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Thread ID: 59351	2005-06-29 09:23:00	Burglar alarms	Mercury (1316)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
367971	2005-06-30 03:01:00	Monitored alarm costs $30 a month, free installation.And you can get sensors that ignore pets. You also get a reduction on insurence costs. How can you go wrong?	Metla (12)
367972	2005-06-30 03:06:00	... Physics ... I most humbly apologise for failing to research physics formulae and making such a statement. :o My thoughts are, and apparently the glazier has the same view, that if you have two stays, one each side of the pane of glass, then it becomes more than twice as difficult to use leverage to twist the frame and break the stays. Anyone ever tried it? Any burglars out there who would like to comment?	Mercury (1316)
367973	2005-06-30 03:13:00	Monitored alarm costs $30 a month . . . How can you go wrong? The tenants are students . They had enough trouble when we put the rent up a couple of months ago (still $10 to $20 below current market rent as it happens but they have been there 3 years and look after the place well) . An extra $10 a month may not be possible . And yeah, I know, wealthy capitalist landlords should pay it . Reality hit here - the bank takes most of the rent in interest on the mortgage . Rentals are a long term wealth solution not huge instant cash flow .	Mercury (1316)
367974	2005-06-30 03:25:00	Unless the window stays are required for ventilation then locks on the windows are far better . They can't get the window open then to apply their "laws of physics" to the window frame . If all the doors are deadlocked it is rather tricky trying to enter and exit through a window that is locked, especially with one's arms full . Unless they remove all of the glass, that is, and they will then be restricted as to what can be passed out of the window . As for alarms . . . I know of several households who have alarms which are often not armed when the house is vacant due to forgetful occupants . Two of those families live right behind us and both got done over whilst the householders were "away for half an hour" during the daytime with the alarm unarmed . Replace the cat with a yappy dog . :D	FoxyMX (5)
367975	2005-06-30 03:35:00	. . . to use leverage to twist the frame and break the stays . Anyone ever tried it? Any burglars out there who would like to comment? It still takes the same amount of force to break each stay . ;) If you are kindly providing a lever (window frame), but now limit the travel at both sides, I agree that this will make it more difficult to exert force for enough distance to reach the yield point of one stay . But don't the best burglars carry a prybar in case the householder isn't kind enough to provide leverage? A less well-equipped one (with patience) might rely on repeated bending of the stays to cause fatigue failure . But with the window broken, entry has been gained . A sack over the bottom bar might be the quickest way to avoid cuts . :( Physical pedantry aside, it's an unfortunate fact that burglars don't care how much damage they do in effecting entry . If they want to be in, they will get in . Deadbolts can be a help . If some valuables won't easily fit through windows, doors which can't be opened might help . A bit . Less force than generally believed is necessary to open a locked door . Again, you wouldn't use that amount of force to test your doors, because you don't want to do damage . But the burglar wants it open . So he'll use more force .	Graham L (2)
367976	2005-06-30 03:37:00	Quite funny really. During my extended years working for a demolition contractor I would have to enter locked buildings all the time for the purpose of pricing the demolition. Padlocks,doors, deadbolts,Even walls themselves only take from 5 seconds to 5 mintues to breakthrough or open. Most padlocks open with one twack from a claw hammer, A small Jimmy bar will open a deadlocked door in seconds, A steel capped boot placed in the right spot at the right speed will open just about anything. If a burgler was thwarted by security screen or any such other devices then he was simply in the wrong line of work.	Metla (12)
367977	2005-06-30 03:39:00	As for alarms... You've hit the nail on the head as to why we didn't put one in before. One of our houses has an alarm and tenants have never used it. However, in current state of paranoia I'd say it is a worthwhile investment in this particular house - they are worried about returning visitors in a month or two when items have been replaced with new ones. Also, knowing them I'd say they'd be reliable in setting it.	Mercury (1316)
367978	2005-06-30 03:42:00	One of our houses has an alarm and tenants have never used it.Take it out of that house and put it in this house. Problem solved. ;)	FoxyMX (5)
367979	2005-06-30 04:11:00	Another tip. Put a piece of tough Rimu or Totara pole about the shape and size of a broomstick into the track where the sliding door goes when it opens to help keep those pesky buggers out	bob_doe_nz (92)
367980	2005-06-30 04:43:00	Problem solved . My significant other half went to a locksmith to get a deadbolt . When the word "alarm" was mentioned said locksmith said "avoid the DSE one - they fault all the time and cost megabucks in batteries . " Considering how many smoke alarms we find with no batteries in them I can see who will be forking out for new ones . We also have issues somewhere else with a group fire alarm that triggers at the thought of toast . All alarms are now regarded as faults and ignored . We now have an "Alert" wired alarm sitting on the table waiting for a few hours to install . broomstick into the track An expert serviced the ranchslider 3 years ago, added bolts and it doesn't come out . Take it out of that house . . . And the tenants will leave, new tenants will come and want one . Labour costs (ie our time) would double . Not to mention the holes in the wall . Now if anyone wants to rent a 2 bedroom flat in Sandringham (never been burgled) let us know . That will give us Saturday back to install the thing .	Mercury (1316)
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