r/homedefense

I bought a home with a Cove security system. The previous owner (an LLC flip) said the owner before home didn’t pass on the information for it. The sensors and all that still work, but I am locked out of the panel. I would like to take it over instead of buying a new one. What do I do?

Been looking for a proper security system after getting tired of cloud-dependent system like Ring and SimpliSafe. Don't get me wrong, they work, but the monthly subscriptions add up and I hate hanging on their servers staying up.
Checked out ADT but their contracts are crazy long and expensive. Looking at Ajax now, since they seem more like professional-grade equipment, but without the huge monitoring contracts. The wireless stuff looks solid and I like that it can work independently.
Anyone been running Ajax for a while? How's the reliability compared to the big names? Is it worth making the switch from a basic Ring setup, or am I overthinking this?

There seems to be data on how often tasers and pepper spray manage to successfully stop an attacker, although different sources name different numbers.

I wasn't able to find such data on less lethal impact/kinetic rounds, be it about CO2 paintball markers or shotguns loaded with bean bags. I (and probs many other people) wouldn't want to depend on a weapon that hasn't been proven to be effective, and it seems like the arguments you see online in favor of the effectiveness of less lethal guns are mostly theoretical.

You can find footage of law enforcement using them, but those are anecdotes.

Does anyone have any statistical data on the matter? If so, could you share it?

Hello, I have very little experience with guns. I am looking to change that and get something to protect me and my family.

I may be moving to a more rural area soon. I am looking for a 1 gun solution for home invader defense as well as black bears, rabid smaller animals, etc.

Not sure if a long arm or a concealer carried pistol type deal would be better for this. And if so, specific gun recommendations would be great.

Thanks!

Renting a home in Fresno CA, and we have been here for about a month and a half. This morning I woke up to see 3 large oriental cockroaches in my bedroom. My question is, does this fall under an emergency? I called the landlord emergency line, they told me that this is not an emergency, and that pest control falls under the tenant’s care and that they can’t do anything because it was not on the lease agreement. Does this breach any California Law?

What are my options? We have video footage with face as well.

Location: El Monte CA.

I have decided that its not worth it to invest in a wireless alarm system that if not now, eventually will be able to be jammed. I think it would be better just to purchase a hardwired system that is mid-range and reliable. I am wondering if anyone has any recommendations of systems that they have used that are mid-range but reliable and provide security that can deter break-ins.

If it has alarms, buzzers, and sirens that actually prevent intruders that would be great, I know that there are a lot of options out there, but some branded systems can be really expensive, I just don't want to purchase a generic system from an online site like amazon or alibaba and not able to then get my money back or have a proper warranty in place.

I looked at Reolink, Wyze, and some others. I currently have Vivint. But I am tired of the monthly fees. However Reolink and Wyze dont have an alarm system. I want not just cameras but alson an alarm system but one without the monthly fee. Do reolink and wyze have an alarm system b/c I just see cameras. Am i missing something?

My front door setup is a joke right now. Just a dead old doorbell. Saw a post the other day about thieves cutting main power and internet lines before breaking in and now I am super paranoid. I definitely need a video doorbell with local storage but deciding on the install is killing me.

Do I bite the bullet and drill through solid brick for a POE setup or just get a solar battery cam? I am kinda leaning solar because if the house power goes down, the cam just keeps recording on its own. Anyone else build a setup for this kind of paranoia?

I'm a girl, working from home so sometimes I'm alone. There's a guy (looks like a fentanyl addict) who comes in front of the door often. He sometimes goes in front of windows. He stays there for a while, then leaves. The thing is that it freaks me out, should I do anything? Or just let it be. I have no idea what he does there.

I've been wanting to get something for a just in case scenario but here in Canada most circumstances will lead you o getting in trouble during a home invasion or the protection and defense of yourself, only things available here are non lethal paintball guns and maybe a tazer or bear spray, and for guns it takes quite a while to get your purchase and acquisition license which I am still in the process of Anny suggestions are highly appreciated!!

Hey everyone,

I’m trying to decide which video doorbell to get and could use some real-world advice.

Right now I already have 3 Wyze outdoor cameras around my house. They work… okay. Not amazing, but they get the job done.

