We had a home invasion last summer. I always laughed at the ADT commercials on tv with the BG running at the sound.....I don’t anymore. That is the 1st line of defense. Allows one to arm themselves (assuming they are not already armed).
Also, crooks are like cockroaches.....they do not like the light. Put motion sensors around your entire house.
Crooks do not like to be photographed. Place cameras around your house.
Redundancy. Crooks not are cutting phone lines so that the security system cannot call out. Have a cell phone backup call out.
I cannot even go into full detail about the extent of what we have done as I do not want to advertise for any BG’s who may be reading.....and they do read threads like this. One gun site regarding home defense and safes was cross posted on a site where BG’s hang out. Do not post anything you don’t want BG’s to know.
A home invasion is unsettling, but is also brings clarity to what must be done. I feel I have done all I can do should an even like this happen again.
And God help the BG breaking in.
I linked to one of the "real world photos," but from there you can get to the home page and product info, etc. This company sells swing-away grates (so you can get out of the window, if needed) and several different designs, custom-sized. They look much nicer than the iron grates installed over the window on the outside of the house. To my eye, they provide a visual deterrent (as well as a physical deterrent) without making the house look "locked down."
No, I am not affliated with the company! :) Just was following up on our discussion by researching what products are out there.