Household Security Discussion

[Athos65]

Honestly, it's all about good locks and not doing anything silly. I grew up with old people and they had better street smarts than my parents. I have the b.s. detector of someone from the 1910s.

The rolling pin helps, of course.

 

[HoveringWombats]

I got my first cameras about 15 years ago, and I've been through most of the major consumer brands since then (though I have not tried Blink). In the past several years, I've had a mix of Nest, Ring, Wyze, Logitech Circle, and Ubiquiti. Some others before that. Honestly, they all have their pros and cons. One consideration that I think people don't always give enough thought to is the variety of types of cameras and mounts that the brand has.

For example, because of some limitations of our house, I really want to be able to have a camera mounted in the window by the front door. I also want to have a camera integrated with some flood lights we have. Neither of those types of cameras are available in all brands (I think you could find a way to mount a camera of almost any brand in the window, but some are easier than others, and it's more than just sticking it in the window because you need a way to keep it flush and block out the light from behind to avoid reflections from inside).

Right now I mostly have Wyze, which to be honest are pretty terrible and I probably don't recommend them (I doubt I'd buy them again if I started clean). The things they had going for them is that they had all of the camera and mounting types I wanted, they were cheap, they have memory card slots so I could do both cloud and local storage, and the cloud subscription had a single subscription that covered all of the cameras. I have a lot of cameras, so the plans that require you to pay per-camera get expensive quickly. But I don't really trust Wyze as a company, the software is bad, the image quality is mediocre, the "AI" alerts are laughable, and basically it's a clear case of you get what you pay for.

I also have a couple of the Ubiquiti UniFi cameras. Those are great, but it's really an entirely different product category, and is aimed at a different audience. It's not a plug-and-play consumer device like Nest or Ring. But I think I will gradually transition most of my cameras to that system and away from Wyze. Still not sure how I will deal with the flood light in that setup, though.

Big disclaimer here, so calibrate my thoughts vs. you own stance accordingly: I am not a very paranoid person. Either about home security or about "privacy" in the sense of having video stored in the cloud. I don't feel like I need a bulletproof fortress of security, and I don't care if my video is stored in cloud servers (though it helps that none of my cameras are actually inside my house). If you feel strongly about these things in a different way, you'll probably make very different choices than I have. Though the Ubiquiti stuff is actually pretty decent in that it can be hard-wired, and store only locally in your house if that's what you want.

Anyway, that's my two cents.

 

[COSCitizen]

I live in a quiet, relatively prosperous neighborhood which has a nicely diverse demographic, including retired people and people with kids of all ages. There are lots of ex-military here as well and just about everyone has at least one dog.

So this discussion is making me realize that what I want is a camera so I can observe our dog in the side yard, and a front door camera where I can view someone at the front door without them knowing that I am home. I don't mind answering the door to neighbors, but I really abominate solicitors, especially since these days, they are mainly scammers as far as I am concerned. I have signs up, but they either can't read, or think that pushing boundaries is acceptable.

 

[Athos65]

I got my first cameras about 15 years ago, and I've been through most of the major consumer brands since then (though I have not tried Blink). In the past several years, I've had a mix of Nest, Ring, Wyze, Logitech Circle, and Ubiquiti. Some others before that. Honestly, they all have their pros and cons. One consideration that I think people don't always give enough thought to is the variety of types of cameras and mounts that the brand has.

For example, because of some limitations of our house, I really want to be able to have a camera mounted in the window by the front door. I also want to have a camera integrated with some flood lights we have. Neither of those types of cameras are available in all brands (I think you could find a way to mount a camera of almost any brand in the window, but some are easier than others, and it's more than just sticking it in the window because you need a way to keep it flush and block out the light from behind to avoid reflections from inside).

