Home Security and You

Home Security and You

Non-profit and free for redistribution
Written on November 3rd | 2015
Published on November 4th | 2015

For entertainment and research purposes only

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DISCLAIMER:
The Paranoid's Bible and its writers hold
no responsibility for the acts of others.

The Paranoid’s Bible is for research and
entertainment purposes only.

Please visit our blog for more PDFs and information: https://www.paranoidsbible.tumblr.com/

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Contents
DISCLAIMER:	2
PREFACE	4
Home Security and You	5
Assess the situation	6
The Criminal Element	7
How a Mark is Chosen	8
Securing points of entry	10
Your Property, Your Rights	15
Your Home, Your Rules	17
Afterword	19

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PREFACE

The who:
People that have decided to combine their resources to create a repository of information.

The what:
Home security and loss prevention.

The where:
Your property.

The why:
To give people the knowledge to keep themselves and their property safe.

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Home Security and You

Home security isn’t just about locking your doors and advertising that you may have an alarm system. No. It’s far more than that, however locking your doors and advertising an alarm system is a good start. The thing is that criminal behavior isn’t exactly as you see it on TV or the movies, nor is it quite dead considering the lower and lower crime rates around the West, especially the US.

Nowadays with neighborhood associations and the ever looming potential for a ‘Shit Hit The Fan’ (SHTF) scenario, you need to take not only the state and city laws into consideration but also the fascist-like behavior of a neighborhood association and strike a balance amongst privacy, security and aesthetic appeal.

Aesthetics may be the latest societal contagion amongst millennials (due to the belief that looks somehow equates betterment or performance) but it does serve its purpose with making it look like you’re not worth robbing or murdering for some baubles and knick-knacks.

The entire purpose of this testament is to help you not only secure your home and maintain privacy, but also strike a balance between overall curb appeal and home security.

You may not think curb appeal matters, but if you ever need to sell your home or stay within your current abode for a prolonged period of time… it pays to have something nice looking to wait out the SHTF situation or simply having to live amongst those you dislike.

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Assess the situation

Before you can even begin to think about how to secure your home you’ll need to ask yourself a series of questions to better understand not only your needs but also what requirements your city, state, country and possibly even the home or neighbor association wants met.

The Questions:
• What is the demographic in my area?
• Are the people lower, middle or higher income?
• What permits must I get?
• Am I allowed to defend myself and\or my property when threatened?
• What are the gun laws in my area?
• Are certain breeds of dogs prohibited?
• Is there an association that controls certain aspects of the area I live in?
• Do I know anyone who does drugs?
• Do I know anyone that has ever committed a crime?
• Do I know someone whose friends or relatives to someone who has done drugs or committed a crime?
• Am I a friend or relative to someone who has done drugs or committed a crime?

The reason we ask you to ask yourself these questions is due to the simple fact that not everything you can do would be considered legal or at least within reason. Some associations or laws will limit your use of force or how high one can build a fence or even if one can own a specific breed of dog or not.

Some people, depending on the current situation with race relations and/or the political playing field, may not take too kindly to you fixing up and improving your home. Some may simply dislike the fact that you’re a new face in the area and distrust you.

Certain areas and classes tend to be safer than others, while simply being in a suburb may put you on the list of houses to get robbed.

Even having partaken in drugs, a crime, or knowing someone who has done so can increase your risk at being robbed, or worse.

No matter what, you need to know your laws, know your rights, and know what specifically you can do to your property in order to protect yourself.

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The Criminal Element

Most of your ‘Professional’ criminals strike during the day and not at night. The criminal element that operates at night usually consist of amateurs, gangs, drug addicts, people looking for thrills, or minors—your true blue criminal who knows a thing or two will strike during the day, usually around 9AM when people are at work or school.

Real professionals don’t want to hurt you, your family or your animals, and they’re usually more afraid of you then you are of them.

