the intruder in that picture isn't looking too threatening... ;)

Please proofread. I'm not trying to be mean, but there are more than the usual number of errors in this post.

I think it's always a good idea to upgrade your lock, and if you have windows that slide open (including the patio) to place a bar in the track to prevent it from being opened.

We've had people try our front door (that was locked) when I was home by myself twice. Scary! We have since installed security cameras by our front door and our back door. We live in Phoenix where the crime rate is not so great :(

Our next step is to get a security door and an alarm.

How about getting a guard dog? We are about to start shopping for a home and after spending a long time on the third floor of a secured apartment building (with a nighttime guard) the idea of being on the ground floor- with lots of windows and doors-freaks me out.
Thank you for all of the tips! I really am considering a very large dog as a family member but wondering if it will really deter people? Anyone have an opinion?

Oh, a cat burglar!

Now that's a true cat burglar. And this may be the first time I have ever typed the word burglar----and I never noticed how weird a word it is. Way more weird than road. ROOO---AAAD. Hopefully that doesn't go over everyone's head.

I lived in an apartment with double keyed deadbolts once, and it kind of freaked me out. What if you misplace the key and there's an emergency? I'd rather risk having stuff stolen than getting locked in my own apartment when there's a fire.

re guard dogs, any dog will deter an intruder, and the yappier the better. But, I wouldn't recommend getting a dog just for that purpose. Get one because you *want* a dog. They're a lot of work, so if all you want is a burglar deterrent, get an alarm. It'll be cheaper and easier in the long run.

The idea about a double key lock doesn't sound like a good idea. What would you do in case of a fire and you needed to get out of the house quickly? Do you really want to be fumbling around with a key? What if you can't get to your house key?

Dogs definitely are a deterrent. A large dog is something of an unknown quantity to a would-be burglar. They may be a total teddy bear, but then again, they might not. They also can make a lot of noise, which can attract attention. Either way, the work/risk level goes up substantially.

Really, any security you think you have is relatively easy to circumvent to someone who wants to. It's a little Machiavellian, but the goal here is to make your place look like more work/risk (or have a lower payoff) than the guy down the street, making it a less appealing target.

I was under the impression that double key locks weren't up to code because of the issue that Joshman brought up. There's one at my sister's house that has the key soldered in for that reason.

Dogs do make a good deterant, but they are a LOT of work (totally worth it IMO) so yeah, don't get one just for that purpose. They deserve better than being chained outside all their lives to bark as needed.

I live on the top (3rd) floor of my building and erroneously thought that occasionally leaving windows unlocked would be no big deal. Well, a burglar came down from the roof via our fire escape one night and stole a laptop, two cameras, DVDs and more.

Lesson here: regardless of what floor you live on, always lock your windows!

double key deadbolts can be dangerous in case of fire or if you need to get out of your house for any reason in a huge hurry (say you discover an intruder already in the house).

I second the dog idea. We had dogs growing up and it was a huge buglar deterant in a bad neighborhood. After ten years we moved; a neighbor told us the house was broken into 3(!) times in only a few months after we left. I'm convinced it was the dog factor.

Housebun, dogs are definitely a deterrent. My parents have a two year old boxer who is practically my sister. She has been just as protective of me as she is of them around strangers. Despite that, one night I came in the front door around 1 when I was staying with them. As soon as I stepped in the door, I heard a low growl, and then a deep, threatening bark, and heard her feet come charging down the tile hall. When she emerged into the living room, I was backed against the door saying, "Ellie it's me!" Her ears were back and she was definitely going to protect first and ask questions later. My mom says she actually sleeps better at night knowing that Ellie is ON IT if someone enters the house. Not to mention, you get a dog. Yay!! Boxers are wonderful, wonderful family pets, get along EXCELLENTLY with children, if you have any, and love being a part of the family. They can be high strung at first, but with patience and sacrifice (mostly of shoes), it's so worth it. Their love for their family also makes them such great guard dogs. I got myself a dog for my house, too, even though I live on the third floor. He's just a little corgi mix who can't do much damage, but I think dogs are more effective than a security alarm. A burglar can ignore an alarm and grab stuff quick, but he can't ignore a dog who knows he's not supposed to be there. Pretty sure my little guy would just sit on the couch and watch the thief carry away my tv, but I feel better having him there at night.

I'd add putting a light on a timer would be a good idea. We have one that we leave on timer constantly in our den. Also, a solar triggered porch light that it goes on and off regardless of where we are. We also try to leave a car in the driveway if we're going to be gone for a few days.

