OT/Attempted break in, how do I protect myself???!!

Debann, That is just too scary, especially you being home. We were broke into years ago but we were not home, we were wiped out, they took everything they could. I don't want to scare you any more, but the police told us that alot of times if they can't get in the first time, they will come back again and if they were in there and saw something they could not take that time they will come back to get it.  We put up security screen doors, window locks and dowling, dead bolts, and we invested in an alarm system that is monitored by a security company.  I now keep all sentimental Items and anything I would hate to lose in the bank and I don't keep any large amounts of cash.  I hope that this helps, I'm sorry if I scared you more, but you really can not be safe enough now days. Lyndee  

Deb - I'm SO sorry.  I can understand why you'd be feeling nervous.  I think everyone has made the same suggestions I would have made, but I justed wanted to say I'm sorry! Jules

I'm so sorry that happened to you.  You must feel so violated.  I would go with the alarm system..

I actually have an alarm system installed, but cancelled the service and disconnected it because my neighbors would complain the few times it was accidentally set off.  The same neighbors would call and complain if I left my security lights on at nite....they couldn't sleep.  I had the neighbors from hell, but they moved about a month ago, so I don't have to worry about their needs anymore.  They actually would call the sheriffs department about my security lights.   So, getting the alarm system monitored again would be good.  Even getting the door alarms that are triggered if someone jiggles the door handle would be nice.  I am really going to get a baseball bat and maybe something more.  Saturday morning I was so mad I just wanted something point at someone's head.   My curtains are sheer and I will get more substantial ones.  I am going to make an effort to put my sentimental favorite items some where else.   Since I have a house full of cats (yes, the crazy cat lady here) I won't have an inside dog, but Marvin (my dog) is home most of the time, and quite frankly, he does scare the devil out of most people, and if he hadn't been carousing that nite, he wouldn't have let anyone near. I really appreciate everyones input.  Thanks so much!!

Sorry this happened to you Deb. It is important to protect yourself and bring a feeling of security back into your home. I say what many others have said....go for the alarm system. I remember when I lived alone, this was very comforting to me.  I had two sensors one located in the basement and the other right outside my bedroom. If any movement went pass either the alarm would sound and I'd get an immediate phone call to ensure I was ok. I'd set the one right outside my bedroom and then go to bed feeling safe. If I needed to go to the bathroom or when I got up in the morning I'd disarm the sensor on the one outside my room and still feel safe.  The best part about the alarm was that it was free installation and only like $35 a month for the services. I think I actually felt safer just having the little sign in my front yard that they put up for you. Best of luck to you.

I do have one of those signs in my garage, I will put it out tomorrow!  Thanks!

I'm so sorry this happened to you. Everyone has said get an alarm and I agree with that. Don't worry about the neighbors your safet y is more important!  Big deal it is a little noise, discuss this with the security company, I am sure that they can suggest something.  I had a break in too (thank God I wasn't home) and for a good while it is scary and you do feel very violated.  I don't worry too much anymore, but sometimes I do think about it if I hear a noise or something.  If you decide to get a gun, my dad always told me to go for a shotgun - He said with small guns you might miss, but with a big ol shotgun you point and shoot, and usually the bad guy would run for the hills if not, point an shoot, no real need to aim too much!  (I think a shotgun is a must have in the country for other reasons like dangerous snakes).   I also would suggest keeping your charged cell phone at an arms reach.  This will help if the bad guy cut's the phone lines.  Security companies usually offer wireless security systems, which cost more, but cannot be rendered useless with a clip of the phone line. Also when you purchase new items, be careful of how you dispose of it.  Crooks look at trash piles and can see what new items you recently purchased and often plan to come back and take it. Is your yard fenced in?  Perhapse you can fence in the area around your house and to the road, this will keep your dog in and less attractive to prowlers.

If you get a security system ask for signs and stickers to place in your yard and on your windows.

Be sure doors are sturdy and strong.  If the top half is made of glass, they can break the top, reach in and turn the knob. 

For peace of mind, maybe ask a friend or relative to stay with you.  I feel more comfortable with a man in the house.  We used to have a male room mate and if my husband was out of town, I still felt safe.  Also when my husband goes out of town now, he usually goes with a co worker, and I am friends with his co workers wife, and we stay together until the guys return.  This may not be a long term solution, but can help while you get to feeling better about being there. Finally, I know not everyone is a Christian, but I have always felt safer, even as a child when I said my prayers before bed. 

 

~Kim

 

I feel you! I recently suffered a break in. I was the weekend before yours. I had come home a few days before and my back door was unlocked. Being that I am obsessive about keeping my doors locked because my mother has drummed it into my head. I knew there was no way I had left it that way and then sat night I found my medications were gone. I believe they had been in there at least 2 times. They were looking for drugs and boy did they get them. They emptied my oxycotin, oxycodone, viacodine and other prescriptions. It is a horrible sickning feeling knowing someone was in home, in my bedroom and going thru my things. I feel violated, scared, unsafe and a whole range of other emotions. I cried and was extremely edgy for 2 days. I had to take time off work because I didnt feel I could leave my home until better secured. I shiver each time I walk into my bedroom which is where they took my medications from. I'm just glad thats all they took. It could have been much worse.  The thing is that I've only lived here for 2 weeks and I can't even enjoy my new place. I changed the deadbolts, bought safety swing arms and 120 decible squawkers for the ground floor windows and keypad entry alarms by each door. I also found 2 of my 3 windows downstairs did not latch properly and had them fixed. Overkill? Maybe but I did as much as I could to give myself peace of mind that this wouldn't happen again and if it did that someone else would hear it of know about it.  Day by day it gets better. Going back to work and having friends support helped. I will eventually be ok but it will take time to once again feel happy and relaxed in my own home. I know how you feel!!!

I haven't wanted to leave my house, either.  I hate going to work and can't wait to get home.  I was looking at those squawker things tonite and wondering if they would help.  My windows all latch securely but I want something for my doors.  Thanks for posting.

I know exactly how you feel. I have missed going to the gym. It is on my way home from work but I just drive past some mornings because I feel the urgency to get home and when I'm home I like to stay there to protect my domain. I am really trying not to do this. I want my freedom, independance, confidence and life back! If you have an ebay account. I found a great deal on there. Lowes and home depot charge about $7 each for the window sensors but I was able to get 10 window and 2 door with keypad entry for $35. The window are 90 decibles and the door are 120.  You can set them to chime when you come in and out and then at night or when you go away you can set them to alarm and they are super easy to install for use single women who live alone.  If you need anything feel free to pm me and I'll help any way I can. Hugs and thoughts. Juli