Home Security Options for Private Dwelling (Home)

[static zap]

...you should see my vans

Sounds like Glasgow is round the corner !

 

[Chris1234]

The littlewoods ladies section got me though my childhood except if I found ‘something’ in the woods!
I’m so glad I’m all grown up now!

What was it with ---- in the woods?
I had to take up mountain biking so my parents didn’t get suspicious about me always being in the woods!

 

[FatAlan]

Where in Mancunia do you live?
I haven't locked the back door of my house for the last 15 years now.

M21 resident.

What’s your address please?

 

[FatAlan]

Where in Mancunia do you live?
I haven't locked the back door of my house for the last 15 years now.

M21 resident.

What’s your address please?

 

[Khuz360]

Don't know if the OP has built a solution. So here's my view based on the research I've done.

First thing to get sorted is a good quality hardwired and expandable Burglar Alarm, I hear those made by Texecom are particularly good, however no experience with them and still something I'm looking into. I say hardwired because simply put a wired device is less likely to fail than a wireless device, just think about how many times your wifi or phone signal gets jittery. Expandable systems give you the option to add sensors wireless sensors where necessary however I personally wouldn't rely on a wireless only system. PIR sensors, Door sensors and window sensors on the ground floor and upstairs. Ensure they are pointed at the main entry points. Get a system that also has a dial feature or even better one that connects to the internet and sends you alerts.

Next would be to install PIR security lights around the outside of the house. Burglars operate in darkness, so light them up. I have the Osram LEDVance 50w. Had it a few months now and can't complain super bright and lights up the a much wider area than the previous halogen one.

CCTV is a more complex issue and really depends on your preference and budget. In my view there are two major options available IP camera to local NVR storage and cloud based.

IP cameras are the successor to the old style DVR cameras which used the analog phono and bn cables. They come in a variety of styles and specifications and are powered via POE (Power over ethernet) usually coming from the NVR which they record to, meaning one cable. Using ethernet cables means the cameras record a much higher quality image and the newest ones can record up to 4k resolution. If you are opting for this system use CAT6 or CAT6a cable, its pointless spending money on a system and then running CAT5 or CAT5e because you won't get the most out of it. The good thing about the cameras that can record a 4k image is that the higher resolution means even at a distance it'll be possible to zoom in on a face and potentially identify. In terms of styles there are 3 bullet, dome and turret. Everything I've read indicates that turret cameras are the best option particularly if being used outside. Going for a reputable company such as Hikvision means you get a much higher quality system which can also be remotely monitored. Downside is they are expensive. 4k cameras x4, NVR, 2TB HDD and cable, costs roughly £700

Cloud based cameras are the new thing for domestic security and you would have seen things like Ring, Next, Arlo etc. Prices vary but usually around the £200 mark. These cameras record to the cloud using WiFi and can be battery powered or wired into the mains. There is one device which is an exception and can be powered via POE and fully hardwired to the internet which is the Ring Elite but that is £450. I understand that for majority of them a subscription is also required to get the most out what these devices can do. However even right out of the box they are quite feature rich. From what I've heard the battery powered options run out of juice pretty quickly. Another point to consider is that these devices are constantly uploading, so you would need to be able to do that through your broadband connection. My biggest issue with these devices is the reliance on WiFi and the inability to hardwire anything even though they are likely to stay in one place.

Finally and perhaps the most expensive is to assess the quality of your doors, windows and locks and if possible upgrade everything to Secure by Design products.

I hope this helps.

 

[freddo]

Finally and perhaps the most expensive is to assess the quality of your doors, windows and locks and if possible upgrade everything to Secure by Design products.

Physical security should be first on the list not last IMO!

 

[MFS Electrical]

Sounds like Glasgow is round the corner !

But it’s in Greenock that word puts the fear of god into even the most hardened weegies, Greenock; the place to be if you want stabbbed, bottled or otherwise assaulted. Mostly unprovoked, of course

 

[MFS Electrical]

Don't know if the OP has built a solution. So here's my view based on the research I've done.

First thing to get sorted is a good quality hardwired and expandable Burglar Alarm, I hear those made by Texecom are particularly good, however no experience with them and still something I'm looking into. I say hardwired because simply put a wired device is less likely to fail than a wireless device, just think about how many times your wifi or phone signal gets jittery. Expandable systems give you the option to add sensors wireless sensors where necessary however I personally wouldn't rely on a wireless only system. PIR sensors, Door sensors and window sensors on the ground floor and upstairs. Ensure they are pointed at the main entry points. Get a system that also has a dial feature or even better one that connects to the internet and sends you alerts.

Next would be to install PIR security lights around the outside of the house. Burglars operate in darkness, so light them up. I have the Osram LEDVance 50w. Had it a few months now and can't complain super bright and lights up the a much wider area than the previous halogen one.

CCTV is a more complex issue and really depends on your preference and budget. In my view there are two major options available IP camera to local NVR storage and cloud based.