These true criminals will spend weeks to months scouting out an area. They’ll operate in middle class to upper class areas. They’ll look the part of a sale representative or someone simply visiting. They look for clues and tells of whether you’re home or not, like for instance if your car is parked outside your garage and what type of car you drive. They’ll monitor Facebook feeds, use Google Maps (among others), tap into your phone lines or simply try to pick up the same frequency as your handheld phone, your child’s walkie-talkie or a baby monitor.

They appear friendly, don’t look criminal, and even will talk to your kids and the people around your neighborhood. They can even be working for a legitimate business like construction, lawn care, or simply appear to be selling magazines or some sort of service.

The entire point is they don’t look like a part of the criminal element and they know what to do, how to do it, and appear not to be doing anything out of the ordinary at all.

They know you, your family and your schedule and can use today’s technology, besides social networking, to help themselves to your belongings.

They want to be in, out and not draw attention to themselves.

So that means you need to take the proper precautions, have your security in layers, and learn how to minimize your losses as you can’t fully prevent loss.

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How a Mark is Chosen

Some crimes and robberies may be random, yet that shouldn’t make you think it isn’t any less important to be quite prejudice with those you associate with. We’re not talking outright bigotry or racism, mind you, however we do mean learning that location not only matters but also how you, yourself act and how you care for your property.

A lot of criminals, professional or not, look for several key factors before they mark a house to be hit. The below is only but a few of the items they possibly look for before choosing if a house is worth the risk or not. Some questions that they may ask themselves are below:

Familiarity with the target(s) and their property:
• Is it occupied?
> If so, what is the number of occupants?
> Do they have pets?
• If not, are they moving in or out?
> Is the house completely empty?
> Is it being remodeled?
> Are people there working or picking up belongings?
• Have I ever been within the house?
• Do I know these people?
• Have I conversed with them before?
• Do their pets know me?
• Can I gain entry again through previous interactions?
• Do they have weapons that can be used against me?
• What are their personal attributes (sex, gender, sexuality, religious and political beliefs…etc)
• Is the house vacant for extended periods
• Is the house routinely empty during the day
• Are the occupants new?
• Are the occupants young or old?
• Is it a house with college kids or not?

How convenient is the location:
• Is the house in a high crime area?
• Are there already potential offenders nearby?
• Is the house near a major thoroughfare?
• Is the house near an artery street/road?
• Is the house on the outskirt of the area?
• Has the house been burglarized before?
• Have other houses within the area been burglarized before?

How good is the house’s Visibility:
• Can I be seen from afar?
• Can the neighbors see me?
• Can I see the house from afar?
• Can I see the house on Google maps?
• If I survey the house, will people see and question me?

Accessibility:
• Are the house’s plans online?
• How many windows and doors do they have?
• Do they lock the garage?
• Is the garage attached?
• Are there decks or trees I can use to gain access?
• Is there a basement?
• Are the basement windows secured?
• Do they have a security system?
• What kind of cover exists around the house?
• Is it secluded?
• How good is the lighting around the house (A lot of people will avoid robbing a house with light on)?
• Is the house on a corner lot?
• Is the house designed with concealing architecture?
• Is it next to the alley?
• Is the house old?
• Are entry points (windows and doors) showing sign of decay or disrepair?
• Are the occupants careless about security procedure?
• Does the house have any security devices that I can see?
• Houses displaying signs of wealth (expensive items, decorations, boxes and packaging of high-end items)
• Do they have a security system?

Potential rewards:
• Are they wealthy?
• Do they live a comfortable lifestyle?
• Do they have items I can gain without going too far into the house?
• Do they have a safe?
• Do they encrypt and password protect their electronics?
• Would they use trackers on any of their property?
• Is the risk worth it?
• How quick can I sell off the loot?

As you can see, just from guesswork alone, if someone were to rob a house and ask themselves these questions… they’d cut their risk, a lot, while increasing yours. It’ll be easier to break in and rob an elderly couple or someone new in the area than a young couple or some college house that has been in the area for awhile. It’d also be easier to take advantage of and possibly worse of a woman than a man.

