Hi y'all! Moved into my apartment a few months ago, and am concerned about a door inside of my unit. It is locked to me and leads to the basement of the building which is accessible through a door on the exterior of the building and a cellar door in the backyard. The basement is frequently accessed by various contractors. I'm not trying to doubt the character of the people my landlord hires, but I'm a woman who lives alone in a large city and I don't really want to take any chances. It can't be jammed from my side because it opens into the basement. Is there anything to be done about it? Or a reasonable ask to be made of my landlord?

so these past few days there are a lot of news about someone would jimmied a window. and it really put things into perspective since we realized all our important docs like passports, titles, and a few spare keys are just sitting in a regular desk drawer.

im trying to look for a small safe that is actually decent quality without spending an absolute fortune or getting something that a screwdriver can pop open in ten seconds. does anyone have a reliable model they actually use at home?thanks a ton guys

heyy everyone, I'm looking for a small fireproof safe to keep some emergency cash, receipts, and important business documents secure. I don't have a lot of extra space, so something compact would be ideal.

I'd like something with a reliable fire rating and a decent lock without spending a fortune. For those who've owned one, what would you recommend, and is there anything I should watch out for when buying?

I have 3 Wyze Cam v3s and use one over my kid's bed. i recommend them to other moms because my husband and i can both check the camera and get notifications on our phones. i set the motion area around his bed so the dogs moving around on ours or the blinds blowing dont keep setting it off. im not very handy so we used hair ties and elastic bands to mount it lol

We originally bought them so we'd get noise notifications for if the dogs were going ape shit when we weren't home and I could yell at them through the camera to shut up. Ive also used it to scare my husband while hes gaming lool.

Last month when we took the whole family on a vacation, I had my friend who lives down the street watch the dogs. I kept getting night time notifications that there was movement in my kid's bed and it was just poor lonely Winnie lying in there wondering where we all were. So I texted my friend that she was up there, so she popped over to give her a quick snuggle and it was so cuteeee

Didnt expect the baby cam to catch something that sweet.

For context I live in a small town that’s trying to become a booming city and I’m in need of a security system as my neighborhood is becoming more and more sketchy. We live with a daycare behind us and a really sketchy trailer park with known and active drug offenders across the road, both have cops/ambulances that frequent the area. The neighbors that live right next to us also partake in some questionable activities and have kids about 7-12, although they are nice enough there is not enough supervision.

The trailer park has had cops over 4 times and ambulances 2 times in the last week. Each time for assaults or domestic disputes. Including screaming matches at midnight.

I own a two car garage not fenced into my property but right next to it. It is currently storing my late grandparents items, my parents items, and some of my sisters things as she is in the process of moving. The neighbors right next to us have been a problem with this garage. When they moved in last year they had family come down to visit and the woman’s father was smoking meth but didn’t want to do it in-front of the kids so he took it upon himself to let himself in the door. The door doesn’t have a functioning lock and is harder to close as the building has been settling. For that incident I was 45 minutes away and in the ER when my sister called me and told me what was going on, as it is my property and I care for the items stored there as if they were my own, I had to call the sheriff to handle the situation knowing I was not in a place where I myself could handle it. (In doing so caused more of an uproar because no one knew what he was doing in there just that he wasn’t given permission to be digging around in our belongings) The actual garage doors themselves are janky and absolutely a hazard so if the kids got in there I’m worried one of them would be injured or even become trapped.

The daycare is notorious for having EMS visit at least once a week but yesterday was really the last straw for me. At 6am a worker showed up and called the police because two women fled from around the front door. She felt unsafe to get out of her car until the property was checked and when the police showed up to check it a man fled from the back of the building where he was also attempting to break in. None have been caught.

We live 3 blocks away from the highway and have had multiple bailouts where they get caught running down our streets or through our yards.

The attempted break in at the day care really opened my eyes and as I’m starting a family and trying to protect that family I want to make sure we feel safe in our own home.