Is the picture your cat getting back in?

Whoops, sorry about the fake link.

my dad is a landlord and got dinged for having a double key deadbolt on one of this apartments. They just asked him to fix it, but one should ask the landlord if they can install it so they aren't mad when the inspectors come.

In addition to the usual "Secured by this alarm system" window decals, and physical security, here's one to add that's ruthlessly effective.

An NRA member decal. Yes, there are ways to get them without joining.

As others have mentioned, criminals are looking to minimize risk while maximizing reward. Most won't dare enter the home in which they think someone might be well-armed, even if the reality is that you're not.

as for the dogs and security system signs. Whenever you see those "Former Thief shows you how unsafe you really are" tv shows, no matter how ferocious the dog might be, they always seem to subdue them in some way. Most times, most dogs are friendly with intruders. And the signs - most know that those signs are either fake OR most people forget to turn on their systems...

joshman--when you're home, you leave a key in the lock on the inside. the locks are only really effective for when no one is at home!

"Lesson here: regardless of what floor you live on, always lock your windows!"

Not much of an issue on the 15th floor.

Re: Double Locks
If you're concerned about keys consider an electronic lock.
http://consumer.schlage.com/door-locks/

However if your door has glass panels or there is a glass panel next to the door - a double-lock is the way to go since all a burglar has to do is to smash the glass, reach in and flip the latch from the inside.

I have been burglarized twice; both times when I lived in a high security building that required everyone to go through about three different security points to get inside. Both times politically correct neighbors let gang members into the garage area and then into the building; the neighbors didn't want to "offend" or "appear bigoted", so they held the doors open for people who clearly didn't live in the property to come on in. Multiple robberies occurred on both occasions. The apartment doors were kicked in. Pretty horrifying to come home to once, but twice was beyond belief.

How did they catch the burglers??

Even Alarms are sometimes not effective - we were burglarized even with an alarm system because they came in through an upstairs bathroom window which wasn't connected to the alarm system - typically the alarm goes off only when doors or ground floor windows are opened/broken.

Many of you may have already heard this, but one preventative measure is to ensure that large boxes from flat-screen televisions, stereos, or other electronic devices aren't visible in your garbage or recycling bin on trash day. You don't want to tip anyone off to the expensive equipment you have in your house.

i have a dummy security camera on my front stoop. i know AT did a post about this one time. that flashing red light works. the neighbor's mailbox hasn't been smashed in since it was installed. :)

Keep your TVs on when you're away. A would-be thief will likely assume that someone is home from the sounds and lights.

@bepsf: I agree about using a double-key lock if you have a window in or near the door. Keep the key near the door in case of an emergency (on a peg, in a drawer, etc), but not close enough to reach from the smashed window.

bepsf, sorry to say, but you're wrong about the 15th floor thing.

I lived on the 18th floor in a dorm room in San Francisco. Given that it was SF, a certain decade, and I was a college student, I had a certain recreational herbal substance in my dorm room that that my neighbor knew about. Although my dorm room was locked and bolted, she shimmied out onto the two foot window ledge (no guard rail, not a balcony, just a window ledge), slid over to my window, opened the window and let herself into my dorm room to help herself to my stash.

Lock your windows, even on the 15th floor.

what about getting some plain old renters insurance? of course lock up and do the best you can to deter thieves, but also consider insurance. it really doesn't cost that much and the extra peace of mind is worth it.

I live in the city on the bottom floor. The first thing I did when I moved in was put up the cling window frosting on the lower windows. I don't have much of a view and this way I get sunlight without anyone seeing stuff.

In response to responses to my question about whether a large guard dog would make a good deterrent to burglars:
We are "dog people" so we wouldn't be adding a dog to our home that wasn't wanted and cared for and we'd never, ever leave a dog tied up in a yard as one person suggested might happen.
I've always had small to tiny dogs in my adulthood (had large dogs as a child and adolescent) and would consider adding a very large dog with guarding instincts (mastiff, great dane, rottweiller, etc) because 1. I want one, and 2. would really like the added protection one might bring.
I have had two friends (it hurts me to even write this) that have had their beloved little yappers beaten to a pulp by intruders so I don't really think that my little yappers would be great protection or deterrents. Hence the LARGE dog question.
I think I would feel better knowing there was a large dog at home with me or waiting for me when we move to the ground floor. Sounds like most people on here do believe it would be a deterrent-was just wondering if it is a false sense of safety. Thank you for all the info. I like what qhartman said about just making your house the least attractive to rob!
I'm also thinking of planting spikey plants (agave?) under our windows :)

The only mugging that has taken place in my apt building since I've lived there happened because someone held the door open for someone they did not know. I don't care if it's rude, I'll let the door slam on anyone now!

a few things- watch the foliage and plantings around windows- if there are hedges people can hide there when they break in. Don't open your door to anyone you don't know. Always lock the door from your garage to your home. An awful lot of automatic garage door openers are universal- they open more than just your door. A local tv station did a report with the reporters opener- they drove down a random street and opened almost 20% of the doors!