IP cameras are the successor to the old style DVR cameras which used the analog phono and bn cables. They come in a variety of styles and specifications and are powered via POE (Power over ethernet) usually coming from the NVR which they record to, meaning one cable. Using ethernet cables means the cameras record a much higher quality image and the newest ones can record up to 4k resolution. If you are opting for this system use CAT6 or CAT6a cable, its pointless spending money on a system and then running CAT5 or CAT5e because you won't get the most out of it. The good thing about the cameras that can record a 4k image is that the higher resolution means even at a distance it'll be possible to zoom in on a face and potentially identify. In terms of styles there are 3 bullet, dome and turret. Everything I've read indicates that turret cameras are the best option particularly if being used outside. Going for a reputable company such as Hikvision means you get a much higher quality system which can also be remotely monitored. Downside is they are expensive. 4k cameras x4, NVR, 2TB HDD and cable, costs roughly £700

Cloud based cameras are the new thing for domestic security and you would have seen things like Ring, Next, Arlo etc. Prices vary but usually around the £200 mark. These cameras record to the cloud using WiFi and can be battery powered or wired into the mains. There is one device which is an exception and can be powered via POE and fully hardwired to the internet which is the Ring Elite but that is £450. I understand that for majority of them a subscription is also required to get the most out what these devices can do. However even right out of the box they are quite feature rich. From what I've heard the battery powered options run out of juice pretty quickly. Another point to consider is that these devices are constantly uploading, so you would need to be able to do that through your broadband connection. My biggest issue with these devices is the reliance on WiFi and the inability to hardwire anything even though they are likely to stay in one place.

Finally and perhaps the most expensive is to assess the quality of your doors, windows and locks and if possible upgrade everything to Secure by Design products.

I hope this helps.

Secure by design is a starter for 10 but should only be viewed as a minimum standard, there are much more secure items available on the market with a negligible difference in cost.

 

[Khuz360]

Physical security should be first on the list not last IMO!

I agree however as I said it is the most expensive which is why I placed it at the bottom, not everyone has £10k lying around to upgrade doors and windows etc. It's considerably easier to scrape together a few hundred for a decent alarm system, cameras and security lights which will offer a measure of protection in the form of being a deterrent.

 

[MFS Electrical]

I agree however as I said it is the most expensive which is why I placed it at the bottom, not everyone has £10k lying around to upgrade doors and windows etc. It's considerably easier to scrape together a few hundred for a decent alarm system, cameras and security lights which will offer a measure of protection in the form of being a deterrent.

You’d be surprised how much of a difference you could make to physical security with minimal outlay though, it wouldn’t have to be new doors and windows if they are decent enough an upgrade to the locking systems might be enough

 

[telectrix]

couple some of the above posts with a pair of hungry rottweilers. job's a good 'un.

 

[Intoelectrics]

couple some of the above posts with a pair of hungry rottweilers. job's a good 'un.

A mate of mine ran a scrap yard with a couple of, well what looked like massive Jurassic wolves, on the prowl during the evenings. One day he came to open up to find both dogs dead. The burglars had poisoned them before breaking in. They had managed to scale a 12 foot barbed wire fence, break into a shipping container which had a very big padlock on it. Nick 3 motorbikes which were chained up inside, hoist them over the fence and make a clean get away. All this was captured on cctv. The police new exactly who the burglars were, arrested and charged them only for the CPS to drop the case due to insufficient evidence. What a joke!

Bring back capital punishment, if they are caught on camera or in possession and there is no doubt, cut off their fingers! For robbing a person, especially the vulnerable - chop off their genitals as well.

 

[telectrix]

A mate of mine ran a scrap yard with a couple of, well what looked like massive Jurassic wolves, on the prowl during the evenings. One day he came to open up to find both dogs dead. The burglars had poisoned them before breaking in. They had managed to scale a 12 foot barbed wire fence, break into a shipping container which had a very big padlock on it. Nick 3 motorbikes which were chained up inside, hoist them over the fence and make a clean get away. All this was captured on cctv. The police new exactly who burglars were, arrested and charged them only for the CPS to drop the case due to insufficient evidence.

Bring back capital punishment, if they are caught on camera or in possession and there is no doubt, cut off their fingers! For robbing a person, especially the vulnerable - chop off their genitals as well.

benn there, had same. gyppos stole from lock-up garage, then came back and stripped all the aluminium shell off my double decker bus mobile home. police caught them red-handed loading the alli on pick-ups. bast4rds said they'd bought the bus from a bloke in the pub. insufficient evidence. my arse.

 

[DPG]

CPS are a joke. Police must get as frustrated as us when this sort of thing happens.
Same with the defence solicitors earning good money defending scrotes who they know have probably done it anyway.

 

[Octopus]

Around my way thieves seem to target houses during the winter, after dark, but before people get home ........... so all houses in complete darkness are sitting ducks ..................

If the scumbags want to get in they will ............. we have cctv and 1 of my neighbours has an alarm ....... fingers crossed these deterrents will ensure we get left alone for "easier" targets