IF YOU HAD TO RIG UP YOUR OWN HOME SECURITY ON A TIGHT BUDGET, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
I get the “don’t look like a target” angle, but I’d argue a few visible deterrents can actually help, even if they’re not top-tier tech. For example:
- Motion sensor lights by all entry points—cheap, and they freak people out.
- Window security film. Not glamorous, but it slows down a smash-and-grab.
- Door reinforcement plates, not just longer screws. Makes a big difference structurally.
- As for fake cameras, depends on placement. If you tuck them in with some real wiring or signage, most folks can’t tell at a glance.
I’ve seen break-ins where the only thing that stopped someone was a loud light or a reinforced frame. Sometimes boring works, but a layered approach isn’t overkill if you do it subtly.
IF YOU HAD TO RIG UP YOUR OWN HOME SECURITY ON A TIGHT BUDGET, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
I’m with you on the motion lights—my neighbor’s old solar ones have scared off more raccoons than people, but hey, they work. I’d add: plant some thorny bushes under ground-floor windows. Cheap, green, and nobody wants to crawl through a rose bush at 2am. Not high-tech, but it’s saved my tomatoes and my peace of mind.
IF YOU HAD TO RIG UP YOUR OWN HOME SECURITY ON A TIGHT BUDGET, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Motion lights are a classic, and I’ll admit, they’re probably the best bang for your buck. I’ve got a couple of those cheap solar ones too—sometimes they’re more sensitive to wind than actual movement, but at least they make it look like someone’s paying attention. The thorny bush idea is clever, though I tried that with some barberry once and just ended up scratching myself every time I cleaned the windows. Maybe I’m just clumsy.
One thing I’d add: fake security cameras. You can get a pack online for next to nothing, and from the street, they look legit. I’m not convinced they’d fool a pro, but most break-ins are crimes of opportunity anyway. Also, I swapped out the screws in my door strike plates for longer ones—costs basically nothing and makes it way harder to kick in a door. Not glamorous, but it works. Sometimes the low-tech stuff is the most reliable, honestly.
IF YOU HAD TO RIG UP YOUR OWN HOME SECURITY ON A TIGHT BUDGET, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Those fake cameras make me laugh a bit—I've seen some with the blinking red light that just screams “not real,” but hey, maybe it’s enough to make someone think twice. I always start with doors and windows: longer screws in all the strike plates like you said, and I add window locks (the kind you can get at any hardware store for a couple bucks). I’m not convinced about thorny bushes either—last time I tried that, my dog hated me for weeks. If there’s one thing I’d splurge on, it’s a decent deadbolt. The rest is just making your place look less like an easy target.
IF YOU HAD TO RIG UP YOUR OWN HOME SECURITY ON A TIGHT BUDGET, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
I’ve wondered about those fake cameras too—do they really fool anyone who’s determined? I tried the longer screws trick after seeing a demo where the door held up way better, so I’m sold on that. But here’s something I’ve run into: is there any real value in motion sensor lights, or do people just get used to them and ignore them after a while? I had a rental that came with them, but honestly, half the time it was just cats setting them off. Still, I guess anything that makes a house look like more hassle than it’s worth can’t hurt.