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Securing points of entry

This chapter is dedicated to explaining what you can possibly do to your doors, windows and garage. These three areas are the most common and should be the only real possible points of entry to your home. Everything here should be taken into consideration before being applied to anything.

Laws and neighborhood associations aside, having a fortress of freedom in the middle of suburbia may increase yours odd to be investigated or robbed than lessen them. Always think and assess before doing any of the suggestions below. Not all doors or windows will need the same level of security as the others, whereas some will need something much more drastic.

Bars in the middle of a suburb will look out of place and give people a reason to question you and your motives. This doesn’t mean you can’t outfit some frames and pre-installed brackets and sockets, just in case.

Be aware you’ll run into some suggestions for windows, doors or the garage already suggested on another list within this chapter.

The door:
The door will always be the main point of entry, if possible, for any criminal element. Especially if the door is out of sight or is the least visible point of entry. They would rather go through a door than try to force a window and draw possible attention to themselves or cause more noise than necessary.

• The money is worth the initial investment
• All tips should be applied to any and all doors on your property
• ADT or some other security sticker on all doors and garage doors (ensure the company is real and does business in your area)
• Ensuring all doors are locked when away or not in use
• Never post or place NRA stickers on your doors (the stickers are magnets for gangs that are on the lookout for houses to steal guns from)
• Never post or place political stickers on your doors (this, too, acts like a magnet for some troublesome people)
• Place an emergency sticker on your doors that alerts emergency respondents that you’ve animals on the property (this also acts as a warning to would be thieves you’ve animals that’ll probably make noise)
• Installing and using a deadbolt (either with a removable handle or a double cylinder)
• If using a deadbolt look into installing a secondary deadbolt at head height or higher
• Ensure the key is never left within the lock of deadbolt.
• If you need to keep the deadbolt key or handle near the door, hang it above the door and out of reach or against a wall away from the door
• Ensure the key can’t be grabbed by smashing through the door’s window
• Invest in buying a ‘Lock Jaw’ (http://www.amazon.com/Lock-Jaw-Security-1001-Polished/dp/B000RZQAPM) for each and every deadbolt you own if you can’t remove the handle
• When purchasing locks, look for bump-key protected locks
• Always invest in buying a solid steel door and door frame
• Don’t buy pre-hung
• Always use piano hinges that go the length of the door, never use exterior hinges
• When installing the door and/or door frame, ensure you use galvanized screws that are quite long and guaranteed not to bend or snap
• Look into reinforcing the door jamb with steel plates (http://www.amazon.com/Safe-Homes-International-55724-Reinforcer/dp/B003P5KJJO) that run the length of the door, and, again, use galvanized screws that are long and guaranteed not to bend or snap
• If you can’t reinforce the door jamb, at least reinforce the strike plate (http://www.amazon.com/MINTCRAFT-HSH-004BN-Security-Strike-Brushed/dp/B000UVR4BC/)
• Look into installing individual alarms (http://www.amazon.com/Window-Door-Alarm-Kit-Pack/dp/B007RUGANC) on each door within your house and garage
• Invest in buying a ‘Club’ (http://www.amazon.com/Door-Stopper-Resists-Force-Protect/dp/B00007E7LN) for each and every door within your house, including service doors and doors that enter an attached garage or similar building
• Don’t buy and invest money in a door cane/bar (http://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-265DCCSEN-Dual-Function-Security/dp/B0002YUX8I/) (goes under the handle). Most are easily bent and pushed through, but if you want to buy one make sure it’s very solid and is paired with the above
• To go the extra mile, you can get two brackets and install them on either side of the door (again, galvanized screws that are both long and guaranteed to not bend or snap). Then lay a heavy and thick piece of wood or metal pipe across said brackets. This creates another layer that should help prevent kicked in or forced open doors. This can be painted and decorated to look more natural and match the home’s décor; however it’s advised for doors out of sight or rarely used, like side doors.
• Always ensure to lock and properly secure all sliding doors, try using a cable or lock (http://www.amazon.com/Window-Door-Restrictor-Cable-Multiple/dp/B00UYDY3XS/)
• Security lights (motion activated) should be installed above each door that leads to the outside
• A security camera should be installed, be it fake or real, above each door that leads outside
• The trim around the door should be covered, be it with siding or another form of covering
• Bells or some other noise-making object hung where the door will hit or placed on the door itself
• Place a “Do Not Disturb” sign on door and/or a “No Solicitor” sign on all doors or next to it
• Even if not religious, have a religious item, statue or picture in sight if someone looks through the doors or their windows (can scare or cause guilt in some)
• Keep all keys, documents and valuables away from doors
• You’ll always have one unsecured door when you leave the house and no one’s home. Ensure the door you leave from is one in plain sight of the street and neighbors
• Ensure all other doors are secured properly before leaving



