Security system

[atlasfever]

Hello,

Background: Flat, 1st floor

Question:
I was not really thinking about a security system at all, but since i'm refurbing, I could do it now.
Contractor suggests a wired system. Though, I thought a wireless system is popular now. Has anyone done something like this? I imagine that you can attache 1/2 of a device to the window sash, and another half to the box. Voila, done. And, battery power? Same for the entry door to my flat? Are these devices rather ugly?

Thoughts? I am not really keen on security systems b/c I'm not really convinced they work, especially if I have to actively activate them each time. On the other hand, a third lock might work better Keep in mind my front windows have a 2 storey drop (front basement forecourt), but the other 3 windows are only 1 storey high.

Feedback welcomed. Thanks.

 

[Flyfisher]

If you're particularly concerned, you could contact the crime prevention officer at your local police station. They'll also have a lot of info about the "secured by design" initiative. http://www.securedbydesign.com/index.aspx

 

[Feltwell]

I definitely wouldn't bother with wireless systems, they are simply not reliable in the long run. As to if you need an alarm system at all - up to you. I wouldn't be without one now in a "normal" house.

It's just all about making your property sufficiently unattractive to thieves that they move on and go for somewhere else that looks easier for them to break into, with less risk of being caught.

 

[tycarregydwr]

I think it really depends on the specifics of the area - not just the crime stats, but the percentage of other properties around that have security systems. As Feltwell said, it's about reducing the attractiveness of your property relative to what's around. If everyone else has a security system and you don't, you're the soft target.
Definitely worth contacting the police to get their advice - when we lived in the city they had a special 'bobby van' (actually called that!) team that came out to advise on securing your property, and could actually do work for some people (we qualified as we had small children and had already suffered a break-in, they replaced our door locks, added window locks and a peep-hole, and gave us advice on modifying the garden and access).

 

[vicky whitworth]

Geese, they're what you need. And you eat the alarm system at Christmas
I agree with 'make your property unattractive'. Don't give the impression you have stuff of value. Don't have portable high tech gadgets. If your stuff gets nicked, curse the burglar to an untimely accident. I cursed the man who shot my cat. He fell of his bike and lost an arm and an eye. :shock:

 

[tycarregydwr]

Geese, they're what you need. And you eat the alarm system at Christmas

This is what we're planning to do. And no wiring required :lol:

Don't give the impression you have stuff of value. Don't have portable high tech gadgets.

Yep, this too. Our burglary was most likely due to the stupid move of leaving the macbook on the table in plain view. Ever after, all gadgets are moved out of sight of windows when we're out.

 

[LadyArowana]

If your stuff gets nicked, curse the burglar to an untimely accident. I cursed the man who shot my cat. He fell of his bike and lost an arm and an eye. :shock:

Do you do freelance requests? :lol:

 

[worms]

Background: Flat, 1st floor...

Geese, they're what you need...

Either the downstairs neighbours will hate you or the geese will need to fly in relays 24/7 like the B52s over the Arctic in the 60s!

 

[vicky whitworth]

Come on Worms, where's your sense of challenge? You dangle the geese on ropes out of the 1st floor windows so they are suspended at ground floor window level, one per window and door. You reel them up when you're at home, lower them before you go out.

 

[JoceAndChris]

:lol: Like the sound of that, and also I've got some commissions for you too Vicky!

Our garden flat in Highgate is alarmed and there were repeated incidents. In each case, the burglar was shouted off by a neighbour before he got in the property ( that flat is overlooked by dozens of other garden flats and five storey houses). The first floor flat and the other flats aren't alarmed and have had no problems. They are riding on the neighbour watch system, and possibly, the fact that there is the burglar alarm box on the house on our flat, acting as a deterrent ( though not as much of a deterrent as people in their gardens - it's a long terraced row) And the front door has two good locks.

What's the rest of the security like? I think I'd leave it for now and see how you get on. Of course insurance does come down a bit if your property is alarmed.

Our current house wasn't alarmed though the Georgian shutters with bars that come down are highly effective. Unfortunately our burglar didnt realise he was pushing against a huge iron bar and he did a lot of damage to our lovely Regency doors, before giving up and smashing a window. After that we spent 3,000 on an alarm that links to the police and have had no further problems.

 

[worms]

Come on Worms, where's your sense of challenge? You dangle the geese on ropes out of the 1st floor windows so they are suspended at ground floor window level, one per window and door. You reel them up when you're at home, lower them before you go out.

Oh well alright, then... One in each windowbox and a reserve squad on the common stair and first-floor landing?

 

[Owain]

a reserve squad on the common stair and first-floor landing?

Common stair security is a big issue - with people out at work during the day, an unsecure close provides an ideal location for a burglar to go to work on your front door.

Ensure the common door is sturdy and kept locked and a postal timer is set to the minimum period necessary, or use an external locked mailbox.

Think of security as a number of concentric rings with your valuables in the centre. Every ring is a physical or psychological deterrent to a burglar. E.g. a gate that has to be opened on a latch is better than an open front garden. Crunchy gravel on paths and prickly hedges below windows.

 

[Penners]

Rightly or wrongly, I tend to think of security provisions not so much as genuinely effective methods of keeping burglars out (these simply don't exist) as methods of:-

1. Making your property look as uninviting as possible to a burglar, and

2. Complying with the letter of your insurance company's conditions of cover.

So the fairly obvious ideas apply: an externally visible burglar alarm, a barking dog, valuables as hard-to-spot through windows as reasonably possible, etc. For the insurers, carefully follow their stipulations as to door and window locks, be sure that (if you have one) your alarm is always set and your locks are always locked when you're out, look carefully as their maximum single item value and ensure that anything above this value is individually specified. Most of all don't under-value the building or the contents.