home security, protection

I need some ideas on what to get to have in the house for some protection when dh is at work. our street is getting worse and worse, and I cant figure out why..
but I am home alone the majority of the night with the boys. We have a lot of windows and doors on the first level and I am just starting to feel a little insecure.
I am not comfortable getting a gun with the kids this young, and also we dont have the money to spend on proper storage of one in a safe right now.
so I need some ideas of what people have in the home for protection.
I am considering some mace to keep near the doors and my bedroom, and maybe a baseball bat??
any ideas?

You could get a home security system. Or if you don't want to go that route you can buy the little alarms to go on windows or doors. They sell them at any Home Improvement Center.

Those little sensor alarms are great! And they are extremely loud so you will definitely hear them.

we do have those little alarms on all the doors and window..
I cant do an alarm system as we rent.

but, my concern is that if someone tried to come in thru the window.
I know that if someone is determined enough they can get in, but I want something to have to protect us, until the police can get there.

my neighborhood was so nice when we moved in, its a brand new town house and single home developement..the prices were great, but what happened was, there are many many homes now filled with multi families in them, and most of them dont work...so the drug problem has increased, and the cops are here almost nightly.
I am concerned with the economy taking its toll on people, that some people might get desperate and would like to have something available to protect me and the kids.

Those little sensor alarms are great! And they are extremely loud so you will definitely hear them.

They are cheap too. Under 10 bucks for 4, I think. There is an alarm, chime and off switch.

Edited to add because I didn't see your reply.

Baseball bats are cheap or you could get a dog

This post has been edited by BAC'sMom on May 11 2009, 06:03 AM

I am thinking about the dog..but was hoping for a solution that didnt require so much attention and up keep!

a German Shepherd...it doesn't get any better than that.

Well you could get mace, or something like that, but that is no protection if the intruder has a gun and intends to harm you, not in a house where there's so many rooms and you don't know where they are coming from or if God forbid they had one of the kids with them. Now that may be a little extreme, but the topic I think calls for it and since you're weighing your options, it might be something to think about. I don't know what I would do to be honest.

I often wondered what would I do if someone broke in. Your first instinct would be to hide, or get the kids and hide, but I'm guessing non of our houses are that big where we can run around and grab all our kids and hide quietly unitl some intruder finds where we all our.

There are professional grade wireless alarm systems you can buy where the sensors are applied with double sided tape. This would allow you to non-permanently (but securely) install the system in your rented home.

They can be monitored by a central monitoring company who can dispatch the police for about $8/ month and can be set up to call or text or email other places in the event of a break-in.

Pepper spray/ mace is not a bad idea as are other defensive measures as long as they are within reach at the time they are needed.

Nothing is fool proof so I think the most you can do is be prepared and aware and don't become a target. Lock your doors and windows. Keep lights on. Use motion sensing flood lights outside etc.

Another thought is to contact the local police and tell them about your concerns and see if they have any suggestions to help make your house safe.

I have a metal base ball bat (and it's PINK!), pepper spray, and my phone right next to me. Not sure how well that'd work but I'm surrounded by marines who would come if they heard screaming! So I'm not too worried.

This post has been edited by Calimama on May 11 2009, 08:00 AM

Much better worded than I

I hear that one. Aren't we lucky!!!

I hear that one. Aren't we lucky!!!

Yes! I had a snake in my yard this morning and my friend and I started screaming and like 6 guys came out. SO useful.

I hear that one. Aren't we lucky!!!

Yes! I had a snake in my yard this morning and my friend and I started screaming and like 6 guys came out. SO useful.

Much better worded than I

I had to double check what I typed - I thought I typed what you quoted- and had to try and figure out what I was trying to say since that sentence doesn't make ANY sense.

This post has been edited by DVFlyer on May 11 2009, 08:34 AM

Forgot to add-

Here is where I bought mine (Visonic Powermax):

http://www.homesecuritystore.com/

A German Shepherd That's what I use

I was going to mention the wireless alarm systems too. You can definitely use those in rental properties.

Much better worded than I

I had to double check what I typed - I thought I typed what you quoted- and had to try and figure out what I was trying to say since that sentence doesn't make ANY sense.

OMG what a quote......can I be charged for misquoteing you???? LOL that's awesome. I was refering to the part of the baseball bat, mace, whatever being within reach

a german shepard is good as a deterrent but it makes a way worse witness than surveillance footage