Someone jiggled my doorknob once when I was home alone. I called the police just to report it (wasn't even sure I should) and they sent out a car to interview me- they take these things seriously- even in the country.
Turns out a pair of guys was doing exactly what was said above- checking doors to see if they could get in. When they couldn't they left.

housebun you bring up a good point about landscaping. one of the better deterrents is suitable landscaping. although we all like our privacy a large hedge is a nice visual barrier to hide behind! on my LA exam one of the questions pertained to plantings adjacent to walkways and saftey concerns. and I think you might have said it tongue in cheek but thorns do have a place in certain situations. some of the better foundation plantings are multi-leveled. prickly on the gound plan open in the middle with leaves on the top.

I grew up in Detroit and we always left the radio on when we went out, tuned to a "talk" station like NPR. I think the TV would waste a lot more electricity.

We live in a "ghetto" neighborhood in Seattle (which looks like a "nice middle class" neighborhood in any other major city but there is a high rate of burglary around here) and my boyfriend has some guns, but we have always been afraid that any "This house protected by Smith and Wesson" sticker would prompt people to want to steal the guns!

I think the best and quickest deterrent - timers for lamps - I usually have one in the living room and hall lamp (that stays on very late). Chimes.. I have small wind chimes on the front and back doorknobs - I can hear somebody coming in.

One last word of caution about double key deadbolts: many children and older people have more trouble grasping and turning a key than they do a traditional deadbolt knob. So even with a key left in the inside lock, they can still be dangerous in case of fire. If you decide to go this route, make sure everyone in your household knows how/is able to turn the key.

We use pretty much every anti-theft device mentioned: locked windows and doors, frosted glass on the windows that face the street, an alarm system, a barking (but not attacking) dog, and friendly neighbors who look out for us. Funnily enough, we probably wouldn't have bothered activating the alarm system (it was already installed when we moved in) if it weren't for the dog - we like knowing that if there's a fire or other emergency while we're out, we'd have a better chance of finding out quickly and rescuing her. And I don't know if this is true of all modern alarm systems, but ours is so painfully loud that it's impossible (for me, at least) to stay in the apartment while it's going off, so that's an added deterrent.

If you DO buy a big fancy flatscreen/computer/expensive equipment, DON'T throw the box away on the curb for everyone to see! If the burglars KNOW you just bought a big fancy new XYZ, they will be more likely to target your home.

I just have to say I love this picture. That cat can break into my apartment anytime. I'll actually leave the window open to make it easier for him.

i've considered this: http://www.hammacher.com/Product/77933?refsku=76346&xsp=3&promo=xsells since i am SO not a dog person.
the same catologue/website also sells a tv simulator (basically a fancy light to look like a tv is on at night) and a panning faux security camera.

my neighbourhood is pretty quiet, but it's full of big, fancy houses that are home to empty-nesters...it worries me.

The kitty is really cute, but getting broken into (or just having someone enter and steal your stuff) is awful. It is your personal sense of security.

I was a Public Defender for many years and often represented burglars -- and they did avoid dogs, even the noisy little ones, as they did not want to be discovered in the act...

So if you like/love dogs, that would be the best, IMHO.

Be careful no matter where you live- we were burglarized when we lived in student housing during grad school. The burglars targeted student housing and dorms during Thanksgiving break, when they knew students would be away. Of course they scored prime stuff like stereo equipment, computers, and jewelry. When we arrived home, we found that they had pulled the deadbolt right out of the door.

We had a couple attempts when I was growing up in Philadelphia; our dog didn't bark much, so people would try the door and THEN realize. It never got beyond scratching at the door, though, because then they'd become aware of the 110 lb. Akita silently watching (and he DID guard, just not bark) and they'd leave.

My parents' current dog is a lovebug, but she doesn't do diddly for home protection. A loving pitbull is basically a marshmallow with feet. I do wish they'd get her a buddy who'd actually bark at the door.