The windows:
If a potential thief can’t use any door on your property, their next point of entry will most likely be the window if they haven’t decided to give up. Some will give up as the window will most likely cause more noise than going through the door whereas some others have prepared for just this case.

• The money is worth the initial investment
• All tips should be applied to any and all windows on your property
• ADT or some other security sticker on all windows (ensure the company is real and does business in your area)
• Ensuring all windows are closed and  locked when away or not in use
• Ensure the child protection safety latches are enabled
• Never post or place NRA stickers on your windows (the stickers are magnets for gangs that are on the lookout for houses to steal guns from)
• Never post or place political stickers on your windows (this, too, acts like a magnet for some troublesome people)
• Place an emergency sticker on your windows that alerts emergency respondents that you’ve animals on the property (this also acts as a warning to would be thieves you’ve animals that’ll probably make noise)
• Install security film (http://www.amazon.com/Security-Window-Film-Wide-Roll/dp/B004LDBPY2/) on all windows possible (look into tinted too)
• Install or put up blackout curtains, especially ones that offer noise cancelation (prevents people from peeping in and/or listen in)
• Look into a window bar or simply use a piece of PVC | WOOD | METAL | PIPE above all windows
• Look into installing a window lock (http://www.amazon.com/Cardinal-Gates-Window-Warden-White/dp/B007PLZUUC/), if possible
• Place bars on all basement windows
• Look into installing individual alarms (http://www.amazon.com/Window-Door-Alarm-Kit-Pack/dp/B007RUGANC) on each window within your house and garage
• Ensure all frames are thoroughly sealed and caulked, double check for possible flaws
• Even if not religious, have a religious item, statue or picture in sight if someone looks through the windows (can scare or cause guilt in some)
• Keep all keys, documents and valuables away from windows
• Place ‘security hedges’ (thorny bushes) under windows or close to them, make sure they’re dense enough that someone can’t hide in them or by them
• Basement windows should have a cap placed over them (those plastic domes)
• If windows are older, replace them with double or triple pane
• Windows that are never in use or pose a bigger threat, even with the above done, should be screwed shut (not nailed)



The garage:
Doors and windows aren’t the only point of entries. Many people, especially in higher class neighborhoods, tend to leave their garages completely unsecured. No one really pays much mind to the garage until it’s broken into. This is why you should be pro-active and secure your garage to further minimize your loss, especially if you’ve a garage attached to your house.

