Hardening the home

July 2026

We can’t make our home a perfect fortress. We can create a layered approach to safety. Each layer mitigates certain people or threats. The goal is to balance lifestyle, budget and convenience against our risk factors. This is for those spending less than $400.

Don't get picked.

Deterrents will make some people choose not to enter.

• cameras - I like locally stored video that never hits the cloud.

• “Smile, you’re on camera” sign

• "beware of dogs" sign - “Dogs” plural, so when they see your German Shepherd locked in a kennel or your chihuahua on the couch, they still have to wonder about the other dogs. It also shows them that their presence will be announced.

• ADT sign - It means windows and doors trigger alarms.

• a simple "no trespassing" sign

• nothing appealing - garage door closed if you have expensive toys; no indicators you have valuables; no gun stuff

• appropriate lighting in the right spots and facing the right directions (doors and windows lit, motion sensors, no dark spots to stage for a break-in)

The home in the photo above has a bush that obscures the view of lights, cameras, and anyone answering the door. It also potentially obscures a view of the door from the street.

Take no shit.

• peephole or camera peephole

• sound alarms on the driveway, doors and windows

• home defense weapons like a handgun, AR-15, Sabre Red Pepper Gel, and an impact weapon

• cameras - a subscription that saves it to the cloud and texts you a photo of the person at your door; wifi cameras; or wired cameras and a local DVR air gapped from the internet.

• a plan for your family - flee out the back door; hole up in a certain room; fight; go get the kids; etc