My garage faces away from street view. We keep my dog in there during the night in a kennel because that is her safe space. She is an outside dog so she gets free roam of the yard during the day. We do not have a fence gate. A male dog that has been terrorizing me for YEARS keeps going in my garage and literally shitting everywhere. He is a violent dog. He has chased me at night and sat outside my car growling louder than the engine and radio for hours before he got bored and left. He shreds cords or whatever else he can get to in my garage. He also terrorizes my dog. She has been getting more defensive of our property ever since this dog has started coming over. She now runs into the road and will chase people away from our house. This is a borderline retirement community. We live next to a 90 yo lady and a 80 yo man just moved in across the street. Not to mention the rest of the neighborhood likes to walk or ride bikes up and down the road with the weather cooling off. She has never had these problems before and used to even go put herself in her kennel when the amazon people would pull in the driveway.

My garage door is also janky and if it is shut it will be unable to open unless my dad and husband beat it into submission and last time screws broke loose from the ceiling. The backdoor that goes through the garage is also janky. Sometimes it locks sometimes it doesn’t. You cannot tell if it is actually unlocked from inside and it can easily be pushed in without even turning the knob. I’m afraid the doorknob itself isn’t the issue and it’s the whole door because that gets expensive fast and with our boy on the way we are penny pinching as is.

My older brother also lives on the same block and we found out last week he apparently likes to come over and shoot my husband’s bb guns in the back yard (even though they get put up in the garage) and take my parents ladder out of our garage and leave it leaning against a tree, pull every fold out chair out, leave soda cans, and trash everywhere. Also loves to give out unsolicited advice about how I need to cut a living tree down. (All of which happened while we weren’t even home) He also went into our house through said janky back door, looking for us when my car was gone and there was no knock or phone call. To which when he finally decided to leave he left the backdoor open. I have talked to him about this since and how disrespectful it is. I informed him next time I’m getting police involved I do not care if we are family or not that is not normal family behavior by any means.

Sooo with all that context of everything that is happening I am looking for advice on cameras to put up! (And thoughts on fence gates)

My preferred cameras would have
-no monthly subscription
-solar powered or wireless
-an app that notifies me of activity detected
-can be rotated through app or have wide view
-night vision
-records activity
These cameras would face where our entrance is and the back of the house. I will need at most just the two.

I also need recommendations on what camera would be good to put up in our garage. I would like wireless if possible. Along with a camera that would view the two car garage.

On the gate I need recommendations on automatic gate openers as I’m sure thats what the hubs would want. Worst comes to worst we will have to slide it open.

Now be gentle with prices 😭. I understand safety has a cost but I am a heavily pregnant 20 yo. I do not have a budget in mind but I need quality assurance while keeping it as affordable as possible.

Thank you in advance! Sorry for being long-winded but I feel like these situations are threats on our lives and I’m never sure if I am just over doing it. 💙

I live in a tiny house. Its a rental. It has two very low windows that Im not sure open, but im sure they're low enough people can see in if they come into the yard

I say this because I had a peeping Tom yesterday. While I was...enjoying myself.

Is their something I can put over the windows that will let my pets see out while preventing people from seeing in?

Im contemplating a planter for cacti or roses directly under the windows but the windows are my only form of egress besides the front door in an emergency and I would like for them to remain unobstructed.

I've already had tp change the locks due to a break in (their was blood everywhere- the dog (who has previously ignored intruders) has apparently decided she bites now) damaging the old ones.

Again, this is a rental, so im limited in what I can do.

Hello,

My partner has a stalker who has broken into their apartment multiple times. We know virtually nothing about him, despite the fact that we have cameras in the home (they are eufy wireless local storage cameras, and we are pretty sure he messes with the wifi before entering). We are looking for a comprehensive security system (or individual components) for the home. Ideally the setup would be something that I could install now and also reinstall in a new location, as we will be moving ASAP. One brand I have been recommended was Ajax. Are there other brands or specific products that any of you would recommend? We would be interested in a setup that is at least partially off wifi, as we are pretty sure he has jammed the signals before entering before. We would like to keep the total costs under $1000, but if necessary we might be able to go over. Any assistance would be appreciated!

What are the thoughts around PoE camera systems for home exterior? Is Lorex the best option? I’ve had night owl, wasn’t a fan of the app but it could’ve been because I was using wifi and not PoE.