• The money is worth the initial investment
• All tips should be applied to any and all garages on your property
• ADT or some other security sticker on all windows and doors (ensure the company is real and does business in your area)
• Get a solid garage door, not a thin aluminum one. A solid steel or wooden garage door can help deter would be thieves
• Ensure your garage door doesn’t have windows, if it does, secure or board over them
• Limit the access points into your garage, board up windows if you don’t want or need them.
• Ensure you’ve installed individual alarms (http://www.amazon.com/Window-Door-Alarm-Kit-Pack/dp/B007RUGANC) on all doors and windows, like suggested above
• Ensure all service entrances have deadbolts, secondary deadbolts and bump-key proof locks
• Ensure you always keep your garage clean and organized, this helps you see if anything is stolen or has been moved
• Always park your vehicles in your garage. A car left out can suggest you’ve more than one car or are hardly home enough to use your garage
• Zip-tie the emergency garage door release. Thieves and intruders can use a variety of means to release it and open your garage
• Always close your garage door, even if you’re in there. An open garage door allows people to enter and scout around, possibly even allow access to your house.
• Always invest in buying a solid steel  service door and door frame
• Don’t buy pre-hung
• Always use piano hinges that go the length of the door, never use exterior hinges
• When installing the door and\or door frame, ensure you use galvanized screws that are quite long and guaranteed not to bend or snap
• Look into reinforcing the door jamb (http://www.amazon.com/Safe-Homes-International-55724-Reinforcer/dp/B003P5KJJO) with steel plates that run the length of the door, and, again, use galvanized screws that are long and guaranteed not to bend or snap
• If you can’t reinforce the door jamb, at least reinforce the strike plate (http://www.amazon.com/MINTCRAFT-HSH-004BN-Security-Strike-Brushed/dp/B000UVR4BC/)
• Always ensure the service door leading to the house can be locked only from the house and not the garage
• Ensure all windows are closed and locked when away or not in use
• Ensure the child protection safety latches are enabled
• Install security film (http://www.amazon.com/Security-Window-Film-Wide-Roll/dp/B004LDBPY2/) on all windows possible (look into tinted too)
• Install or put up blackout curtains, especially ones that offer noise cancelation
• Look into a window bar or simply use a piece of PVC | WOOD | METAL | PIPE above all windows
• Look into installing a window lock (http://www.amazon.com/Cardinal-Gates-Window-Warden-White/dp/B007PLZUUC/), if possible
• Invest in locked cabinets, lockers and toolboxes to keep thieves out of your tools and belongings. This also prevents you from supplying them the tools to break in
• Ensure all explosives, flammables and similar items are put away, locked and out of site. These items can be used to gain entrance in your home
• Look into investing into a good bike lock or two, non-combination. Use these to secure tools and larger items to your walls or to weights of sorts to prevent theft or use against you
• Ensure you’ve installed private drive, private property…etc signs around your garage
• Security lights and cameras (real or fake) can also help deter would be thieves and intruders
• Check your garage door’s tracks. If they allow it, you can secure your garage door further by placing a lock-bar or a simple steel coat hanger through the tracks to prevent the door from being forced

Before we continue into the next chapter, we’d like to remind you that the above is simply a series of suggestions. Your needs may be quite different, and doing all the above would be pointless if you only need to do one to two of the options only.

Always assess your security and privacy needs before starting any of the projects or suggestions above. Remember to also go the cost effective route and not the cheapest or most expensive – you don’t usually need titanium screws that are a foot long to secure your hardware.

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Your Property, Your Rights
We’re granted a lot of rights as to do what we wish with our property, but due to some laws and varying home or neighborhood associations (that could give Soviet Russia or Nazi Germany a run for their money) there exist some limitations. This is why we stated in a previous chapter on asking yourself several questions ad also investigating your local and state laws.

It’s quite crucial you do this as legally as possible without voiding anything and bringing hell down upon your head. This will result in less security and privacy if you do so, which also will increase possible danger to you and yours.

You also must realize that if all other possible points of entry are secured and locked tight, they’ll look for other possible points by gaining even more access to your property through your backyard or the side of your house to look and test for possible weaknesses. This is why you also need to doubly check your laws and such, for if you want to prevent them from stealing some prized plants (meth heads steal the strangest things) or decorations and ornaments... you must be on guard even with the law.