As far as the double-keyed deadbolts go, they sell models that have an inner "key" that slides in and looks like a standard deadbolt lock for ease of use. You can just pull the key out and place it out of reach of any nearby windows when you leave the house. I think they should be easier to use than an actual key but still give you the added safety of knowing someone can't easily reach in through a window and flip the bolt.

I'm not sure I'd recommend adding an NRA sticker, whether you own guns or not. As AlyCatNat said, it could just alert people that your house is worth robbing for the guns alone. I know people that this has happened to. Some thieves might be deterred but others think of how valuable those guns could be for them.

I'm in favor of the guard dog option since I love mine!

I agree with jick regarding renters insurance. I had my apartment broken into in St. Louis (smashed in several doors in the process). While it takes a while to get rid of the feeling of being violated, at least the insurance helps get your stuff replaced. It's cheap and definitely worth it.

Regarding the double key deadbolts - My parents use one and we've never worried about getting locked in during an emergency because it's only locked when no one is home. That would be practical for those considering that kind of deadbolt. And when you *are* home, just make sure you always lock the door behind you when you come inside, every time. It might be a bit inconvenient if you are going in and out, but if you get distracted while inside, at least the door will be locked. I do this even when just doing laundry, starting the washer and then running in to get dirty clothes from bedrooms and such, or collecting clean laundry when switching loads (washer & dryer are out on the back patio). When I get home, I always make sure I turn the key to lock the doorknob after I open the door but before I pull the key out. That way it's locked without any extra steps. I think it's a good habit to have.

I'm in a basement apt., last building on a dead end street with a park outside my door. The first floor neighbors have been broken into three times. My dog Nora is much louder than her size warrants and she pokes her head past the curtains to prove she's not kidding. In reality anyone who came in would be met with good spirits but no one bothers to get that far.

I don't like the idea of guard dogs because a) the training is often and usually very shoddy and b) training a loving creature to be aggressive just so one can protect stuff is way off my compass. But if you love dogs and would enjoy the company then I think they are a much nicer solution to alarms. Also, a lot of jurisdictions are now charging a hefty fee for false alarms. There are numerous window and door locks recommended to protect property. The mantra of every article I've ever read is that the longer it takes to get in the less likely you will be burgled. No place is burglery proof, not even museums. All you can do is be smart and make it very hard, or look like it's going to be harder than your neighbor.

This is exactly what happened to me 3 weeks ago! The people who broke in took my wii, laptop, other video game stuff, and my ipod. thats about it. My cat got out, but luckily stayed by our house. Small stealin world.

*peace* of mind
NOT
*piece* of mind

I am glad to see that twmegee had insurance....but when our now former house was broken into ....we got violated by the criminals actions...then by the insurance company and then by the justice system. That took some getting over.

When I went to sell my house, the first buyer who put the house under contract freaked out when she looked at crime statistics, which showed several area home burglaries including 2 on my block. I never had anything stolen and always thought it was because of my dogs: My Schnauzer mix with excellent hearing is the first responder and my Lab mix is the enforcer. The only problems I had were some incidents with a mentally ill man as well as a separate home invasion suspect. Both were very quick to leave once they saw and heard my Lab mix get riled. He's not a guard dog by training, but he has a bark that's disproportionately loud compared to his size and he's not afraid to show teeth when he senses something's wrong.

If you like dogs and want one for companionship, they do come with the added benefit of being a deterrent to burglars, if only by making your house less attractive than your cat-owning neighbor's home.

i can't get past the photo

Laure - I'm so sorry to hear about the break in. What a horrible thing to happen and especially just after you've moved in! I hope you are ok. It takes a while to get over the feeling of being violated and feel safe again but hopefully you can move passed that and make this place your home. Good luck!

Get an alarm! If your alarm (that you didn't have) had been on it would have gone off when the back door was opened, even if you had forgotten to lock it.

And also alarm any upstairs windows - I have my upstairs windows wired for pressure only, so you can open the bathroom window without the alarm going off (as long as you don't bang it). Downstairs all the doors and windows have pressure alarms and also contact alarms, so if they are either opened or smashed the alarm will go off.

Incidentally, if you install an alarm you'll probably save on your insurance as it does make your house less likely to be burgled. And of course you're less likely to be burgled.

