually pretty cheap, its only like $9.99 a month i think for 17 days storage.

I don't really "need" them around my area, but its very cool to see when i get delivery to front door if not at home, or when i am at home with headphones on i can see when i get something.
 
IBMJunkman said:
Security:

16 100 watt equivalent CREE LED around house. 25,600 lumens. X10 controlled. On from dusk to dawn.

4 solar powered floodlights along driveway. On dusk to dawn.

1 solar powered floodlight aimed at my flag. 🙂

3 cameras on at all times. Motion activated recording. Covering driveway, front door area and back patio. Last 2 also sound an alarm when triggered.

Intel i5 NUC running Blue Iris video recording software. Video monitor showing 3 cams on when I am up during the day. Another monitor in bedroom on all night.

1911 on nightstand.

Future upgrades to be PoE cams with PoE switch plugged into UPS along with NUC and monitor.
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Dang, you sound pretty paranoid or should be able to afford to a better neighborhood.
 
We have motion sensors and main door sensors connected to central station. Mainly it's more important for nighttime when we're sleeping and we'll know very audibly if someone tries to get in. I work at home so it's not armed during the day. Also a foscam at the door.

cyclohexane said:
Don't live in the ghetto
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You don't have to be in the ghetto for guys who are just looking for a score to get more drugs in lily-white safe suburbia. Happens in the burbs everywhere. Backyard windows unlocked because it's "safe". Some car break-ins too because they're looking for stuff to sell for drug cash.
 
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xaeniac said:
what cameras would one recommend?
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I'm very happy with the Netgear Arlo Q which has been on sale for around $120.
Wireless
Quick and easy setup with my cell phone, no screwing around with wireless router settings
Arlo app which can be triggered with audio, video or both alerts. If someone knocks at the door we get an audio alert.
No separate base unit required, just Arlo Q + wireless router is all you need.
FREE 7 days recording

Basically it was easy to setup and has been reliable so far, happy customer.

There are like 5 different Arlo versions, make sure to buy the one that meets your needs/budget. Google Youtube video reviews.

CostCo.com has 2 pack for $280 and they have a very generous return policy:
https://www.costco.com/Arlo-Q-HD-1080p-Wi-Fi-IP-Monitoring-Camera-2-Pack.product.100282709.html
 
Darwin333 said:
Dang, you sound pretty paranoid or should be able to afford to a better neighborhood.
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Houses on 1 acre lots and road is unlit. There are random crimes like vandalism, larceny, etc in an expanded area. No break in per se. I consider it an extension of situational awareness.
 
xaeniac said:
what cameras would one recommend?
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I use Foscam. The driveway is an outdoor version. The front and back are indoor cams used outdoor. They are up under the eaves so they are protected from rain. The hardest thing is keeping the birds off them.
 
I have a fairly standard alarm system through Protection (now ADT). About $40 something a month. After hearing of lot of break ins and having my car broken into (not that this would solve that) I decided I should get a system before they break into my house/garage too. While violent crime is not that bad here compared to be cities, theft is very bad. People are getting broken into constantly.

I'd like to look into cameras at some point too, and maybe even go DIY route for the alarm system so I can stop paying the fee. I could have the alerts go to my phone, or to a cheaper 3rd party service. But it's nice piece of mind to have a service as they'll send the cops if I'm in a position to not be able to check alerts. like if I go on vacation or something.

People don't tend to break into houses when people are home, so stuff like guns don't work very well unless it's hooked up to a sensor.
 
rh71 said:
You don't have to be in the ghetto for guys who are just looking for a score to get more drugs in lily-white safe suburbia. Happens in the burbs everywhere.
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Exactly right. I live in a semi-rural area on 2.5 acres in a county that at one time had, prior to the auto manufacturer collapse, the third highest per capita income in the nation. My home has been broken into twice. Both times during the day. It's a piece of cake for these guys. Ring the doorbell and if there is no answer in they go. Locks are no deterrent. Neither are alarms. The cops will arrive long after these guys have split. On a curve in the road with no neighbors visible or able to see the front of my home, these guys have little to fear.

Having said that, I have fake cameras outside, a real one inside, an alarm system, a yard sign, window stickers and deadbolts. What all that accomplishes is deterring the dumbest of them. Most of these people are not the brightest. Stealing your stuff is one thing, doing malicious damage can add to the feeling of being violated and that is pretty common. The second time I was broken into these guys made themselves a meal. That's common too.

The smart ones will approach on foot with their vehicle parked a distance away off the property. They will knock, break in and then open a second door to have another way out. They will head first for the master bedroom and ransack it. It's been said the best place to put valuables is in the basement if you have one as these guys don't relish the idea of getting trapped in the home. They like to stay on a level where they have an easy means of escape.

On a side note, if you are given an option for fingerprinting or not, put some thought into it. I had to throw things away because I could not clean whatever it is they use off.
 
hurricane impact windows/doors, cameras around the outside of the house, two very loud great danes, and an assortment of available guns.
 
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