Now, similar to OPSec, you’ll want to compartmentalize your property with the proper fencing. Everyone loves a wide, open yard until raccoons or neighbors begin inviting themselves to your expensive Jacuzzi. And, if you do build a fence, remember to always go to the legally allowed maximum height. You want to go with the legal material, too. Some places aren’t too keen on h iron fences topped with razor-wire and broken glasses.

To make it simpler for you, we’re going to list the things you need to know about building a fence.

Things to know for safety and legal purposes:
• When picking the material, and if it’s wood, let it dry a day or two before construction
• Let the wood dry, especially after construction, before applying any finished or varnishes on
• Always buy your posts a little longer, as you always want to set and sink said posts quite deep to prevent sagging, movement and easily lifted posts
• Ensure the hinges are sized correctly, no matter what
• Ensure you “Step” the fence up or down, changing elevation, when dealing with slants and hills
• Spaces and gaps from “stepping” can be covered with chicken wire or a lattice
• The “nice side” faces toward the outside of your property (toward the neighbors) and not you
• Always check your codes, some places will want your posts sunk deeper than two feet
• Always have someone professionally check for lines and such before digging



Things to do for privacy and security
• Always build your fence the maximum, legal height and width
• Check for clauses and codes that may prevent or allow you to put up a lattice on your fence (deters would be thieves, also can break and generate even more noise. Possibly leave DNA behind)
• Always ensure the fence has at least two good locks
• If legal in your area, and the fence is high enough, look into “anti-vandal” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-climb_paint) paint
• If not violating anything, ensure to have visible signs that range from “no solicitors” to “Private property” and even those advertising the use of “Anti-climb paint” and that you have “Cameras in use”
• If you own a dog, don’t use an “Attack dog” or “Guard dog” on property sign. Use a “Dog on property” sign to avoid potential lawsuits (two advertise a violent dog while the other simply states you own a dog)
• Install bells or chimes on the fence and ensure it makes noise if jiggled or being opened
• Ensure to have lights around or on top of your fence to help illuminate the area


Your fence is all but one part of securing your property. You also need to ensure your yard is seen as clean. You can’t leave toys, belongings and miscellaneous items lying around. These will not only entice people to investigate your property, but also advertises what you may own or have on your property.

You also need to keep your yard in shape, which isn’t to say you need a perfectly manicured lawn. Just keep it mowed, the hedges trimmed and weeds pull make people see that someone is there and keeping up on the property.

Not much can be done outside of common sense; however you need to ensure you don’t advertise your political beliefs and party to the whole neighborhood and world. People are notoriously fickle individuals who’ll vandalize and steal property (http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/inside-politics/2012/oct/9/romney-signs-defaced-excrement-virginia/) belonging to another simply because they don’t vote the same way or believe in the same things.

And, on the upside, you also lessen hazards presented on your property or items that can be used to break into your house.

Talking about hazards, people are quite curious; ensure you keep your yard smelling crisp and clean. If you have pets or kids, just keeping up on the lawn and putting your property away won’t matter much if something smells out of places. Hose down your sidewalks and pickup after Fluffy ASAP!

It takes one concerned, elderly neighbor to have SWAT descend upon your house like flies toward Fluffy’s processed dinner. Take the 10 minutes and cleanup after your pets and kids. Better to be safe than sorry. And, to handle things more humanely, also looking into planting attractive plants and flowers on your property instead of putting up enticing ornaments and such than attract people like birds to a shine object.

And, besides, decorating your property isn’t too bad of a thing. Shingled patios and pea-stone pebbled drives or walks generate noise and can spook would-be thieves due to the added noise.

Also, a reminder: Always keep your part of the alley clean, too. It takes one pet carcass or some spilt red paint for the police to question you about the state of your garbage cans. It doesn’t hurt to bleach them out twice a month to prevent mold, mildew, bugs and whatever else might cause someone to question your garbage and recycling receptacles.