Recently installed a deadbolt to my only door, I have a doorbar if needed, and I have a German Shepherd aa well as a couoke small self defense tools. I don't currently own a gun because I do not have a reliable way to train with one currently, but I do have an outdoor camera monitoring my door all the time. Would be hard to break in through the windows because I live upstairs in a two story building, however my apartment complex is fully made up of poor people, druggies, etc. And theft, s*xual assaults happen here frequently and so on.

I am about to move into a rental so I don't think I can add a chain lock. This door leads to a second floor patio that is shared with a few neighbors so no easy street access. Someone would need to literally climb up from the first floor in full view of the street. But my neighbors who will share the space are strangers. And frankly, I'm a SA survivor so my trauma brain wants me to baracade this door.

Going on deployment want to put a hidden camera outside my house that I can access from overseas any recommendations

So this might be a little dramatic or I'm just being overly anxious but I had an encounter that left a bad taste in my mouth this past week.

For months we'd been dealing with late night doorbell rings but we never answer the door or look cause we've got 2 crazy dogs. I finally decided to install a doorbell camera and they almost completely stopped. I can only assume it was kids messing around before but that's not what this post is about.

Last week someone rang the doorbell while I was still in bed so I checked the camera and didn't recognize the man assumed it was a solicitor and went back to bed. I later asked my mom if she recognized him from anywhere and she said no. Come this past Friday the doorbell rings again in the evening so I check the camera and see it's the same guy, I decide I'll go and see what he wants assuming he's a neighbor who maybe needs something or will go away after this interaction.

Upon answering the door he looks shocked and asks me if I can go and get my dad for him(I am a grown man I know I look young though, my dad passed a couple years ago and I decided to stay at home with my mom for a bit so she doesn't have to stay here alone. My mom is also out of town currently) He proceeds to ask if I could get my mom I tell him no and ask what he needs. He continues to ask what I would consider far too many questions about who's living in the house like is it just me and my mom and tries to confirm it multiple times as I try to run him in circles not giving a direct answer. He says he's from the neighborhood and saw we have a lawn company and offered to take over for cheaper and pushes me to take his information. I asked him where in the neighborhood he's from and I just got a lots of "oh uhs" before asking "just around the corner or?" To which he says "oh uh yeah this street" which is strange because he left going the complete opposite direction.

I just have a bad taste in my mouth about the whole interaction and asking too many questions about who lives in the home. It felt like he was trying to determine if there was a "man" or someone he had to worry about. I just worry a lot cause I can't be here every day and night. Can someone tell me if I'm just overthinking this whole thing or if there are precautions I can take?

Of all your home defense items which are your favorite?

This may be a weird one, but here is the senerio: It is 2 Am and you hear someone breaking into your home. You watch them on your security cameras as they make entry. You are 99% sure from the footage that they do not have a fire arm. So rather than do what you should and sit back on defense you decide to push and clear yourself. You know the room they are in as the end of a lone hallway. Would saying the most deranged and psychotic things you can possibly think of as you walk down that hall way play into the intimidation factor? Something like, "Ohhhh, just thinking about licking your blood from my knife after I skin you is turning me on." Or something like singing a little jingle as you walk towards them, "Im gonna slowly gut you, do dah do dah, im gonna slowly gut you all while staring into your eyes yaaaaa!" What you say to make sure the intruder instantly is filled with immense amout of regret?

I have a very bad neighbor who probably uses the illegal internet jammer and somehow bypasses my wifi outdoor cameras and ADT alarm... the WIFI gets stopped and he breaks in. What outdoor security cameras do you recommend that's not Wifi dependent as well as home ALARM that's not Wifi dependent please.

TL;DR: Moving into our first house soon where a huge TV sits directly across from a front window with a clear view from the street (in a rough neighborhood). I’m hyper-vigilant about security (breaking down boxes at night, hiding valuables), but my wife is nonchalant ("we can just rebuy stuff") and wants the shades wide open all day for natural light. My worst nightmare is a break-in. So far, my plan is an automated shade schedule, daytime privacy window tint, and a security system subscription (which I hate, but need for peace of mind). Looking for advice on securing the TV/living room set up and bridging this security mindset gap with my spouse.

