If you had to rig up your own home security on a tight budget, what would you do?

TITLE: If you had to rig up your own home security on a tight budget, what would you do?

I do wonder sometimes if we overthink security tech when basic physical barriers do most of the heavy lifting... Maybe not as flashy, but definitely practical.

Couldn’t agree more with this. I’ve seen folks drop hundreds on Wi-Fi cameras and then leave the back gate hanging by a single screw. Kinda like locking your car but leaving the windows down. I swapped out all my exterior screws for 3” ones and added a piece of rebar in the sliding door track - cheap, but it works. Not saying cameras are useless, but if someone really wants in, they’ll find a way unless you make it annoying enough to try. Tech’s cool and all, but sometimes a stubborn old door is your best friend.

Honestly, I think you nailed it with the longer screws and the rebar trick. When I moved in, the first thing I did was walk around with a screwdriver and just tightened everything up - door hinges, strike plates, even window locks. It’s wild how many “secure” doors are held in by those tiny 1” screws from the builder.

One thing I’d add: cheap motion-sensor lights. You can get a two-pack for like $30 and stick them above your main entry points. Not high-tech, but nobody likes being lit up at 2am. And for windows that slide, a simple dowel rod works just as well as rebar.

I do like having a camera at the front door, mostly for package theft, but yeah - if someone’s determined, it’s all about slowing them down or making your place look like more trouble than it’s worth. Sometimes I think people get so caught up in apps and alerts that they forget about just making things physically tough to mess with.

IF YOU HAD TO RIG UP YOUR OWN HOME SECURITY ON A TIGHT BUDGET, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

You know, I’ve always wondered about the balance between “real” security and just making things look like a hassle for would-be thieves. Like, does anyone actually try to pry open a window if there’s a dowel or rebar in the track, or do they just move on? I’ve used the dowel trick for years and never had an issue, but I’m not sure if that’s luck or deterrence.

On the motion lights - do you find they ever get triggered by animals or wind? Mine sometimes go off for no reason and I end up ignoring them, which kind of defeats the purpose. I keep thinking about adding a fake security sign or even one of those dummy cameras. Not sure if that’s overkill or just smart psychology.

Curious if anyone’s tried those window alarms you stick on with adhesive. Are they worth it, or just more noise to ignore?

IF YOU HAD TO RIG UP YOUR OWN HOME SECURITY ON A TIGHT BUDGET, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Like, does anyone actually try to pry open a window if there’s a dowel or rebar in the track, or do they just move on? I’ve used the dowel trick for years and never had an issue, but I’m not sure if that’s luck or deterrence.

Honestly, I’ve seen a lot of houses with just a simple dowel or piece of pipe in the window track, and it really does make a difference. Most break-ins are crimes of opportunity - if it looks like a pain to get in, people usually skip it. I’ve installed plenty of windows and doors over the years, and you’d be surprised how often folks overlook basic stuff like that.

Motion lights are hit or miss. Squirrels set mine off all the time. I still think they’re worth it, though - anything that makes someone feel exposed helps. As for those stick-on window alarms, I put them on my workshop windows last year. They’re loud enough to startle you (and probably your neighbors), but yeah, after the third false alarm from wind rattling the glass, I started ignoring them too.

Fake cameras and signs? Not overkill at all. Sometimes just looking like you care about security is half the battle.

IF YOU HAD TO RIG UP YOUR OWN HOME SECURITY ON A TIGHT BUDGET, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

I get the appeal of dowels and fake cameras, but honestly, I think people put too much faith in those tricks. If someone’s determined, a dowel isn’t going to stop them - they’ll just break the glass or find another way in. It’s better than nothing, sure, but it’s not a real barrier.

Instead of spending on fake stuff or gadgets that go off every time the wind blows, I’d focus on reinforcing entry points. Decent deadbolts, longer screws in the strike plates, and maybe some window film to make the glass harder to smash. Those upgrades don’t cost much and actually slow people down.

And about motion lights - yeah, they’re annoying with wildlife, but if you swap out for LEDs with adjustable sensitivity, you can cut down on false triggers and save energy at the same time. No need to light up the whole neighborhood all night.

Just my two cents... sometimes simple isn’t always enough if someone really wants in.