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Your Home, Your Rules

Not many people think that outside of doing the above that they’ve anything really left to do, however these people are wrong and probably will end up with their property broken into and items stolen. You’ve a bit more to do before you can feel as if your home is properly secured, and this chapter’s the fun on in our opinion.

You see, as we stated, a criminal isn’t going strike during the night, but during the day when most people are at work. And, like we’ve stated before, the ones coming at night are amateurs, gang members and druggies (Meth heads will cause havoc). Those coming in at night will wreck your property; possibly even drive a car through your wall to get inside. These people aren’t going to hit a high end neighborhood with a few security guards or an active populace, though, and rarely will attempt it in desperation unless they have family or friends within the area—like vampires, they usually have to be invited into the area beforehand (possibly by a drug deal?).

Your professional criminal or at least semi-intelligent one will strike when you’re at work. They’ll have spent several days learning your schedule and the schedules of your family, among other people in your area. They’ll look for weaknesses and easily overpowered individuals (remember the questions). They want to get in, out, and do so quietly. This is why the previous chapters recommended so much and basically suggested bells and chimes on your doors. You could also even use a motion detector in and around your property; however once they’re inside or feel confident enough it won’t matter.

This is where it’s time to be a diabolical little devil.

If you can afford it, do get an alarm system besides doing the above. They do work, although they shouldn’t be relied upon due to the fact that some companies do have criminals amongst their ranks. There’s also the fact that no alarm is foolproof. A cat or small dog could destroy censors, or bugs can cover them up or even get inside the sensors or cameras and wreck them. So, yes, get an alarm but never rely on them.

And, just as an FYI, always sleep with your alarm set. You want them to go off instantly once the door or window has been opened, breached or broken. The noise will spook most would-be thieves into evacuating the scene instead of being taken in by the police.

You also want to get not one but two dogs as most people think they can take on a big, mean looking dog. A good pairing is getting a small dog, as they’re usually prone to bark, and one nice sized big dog that look as if they could tear a person’s face.

The reasoning behind the two dogs is quite simple: Companionship for you and each other, but also because one won’t likely shut up while the other begins to cave a would-be thief’s butt in while trying to flee the scene.

Now, if you want to ruin someone’s night or day and really cause some undue stress and take a few years off someone’s life—get child safety locks.

We’re not joking here.
Seriously get yourself some child safety locks on everything you can. From Velcro “Safety bands” on your fridge to cabinet and drawer locks. Each and every possible container and appliance that may contain something of value or something a person could take should be locked by a child safety device, even the toilet.

People, when breaking in, no matter how many times as we state it, want to get in and out. They want to basically get in and out. Noise, lights and visibility scare them away, so imagine what happens if they get in and can’t even open up a drawer without the trademark “KLLLLLCCHHHH” sound from Velcro or having to struggle with applying just the right amount of pressure to open up a drawer.

Go the full nine yards and even do this to the garage, too, along with every outlet on your property having a child protection cap. You might as well put a protective case around your thermostat, too. Imagine the surprise when a thief has to traverse these potential time waster alongside worrying about noise and lights.

You also want not one but several safes and cabinets that lock. The reasoning behind this is that it causes one of those “too many choices” moments, yet also causes another time waster. They can’t just smash a safe as that, too, causes noise and picking the lock is going take awhile. Guns, jewelry, small and portable electronics, documents and what have you should always have a place and be within that place before you leave.

A good, solid filing cabinet with locks is another good idea.

Keeping your house clean is also very important as this hinders would-be thieves and any potential tools they can use to break into things. This also makes it look like that you either just stepped out or have a maid service to clean your property. Some people will leave simply due to the fact that you could be home any second and just possibly stepped out for a smoke or some more cleaners. This is also why it’s important to keep your house and not just your property smelling nice. If someone smells something off or as stale, they might see that you’ve been gone for awhile or get curious enough as to call the authorities on you for an off smell.