We are moving into our first home together in a few weeks, and I’m hitting a wall with a major security concern regarding our main living room layout—and how my wife and I are approaching it.
The Setup & The Security Gap
Our main living room window is large, sits right at the front of the house, and has a direct line of sight from the street. Directly across from that window is where the main TV has to go. It's a big TV, and we’re moving into a neighborhood where you definitely need to be mindful of property crime.
Here's the kicker: we both grew up in bad neighborhoods, but we walked away with opposite mindsets.
My approach: I’m hyper-cautious. I never leave anything in plain sight in my car, windows stay locked, and growing up, I’d literally break down electronics boxes and hide them inside black trash bags at night so nobody driving by knew what we bought. Being burglarized is one of my worst nightmares.
My wife's approach: She’s actually been burglarized before, yet she’s surprisingly nonchalant about everyday security. She doesn't always think to lock windows, loves having windows wide open for natural light, and wants the big TV right there. Her view is, "If someone steals it, it's just stuff—you can always buy things again."
To me, having a huge, expensive screen visible from the street with the blinds wide open is basically an invitation for someone to scope out our house.
My Current Mitigation Plan
Since moving the layout isn't really an option with the room's shape, here is what I’ve come up with so far:
1. Daytime Privacy Window Film / One-Way Tint: Applying a high-quality privacy film to the front window so she can keep the blinds open during the day for sun, but passersby on the street just see a mirror finish or dark reflection.
2. Automated Smart Blinds: Installing automated shades set on a daily timer (or linked to sunset) so they automatically close the second it gets dark out—which eliminates the risk of forgetting to close them when internal lights make the privacy tint useless.
3. Monitored Security System: I hate monthly subscriptions, but for my own sanity and peace of mind, I’m biting the bullet and signing up for a monitored home security system with entry sensors and cameras. Suggestions are welcome!
Questions for the Community:
Are there other physical layout tricks or anti-burglary steps I’m missing for ground-floor TV setups facing the street?
How have you handled security compromises with a partner who doesn't share the same level of caution without making them feel controlled or paranoid?

I really don’t like guns. I don’t like hearing them, shooting them, and the idea of killing someone even in self defense is gut wrenching.

My problem is that I feel like it is something that may need to be a necessary evil. I am anxious and get the what if situations. I will say I live in a decent neighborhood, but it’s not too far away from high crime areas.

I just don’t want to be in a position where I’d need to defend myself or my family and I’m not in a position to do so.

Any advice would be appreciated, or good alternatives. Thank you!

I’m renting and I can’t drill anything into the walls. I’d like to see what everybody’s security camera system is like, the costs, possible subscription costs, etc!

I live alone right now and I have a sixth sense on when bad things are going to happen - it hasn’t done me wrong yet - and I just want to see the options most people are using.

I live in a rental apartment and I’ve had someone enter my place several times since living here - I always lock up my bedroom everytime I leave the house and I’ve came back on 2 occasions where it has been open and the door handle seemed loose.

Firstly I changed my front door lock incase someone copied a key, after doing that I noticed my balcony opened up wide enough for a hand to unlatch the lock this was while being locked.

I paid a locksmith to come out and help secure the sliding door.

Since doing this I haven’t had anything strange happen until this morning at 10am I woke up hearing loud footsteps in my roof and a drilling sound! The only thing I haven’t secured is the manhole - I do live in Australia so yes it’s a thing.

Now I need to lock up the manhole and potentially get cameras because I’m really tired of this happening, anyone should have the right to feel safe at their home.

I do have some enemies - but mostly suspect it could be an ex boyfriend or one of my neighbours in the apartment building. The weird thing is they don’t take anything but want to have access?

If anyone can recommend manhole locks or cameras that don’t run on wifi, I really want to catch who is trying to break in and what they want! It’s very expensive and time consuming especially when I’ve already got enough stress to deal with.

I live in a country where firearms are banned. I want to have something for a worst-case scenario in my home; I am not a very muscular person, so I was wondering what kind of melee weapon would be a good fit for me: a small axe, a short sword, a simple knife, or a big stick?

Edit : I was thinking about a katana, I know Its very hard to master it but can I use it in a pinch?