Comments on: Home Invasion: Preventative Security Layers to Protect the Home

By: Robert McFarlin

Robert McFarlin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:29:03 +0000

The real problem is they way American homes are built. I recently spent several years working overseas where the house are built largely of cement, the doors are reinforced steel with bolts in 3 edges, like bank vaults. Windows usually have serious bars at least on first floor. In short, very, very difficult to break into. In comparison, American houses are cheap pieces of junk. A child can kick in most American doors. The windows might as well be cardboard. It’s a joke. Build your houses like a fortress!

By: Tess Pennington

Tess Pennington — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:46:06 +0000

@Issington,

Thank you kindly for your first comment. It was a great contribution to the conversation and I believe that many readers will benefit from it.

As for the second comment - seriously? I don’t believe the name calling was necessary, but if it makes you feel better to throw insults out at people, feel free buddy!

Tess

By: Issington

Issington — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:27:00 +0000

You censored my comment. Can’t possibly be a good idea if you didn’t think of it. No matter that thousands of banks and jewelry stores use that security film. But our hero Tessie doesn’t like someone bringing it up. You really can’t stand anyone who has a point of view different from yours. You are one totalitarian life support system for a ****. Some people such as yourself who’ve lead sheltered lives can’t handle life’s hard truths. Go ahead and depend on thorn bushes and firearms (which I guarantee you don’t know how to use) locked in a safe.

You can ignore reality. You can’t ignore the consequences of ignoring reality. The fact is you need to wake the **** up to reality or you won’t make it.

* Portions of this comment was edited for explicit language.

By: john bear

john bear — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:51:23 +0000

Good advice for home dwellers but part one cannot beaplied to apartment dwellers because of the restrictions imposted by the landlord.

By: charlie

charlie — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:43:55 +0000

It is interesting to see people that are almost pavlovian in response to the doorbell and the telephone ring. I see people just jump and answer without even thinking. I believe this is a throwback to the 50′s and 60′s where everybody was trusting, and there were safe neighborhoods, and no pesky phone solicitors. We never answer the phone or the door. This is the new norm. It is the safe way to do things, plus with cellphones, text, email, voicemail – there is no reason whatsoever to not know when someone is coming over. We have an 8 foot fence surrounding all of our house except one front window that has bars as well as tinting so no one can see in. If someone rings our doorbell we simply go to the window to see, and if no idea who they are we don’t answer. Safe and sound.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:15:06 +0000

I agree, fortification of the home, pyracanthas near the windows and alarms are a big part of the prevention plan.

Remember, phone lines can often be cut (as in a Stockton home invasion that resulted in the murder of two children).

IMO, the gun should be carried on the individual while in the home. Watch the YouTube of a homeowner with a CCW who left his gun in another room when a home invasion occurred. The thugs had guns drawn, pistol whipped him and executed him and his two female companions in front of his own video surveillance equipment. The video was used to convict the two gangbangers, but that is little consolation to the victims and their families.

Police are historians, detectives, AFTER the fact. They have no obligation to respond in a timely manner to protect your family.

I have been involved with the Filipino Martial Arts, which starts with weapons and applies the principles to empty hands. Using a towel, article of clothing, knife, stick, garden tool, or even a small piece of furniture is better than bare hands when dealing with multiple invaders. A trained firearm user is often the best option.

By: detroitjoe

detroitjoe — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:16:19 +0000

this is a great article and very practical, but remember if you are in a situation where somebody is coming into your home, if you can slow them down enough with physical security layers, long enough to grab the 12 gauge, you might end up making it... http://abcnews.go.com/US/okla-woman-shoots-kills-intruder911-operators-shoot/story?id=15285605

By: detroitjoe

detroitjoe — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:13:47 +0000

@mary

remember the blackout of 2003, no electricity and no phones… the reality is, you need a gun and you absolutely need to know how to use it, you and every member of your family….

By: 230therapy

230therapy — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:52:49 +0000

“If a gun is in the home, have it locked up or put away so that smaller children do not try to use it.”
The gun needs to be on your belt, not stuck in a safe (even an easy access one). These things go really, really fast and our reactions must be equally fast. If the gun is located across the house, most people are not likely to reach it in time. If the criminals are stealthy, then it’s even worse; the fight is on right there.
There is no reason for them to enter the property while someone is present. They can easily wait until the occupants leave. Therefore, the violence started as soon as the criminals decided to break into your home armed. There is only the amount of delay and they amp themselves up for the event. It’s very easy for them to go from “thief mode” to murder mode on the power trip.
Carry a gun at home and harden the building.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:01:41 +0000

Buy a gun and know how to use it and don’t put it in a gun safe. Show everyone in the household how to use it. A gun makes unequals, equal.