Another good point is keeping something on, when away, to simulate conversation or noise like a radio or a TV. Some of your newer TVs do allow people to set timers to turn the TV on when a specific show is on or time is met. Getting a clapper for lamps is also a good way to help keep people off guard when they’re unsure someone’s home or not. You also want to buy timers for your radio, as when the TV goes off, having your radio go on simulates that someone may be in the house.

Basically, we’re simply stating that nothing is 100% safe and will prevent thieves and criminals from breaking into your home, hence the constant layering of protection and safety. You need to ensure your house’s and property’s entry points aren’t only secured, visible and monitored by a camera and lit up whenever someone comes near, you also want the same with your fence. You also need to ensure your home and your belongings are secured and safe and locked up nicely; too, to ensure people just can’t smash into your house and run out with its goodies.

And, before we close this chapter, we’d just like to remind people that they need to ensure expensive items that can’t be stored in a safe, like a TV or stereo, are properly secured to a wall or their stand--a pain for you, but doubly so for others wanting your stuff.

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Afterword
As mentioned in the above, it’s really just layering and being on guard. You can lock everything up and ensure you’ve the proper insurance (home owners…etc), however if someone wants it they’ll try to get into your house and property and take it. You need to be aware of everything around you and realize the biggest threat to your stuff is you.

Remember OPSec and compartmentalization for your family and home:

• Don’t advertise your guns or belongings
• Always lock everything up and turn off what isn’t needed
• Keep a light on and something that makes noise
• Set your washer or dryer to turn on a few minutes after you leave (to simulate activity)
• Never leave your house without say “goodbye” to someone (simulates activity and occupancy)
• Befriend trustworthy neighbors (they’ll keep an eye on you and your property)
• Never announce when leaving or going on vacation (especially not on social media)
• Replace your mailbox with a locking one
• Asking to have the post office hold your mail while away
• Having friends or family (that you trust) to watch your home and property while you’re gone (or at least to stop by, walk around and check things once a day)
• Always keep your property and house clean and smelling nice
• Keep your property and home organized
• Put your belongings away
• Lockup and store things away when not in use
• Always password protect everything you can
• Etch your name, phone number and address into electronics and attach labels inside of items that may get taken
• Take pictures and catalogue everything of  value and worth, even if sentimental, and keep a physical album with up-to-date descriptions and serial numbers in your safe or a safety deposit box
• Be aware of who you're friends with
• Remove your house and property from online maps (Check the Paranoid’s Bible PDF for more information)
• Anchor TVs, monitors, and other similar items to furniture or floors
• Don't flaunt expensive things, valuables...etc
• Don't gloat about items of value or rarity
• Don't advertise your recent purchases (always destroy, break down...etc packaging and throw a bit at a time)
• Always use a cell to call police, thieves can and have tapped landlines or gotten access to your phone before or during break-ins
• Don't throw away receipts or important documents (shred or burn)
• Tell kids never to open doors and/or talk to strangers
• Invest in bike locks, cable locks and other similar items to secure tools and work benches (even if locked before) to cement or other similar weights
• Remind kids to never tell if you're not there or asleep
• Don't leave drills, ladders...etc laying around (helps break into your house)
• If ordering a taxi, get it on the corner of your block
• If being dropped off by a taxi, get dropped off at the corner or a nearby shop/business
• Keep your vehicles empty and in the garage
• Don’t advertise political parties or beliefs on your car
• Don’t use “Family stickers” as these can be used to gather info on you
• Just don’t place anything on your car outside of permits and security items
• Keep drapes closed, but if opened keep expensive items out of sight
• Wasp/bear or mace will ruin a person's night if sprayed in the face
• Make copies of all your important documents, including copies of all your credit cards (store in safe or safety deposit box)
• And remember: You can do everything correctly and to the letter of the law, yet people will still try to find fault with your actions.

Again, as we stated numerous times: You can’t prevent all break-ins, only lessen your loss. We hope this helps you and your family stay safe and keep your home and property safe.