Right now I mostly have Wyze, which to be honest are pretty terrible and I probably don't recommend them (I doubt I'd buy them again if I started clean). The things they had going for them is that they had all of the camera and mounting types I wanted, they were cheap, they have memory card slots so I could do both cloud and local storage, and the cloud subscription had a single subscription that covered all of the cameras. I have a lot of cameras, so the plans that require you to pay per-camera get expensive quickly. But I don't really trust Wyze as a company, the software is bad, the image quality is mediocre, the "AI" alerts are laughable, and basically it's a clear case of you get what you pay for.

I also have a couple of the Ubiquiti UniFi cameras. Those are great, but it's really an entirely different product category, and is aimed at a different audience. It's not a plug-and-play consumer device like Nest or Ring. But I think I will gradually transition most of my cameras to that system and away from Wyze. Still not sure how I will deal with the flood light in that setup, though.

Big disclaimer here, so calibrate my thoughts vs. you own stance accordingly: I am not a very paranoid person. Either about home security or about "privacy" in the sense of having video stored in the cloud. I don't feel like I need a bulletproof fortress of security, and I don't care if my video is stored in cloud servers (though it helps that none of my cameras are actually inside my house). If you feel strongly about these things in a different way, you'll probably make very different choices than I have. Though the Ubiquiti stuff is actually pretty decent in that it can be hard-wired, and store only locally in your house if that's what you want.

Anyway, that's my two cents.

When you say "window by the front door" is it a separate window, or is it that glass panel American houses have on each side?

 

[HoveringWombats]

When you say "window by the front door" is it a separate window, or is it that glass panel American houses have on each side?

Glass panel windows (multiple panes) on each side of the door. Not part of the door itself, but visually part of the door assembly. It's an old house, so it's not a whole modern door assembly with sidelights like you might see in a newer house, but same general concept. For me this basically replaces the function of a smart doorbell, at least in the sense of being able to see who is at the door.

(And yes, since this is the household security topic, I acknowledge the risks that sidelights pose.)

 

[Athos65]

Glass panel windows (multiple panes) on each side of the door. Not part of the door itself, but visually part of the door assembly. It's an old house, so it's not a whole modern door assembly with sidelights like you might see in a newer house, but same general concept. For me this basically replaces the function of a smart doorbell, at least in the sense of being able to see who is at the door.

(And yes, since this is the household security topic, I acknowledge the risks that sidelights pose.)

I have NEVER understood those glass panes. We have them, and I despise them, but the HOA doesn't let you change the door set up because of "aesthetic unity", or some such claptrap.

Such doors are not something that I grew up with because back home people believe in solid doors and, when possible, "rejas" or metal bars on doors and windows. They're meant for security, but we make them look pretty.

Of course, I changed all the locks because on top of a glass pane at lock level, the locks that are usually installed are the sort you just flip with your thumb and index finger. Someone wants to break into our house, I'm making them work for it... And today, if my back and hips cooperate, we are installing another camera across the front porch pointing at the doorway. If we don't get a face walking one way, we'll get it the other.

 

[HoveringWombats]

I have NEVER understood those glass panes.

I mean, every home security decision is a tradeoff, right? At one end of the spectrum, you leave your doors and windows wide open for anyone to come and go, and at the other end, you live in a windowless concrete bunker. You just gotta figure out your own risk tolerance to figure out what you're comfortable with.

I like having the light, as well as the visibility of what's going on outside my front door, that I get from having the windows. They are a weak spot in my physical security, but they're not the only weak spot (no, I'm not going to give the internet a complete list of all of them ), and I don't think that in my specific situation getting rid of them would make a huge difference. There are just too many other ways to break in if someone wants to get into the house. So I accept the (what I consider slight) increased risk in exchange for light and visibility (which has its own security benefits).

But everyone has to look at their own situation and decide what is best for them!

 

[Athos65]

I mean, every home security decision is a tradeoff, right? At one end of the spectrum, you leave your doors and windows wide open for anyone to come and go, and at the other end, you live in a windowless concrete bunker. You just gotta figure out your own risk tolerance to figure out what you're comfortable with.