Unfortunately, my city is experiencing a wee spike in crime at the moment. The flip side to that is all our neighbors talk to each other about how they got in/what works as a deterrent/ how to make your place safer. I feel like I could write a book on this subject.
The double locks: They may not be legal, but they are invaluable on doors with glass panels, so the perp can't just smash out a pane and open your door.
Dogs: In my neighborhood, the perps are known to carry tasers to deal with dogs. They are not the least bit of a deterrent.
Doors: Look into something called a Strikemaster. This is a solid steel panel that installs into your doorframe with 3" screws and really helps keep your door from getting kicked in.
Windows: Get pins. Or, for the economy version, drill a hole and insert a long nail or screw through both panes so the window cannot be opened.
And the most important tip:
Get to know your neighbors so that they are more likely to know when someone who shouldn't be there is poking around your place.
Good luck, and glad they caught your guys!

@housebun: I used to have a german shepard that was trained as a guard dog. He used to lay in front of the door and jump up high enough to touch the ceiling and bark whenever someone came to the door. He also wouldn't let anyone in unless he saw someone invite them in. lol He kept a lot of people away. Even though he was perfectly friendly to everyone he was also perfectly terrifying to everyone who wasn't expecting him. So yes, it was effective, but it really depends how to person feels about dogs to begin with, I think. If they're used to being around big dogs, they're probably not going to be afraid.

In my neighborhood, having a house that does NOT back up to an alley is the best deterrent. There's no easy access to the backyard or the back door, and no way to carry things out the back.

We also have a double lock on our front door. It's definitely against code, but we keep the key near the door (but not close enough to reach if you break the small glass window on the front door).

Re: BepSF's comment---

That's the kind of lock that we upgraded to. You can use a key or the code, which will lockdown after 6 failed attempts.
We also replaced the core with a Primus core, which is bump-proof. This lock has been great, it's got 3 inches bolts that go into the frame, so the door is locked tight.
We're installing a security door on top of this with another Primus lock.

Kids died near here because they were locked IN the house with a double lock. The parents took the key when they went out and the kids were cooking and a fire started. I know that is bad parenting, but if it was a regular lock, they could have gotten out. They ended up screaming from a widow in the attic because the windows were all nailed shut too, to keep burglars out and keep the teenagers in. Smoke inhalation got them.

Why risk someones life with a double lock when a burglar can get in if they really want to?

Most dogs are basically friendly. They may bark and growl, but won't bite. If they do bite, your home insurance will be through the roof.

Actual trained guard dogs usually need someone to give them a command. They don't just decide on their own what to do.

For home "protection" I would go with a yappy dog to alert and wake up the big dog.

If you're in a small place but want a dog for a deterrent, you might want to consider a Corgi. They are territorial and have much deeper voices than one would expect from their medium-small size. As with all doggie decisions, study up on the breed, consider adopting a rescue, etc.

My neighbours had a really interesting alarm. It sounded like a dog barking. The trouble was, it was a little too sensitive to noise and movement and "barked" every time a plane flew over! It took me ages to realise what it was and that they didn't actually have a dog. However, the bark sounded like that of a dog that could hardly wait to bite a chunk out of someone's leg. They eventually got a more conventional alarm.

My apartment got broken into once when I was a single mom of my 9 month old son. I came home and someone had crowbarred my door open. Actually, it was on the 3rd floor above a shop. I found my cats sitting on the bottom stoop, and as soon as I saw them I knew something was up. I dropped my son off with the neighbors and went up to my apartment to find the door demolished. The creepy thing was, the only things stolen were ALL my underwear and bras. That was IT. Left the dvd player, tv, laptop. VERY spooky feeling. This was a SMALL town of about 900 people. I called the police, who came and did their investigation. I had a friend stay with me for a few days because I was SPOOKED. He left after 4 days, and the next day it happened again. This time, it was just that someone had wrecked my apartment with spray paint and smashed in my electronics.
A dog was NOT an option for me then. It ended up with the cops sitting at the bottom of my stairs for 2 weeks keeping an eye on us. After those 2 weeks I felt SO freaked out I moved. I couldn't sleep, couldn't come home without panicking.
I moved to a city of 80thou ppl, and never had any issues at all.
Now, we have 2 dogs- a Black Lab who would show you where the valuables are if you're a burglar. Our Chocolate Lab, Tootsie, is another story. You do NOT come in the house if she doesn't know who you are, until we tell her it's okay. She throws herself against the front door like a freight train. A few times hubbs has come home from a night shift and Tootsie goes bonkers. I must admit, it's nice knowing that NOBODY unfamiliar is getting into this house without us knowing or when we're not home. She makes me feel a lot more comfortable being at home alone with the kids.