We are going to be living on our homestead full-time in less than 1 month! DH will commute to nearby city till Dec. 2 nights/week.
Long time coming, lots of commuting from Chicago each week (4 hrs+ each way) but finally it is here.
We built what we thought was a pretty safe home - concrete, metal roof, and all laminated windows - (http://www.nari.org/homeowners/news/...ARTICLE_ID=31&)
and we made the builder comply with Miami Dade hurricane standards for all roofing and windows.
Types of safety glass
There are two types of safety glass available – toughened and laminated glass. Alternatively, glass safety film can be applied to existing windows and glass areas....
Safety glass label
Laminated glass
The high strength and unique design of laminated glass prevents it from shattering into large shards when broken. It is made from two or more sheets of glass bonded together with a flexible interlayer. In the event of breaking, the glass is held in place by the vinyl interlayer and forms a web-like pattern. The interlayer does not impact the transparency of the glass but will reduce damaging UV rays fading interior furnishings.
Laminated glass is your best option for security in the home. It generally takes two blows to break laminated glass with several further blows to create a hole. In contrast, toughened glass can be accessed with a single blow of a hammer.
http://www.build.com.au/safety-glass-requirements
We met someone yesterday- wonderful guy - who has had a place near us for about 10 years. He is slightly more secluded than we are. Retired, about 10-25years older. Wife died 2 years ago and no dog. Family all out of state.
HE TOLD US HE HAD BEEN BROKEN INTO 10 times in the last several years. They take everything. He lives there full time now but was like us, commuting to another location for a while back in the early 2000-2005 time frame.
He recommended we get a security system. He got one 2 years ago and even has it monitored with 3 options FIRE PANIC and BURGLARY. It ties into the police/fire nearby. But since we are both secluded, it takes a while for anyone to respond. You can cancel a PANIC call, but not FIRE or BURGLARY. He has 38 sensors in various places, but no cameras.
We have resisted this type of system as we just don't want to have others "monitoring" us. Once you sign up, they have records on you forever even when you stop the service. Didn't want the high profile that brings. And who knows WHO is monitoring you- did they vet the workers like I vet people?????
We had planned on trail cams for the driveway but didn't buy any from lack of knowledge of really good ones. Since we live here we no longer need the month long recordings on the type of cams we would buy. I also am considering a "driveway" alarm. They are buried and give you a warning from any motion on the driveway other than squirrels/cats/wood chucks. Not sure of good ones.
We have the place fully-lit with motion sensing really bright LED lights - no blind spots on house or pole barn. Seriously bright. Not sure his lighting plan.
We have a black LAB who will bark but not much else. Plan on a 2nd dog to help with animals/chickens next summer. Also going to get guineas for tick removal and their great alarm sounding ability. But that is next summer.
We are somewhat visible from highway (maybe that is why no attempted break-ins) but we have put in trees to minimize that sightline in the coming years. Our house is surrounded by annual trees - his are year round tall, mature, full pines -- very dense. We are set in a 7 acre natural clearing - he is in a created clearing. (I lurked on Google Maps to see his place).
Because we planned for a "tick free" yard (as much as that is possible) when we built, there are no bushes, plants or trees in our entire yard for over 400 ft in front and 200 ft in back and sides. Just grass. Very little cover for anyone.
I am wholly unnerved now.
I knew there were animals and of course everyone has a chance for crazies to come - but he is less than a mile away. Granted, he really is completely hidden from ANY view at all from the road and his driveway fronts on a dirt/farm access road 1 block from the main road.
We of course have guns that we shoot on the land and anyone within a few miles hears us practicing and all our neighbors practicing. An average weekend, if we are out in the yard, we hear pretty much continual sporadic shooting. But they are not closeby and we have not met most of them yet as we did not want to call attention to the fact we were not here 24/7.
We did have a large target set up in back yard - I will be setting it back up very soon- whenever our very welcome monsoons stop. Will likely put one visible in the front yard also (deterrent factor).
So thoughts, suggestions welcome. Also thoughts on security systems that are not $$$$$.
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