Now I want to add a front door doorbell camera, and I’m stuck between:

- Wyze Doorbell (to stay in the same ecosystem)

- Ring Doorbell

- Eufy Doorbell (E340 dual cam)

Here’s what matters most to me:

- Reliable motion alerts (this is a big one)

- Good video quality (day + night)

- Easy to use app

- Preferably no monthly subscription (but open to it if worth it)

My thoughts so far:

- Wyze = easiest since I already have it, but not super impressed

- Ring = seems more reliable, but subscription cost adds up

- Eufy = looks like a good balance (no subscription + good features?)

Would you:

👉 Stick with Wyze since I already have it?

👉 Switch to Ring for better reliability?

👉 Go with Eufy as the “best overall” option?

Also, if you’ve used any of these, how has your experience been with:

- Notifications speed

- False alerts

- Long-term reliability

Appreciate any advice 🙏

Now I'm currently searching for the best long range driveway alarms that are sensitive, weatherproof, and effectively detect everyday activity like approaching vehicles, visitors, and intruders well before they reach the home. I want something with an impressive detection range, adjustable sensitivity settings, and that delivers instant alerts consistently without false triggers from animals or passing traffic.

I've come across several options during my research, but I'd love to hear about your personal experiences and recommendations. Some options I've been considering include:

• Guardline Long Range Wireless Driveway Alarm
• Chamberlain CWA2000 Wireless Motion Alert System
• Hosmart 1000ft Wireless Driveway Alarm
• Htzsafe Solar Wireless Driveway Alarm System
• Cass Ni-MH Long Range Driveway Alert System
• Rodann Long Range Driveway Alarm
• Dakota Alert DCMA-2500 Wireless Driveway Alarm

If you have any personal favorites or additional insights on these best long range driveway alarms or others that might be better for detection distance, weather resistance, and reliable everyday home security monitoring, please share!

Thanks in advance for any recommendations!

Hi there! I'm in the process of moving into a new place in a less nice part of town and am trying to figure out how to actually feel safe in this place. I grew up with my dad working as a security consultant and have dealt with pretty severe paranoid schizophrenia (currently remitted, thankfully) for years, so if I had unlimited time, resources, and owned the place, I'd turn it into a proper Ft Knox- but realistically there's only so much I can do to this place. Given that background I have some experience about keeping a low profile/standing your ground laws/securing door hardware, but a deadbolt isn't going to stop someone if they can just chuck a brick through the window next to it.

As much as I'd love the peace of mind of putting iron bars over them, the landlord probably doesnt want that so the best thing I can probably do within my means is keeping valuables out of sight. I try to keep the blinds closed as much as possible, but they arent a perfect seal since you can see through the edges. I thought about getting blackout curtains and keeping them always closed, but that also means sacrificing natural light.

More recently I have been looking at window privacy films and see there are a lot of options on the market now- specifically because this place is a rental and I can't make certain permanent changes to it, I have been looking at the window cling stuff, but it looks like most of the options I see aren't actually like "one way" film, but rather turns it into a "light can come through but you cant actually see out of your window" situation. I guess the criteria im looking at is something that's 1. removable at the end of the lease 2. im able to fully see through it, not just silhouettes and 3. a reasonable cost. I know a lot of "mirror films" turn reversed at night which isn't a huge deal, I can close the curtains at night, it would just suck to lose the windows during the daytime.

Alternatively I can just stick with getting blackout curtains- it just sucks because whenever the blinds are drawn you can see everything in a given room- not a huge deal right now because we're still in boxes, but I don't want outsiders peeking in and seeing valuables, let alone just seeing me in my room generally. We've already seen strangers standing in our driveway and an occasional car we dont recognize drive past slowly or be parked on our curb and while I dont want to assume the worst of people, I know there's always a chance they might be "casing the new tenants". I appreciate any tips y'all might have, on the windows or even just on making this place safer.

Posted else were seeing how i go here

Need to work this out

So at home i have a Eko home brand security camera its hard wired camera not that old also i have grid connect camera that i have on The other side of the house. Before i went away recently i made sure i set both cameras to record all the time motion on. How ever for some reason the grid connect is on but all the settings had been turned off

And the eko one caught video and a image at 3.31.16 am however the car in the image and the car that is in the video at identical times and dates are not the same car please help