I like having the light, as well as the visibility of what's going on outside my front door, that I get from having the windows. They are a weak spot in my physical security, but they're not the only weak spot (no, I'm not going to give the internet a complete list of all of them ), and I don't think that in my specific situation getting rid of them would make a huge difference. There are just too many other ways to break in if someone wants to get into the house. So I accept the (what I consider slight) increased risk in exchange for light and visibility (which has its own security benefits).

But everyone has to look at their own situation and decide what is best for them!

I grew up in a VERY old house; it had shutters, that was it. The verandah and the balcony were open. There was no gate in the front porch.

Apparently, when a certain toddler (names will not be named) began displaying a stubborn inclination for climbing (trees, furniture, anything even remotely vertical) the windows got rebars put in to prevent accidents and the front porch was enclosed. We literally only had keys for the iron gates...the doors and windows had old mahogany bars (painted white to match) to secure them at night.

When I moved to the suburbs with my parents, I was confused by all the keys they had. Front, back and side gates and front, back and side doors. The windows in my parents' house (a nice little ranch with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a terrace in a nice little up-and-coming neighborhood) were the sort used in hurricane-prone areas. My parents didn't put irons bars on the windows until someone broke in through one of them (aluminum...bendy!); before that they got a guard dog (German Shepherd that scared the bejeezus out of everyone), and the creature was drugged by the next set of burglars...cheese puffs with something in them. The dog was re-homed and the bars were installed.

Our house is filled with light...my husband (grew up in SoCal) LOVES windows and sunshine, but there are sensors on the windows (battery-operated in case someone thinks cutting a wire or messing with the wi-fi will knock them out), and if anyone tries to climb in through one of them, they will create a tremendous amount of clatter. I can sit downstairs and look at the garden (Lord knows we spend enough time working on it so we might as well enjoy it from indoor when the mosquitoes arrive in full force!) from one side and the (formerly) lovely tree line that will now obscure a new residential/commercial development on the other.

We have a dog...she only barks when she's outside doing the Twilight Bark with the other dogs; as far as we know, if a prowler shows up, she will point at her treats and say "give me one of those, and I'll ignore you."

I have military training (at the time we used arrows and arquebuses), but I'm not comfortable with a weapon in the house. I'd rather prevent a break-in.

I am also that neighbor who knows EVERYONE by sight, and can tell if their schedule is off. Call me nosy, but I'd rather know who belongs and who doesn't. I will text people if someone distinctly odd is around. Case in point, a couple of years back we had a guy walking into the wooded area wearing a suit, carrying a backpack. I took a picture and sent it to the neighbor across the way (his mom is alone with the children during the day, and they were toddlers then). Earlier this year, said neighbor sent me a text message: do you remember the "woods guy"? I said yes...he texted back "doesn't he look like the guy they've arrested about the home invasion that resulted in the murder of a teacher?"

He did. He does. I'd rather know even as I enjoy my second cup of coffee watching the birds and enjoying the sunshine on the branches of the trees. I'm not panicky, but I'm vigilant.

 

[COSCitizen]

Understanding trade-offs are important. Like @HoveringWombats, I have no interest in living in a bunker. I feel that living in a diverse, prosperous neighborhood on what is essentially a cul-de-sac a mile away from the nearest main road is a fairly low risk area. We have a rural area about six miles to the east of us where I would absolutely be a lot more concerned about living alone as an older person. The person I know who lives there has big dogs, and as far as I know, has not had any problems.

One thing I do insist on is garaging our automobiles at night. We had a break in to a car parked on the street when we were in college, and later, in another neighborhood a few years later, I had my car stolen from in front of the house. There was on-street parking only, and I was scanning the street in case I had parked in somewhere beside my usual spot when the next door neighbor came out and said he had seen me park in my usual spot the evening before. We reported the car missing and a park police officer in an unmarked car noticed some kids in a car who didn't know how to drive a stick transmission and ran the plates. He called for backup and followed the car until the kids abandoned it. Fortunately, there was no damage to the car beyond them having popped the ignition column. Turns out that model of car was a favorite for joy riding teenagers.

 

[Athos65]

Understanding trade-offs are important. Like @HoveringWombats, I have no interest in living in a bunker. I feel that living in a diverse, prosperous neighborhood on what is essentially a cul-de-sac a mile away from the nearest main road is a fairly low risk area. We have a rural area about six miles to the east of us where I would absolutely be a lot more concerned about living alone as an older person. The person I know who lives there has big dogs, and as far as I know, has not had any problems.

One thing I do insist on is garaging our automobiles at night. We had a break in to a car parked on the street when we were in college, and later, in another neighborhood a few years later, I had my car stolen from in front of the house. There was on-street parking only, and I was scanning the street in case I had parked in somewhere beside my usual spot when the next door neighbor came out and said he had seen me park in my usual spot the evening before. We reported the car missing and a park police officer in an unmarked car noticed some kids in a car who didn't know how to drive a stick transmission and ran the plates. He called for backup and followed the car until the kids abandoned it. Fortunately, there was no damage to the car beyond them having popped the ignition column. Turns out that model of car was a favorite for joy riding teenagers.

Our car sleeps in the garage. We make sure to take it out for a spin once a week. I am admittedly a homebody (but, of course, it comes from growing up in a household of old people who took the cars out once a week...except my uncle...he went to work everyday...)

This neighborhood we're in is quite diverse, I'm happy to report, but...very few people our age. Most of the people are young couples with small children. I've reached the invisible stage of aging, but haven't yet emerged as a "isn't that old lady just adorable/creepy/weird/scary".

My husband, poor dear, came home one day all up in arms about some younger person offering him help carrying things to the car. I told him to be grateful...I go to the grocery store and unless I make a HUGE fuss, no one notices me...ha ha...

If I had my druthers, I'd be sitting outside reading all day. But these days one wonders how safe it is to have a measurable routine. People with ill intent can be very observant.

 

[Athos65]

By the by, has anyone heard about this app popular among Japanese people? It's intended for people to check in so their loved ones know they're still alive.

 

[PayrollNerd]

My neighbor owns an electrical company and I asked him years ago what security system was good. He said he doesn’t do a lot of them but truly the biggest deterrent is lighting. I keep the front exterior lights on 24/7. They are LED bulbs on either side of my garage door plus my overhead front porch light.

In my front yard I have decorative solar lights, mainly so some dingbat doesn’t trip over the raised garden beds. Plus two on the pine tree, circled in red.

In the back yard, every other fence post has a solar light on the inside post that faces down. This keeps them from annoying the neighbors and allows me to see the foster dogs at night. I also have 3 motion detector flood lights that are hard wired.

 

[Athos65]

I have to say, I am a fan of our solar motion-detector lights in the backyard. Our HOA has very specific requirements for carriage lights, but I put a string of pretty powerful lights out on the front porch...and they have a remote control. I can turn them on from upstairs.

We have those timers for lights around the house, and I change the schedule every few days...just so the pattern isn't the same always.

 

[HoveringWombats]

One thing I do insist on is garaging our automobiles at night.

I'm a big believer in this too. Never a fan of the idea of using the garage for storage and parking the cars in the driveway or street. Unfortunately, we currently live in a situation where we have two cars with a one car garage (and no feasible way to expand it), so we just have to live with having one in the driveway. But it drives me nuts, not just for security but also for wear and tear on the car that's always sitting out in the elements.

 

[flp]

I recently discovered Tapo cameras, excellent quality and app. it doesn't require a subscription, but I chose to do the yearly subscription (not expensive) because the cameras seem to work better and faster with the subscription and if your cameras are tampered with or taken the video will remain on the cloud.

 

[Athos65]

Last night, in my post-menopausal sleeplessness, I thought "why aren't there sensors connected to doorbell or security that either flash a light or buzz strongly enough to be felt?

If anyone here wants to work on that and patent it...