Geez, Susan...
OMGosh. Maybe it's time to hit animal control and find
two huge dogs with BIG LOW LOUD voices.

(((((Alisande))))))
do you have an alarm system?

That is unnerving. I hope the robbers have been caught by now.

Would you consider getting some kind of security system (or at least a big sign that makes it look like you have)?

Here is a link that might be useful:

That is seriously scary. A large dog is a great idea. In your situation I would definitely go to the pound and adopt a big, lovable, potty-trained dog. Big dogs have been known to scare away intruders many times by just barking. They don't have to be vicious, just protective. Can you tell I'm a dog lover? I know nothing about guns, though..
Vicki

I'd be heading to the pound today to get a big dog. The 'somebody' that told these thugs about 'the house with money' is still out there.

I hope you alerted the police to do a watch on your neighborhood!!
Me, I like bars on the windows wish I had a gun also and I like that sign!!

If you don't have an alarm system, see if you can borrow a sign.
Ditto with the dog - go get several "BEWARE of DOG" signs.
Hopefully the perps will be caught today.

OMG..that's scarey!! You probably need to do something for security! I heard that having a small INSIDE dog is better in a lot of ways than having a big outside dog, and more apt to scare off an intruder! There are too many things that can be done to an outside dog that would render them pretty much helpless (or dead). I know my 2 small inside dogs go bananas when they hear something outside!

If you can't get a dog, there is a cane like thingie that you put at the door and if it's moved, it barks like a big dog...I saw it advertised and thought what a great idea for eldery living alone....

Just last night DH had a call saying he had won a home security system...When they started telling him about it, they just happened to say, it would cost $1.00 per day to hook up with the local police...This free prize would cost $365.00 a year....We didn't take it but in your case, it might be worth it, just for peace of mind....

If you don't want to get a dog, get a sign. We live in a secluded area, and we've had this sign posted over our door for 16 years. No break-ins.

It's not an idle threat. We exercise our rights under the Second Amendment!

Oh geez Susan, beg, borrow or buy a large dog. Go to the Goodwill and buy the largest pair(s) of old work boots you can find, dirty them up and set them out at each entrance to the house. Install motion detector lights. Just do something! I'm going to be worrying about you all night and from this day forward.

Jodi-

That is way too scary! I'd be nervous too.

A home security system probably would not be that helpful. If Susan is on a dirt road in a rural area the criminals would be long gone before anyone showed up to help. Heck - I have an alarm on my vacation house and I'm only 8 miles from the police station but our police have to patrol a large geographic area and at night there's probably only 1 or 2 patrol cars. And they're always stuck dealing with shop lifters at Walmart. We did call them once and it took 20 minutes to arrive.

I do like the idea of motion detecting lights. We have them on our place in the mountains. But unfortunately they go off everytime a deer walks by and if you're sleeping and these bright halogen lights wake you - your first thought is that someone is out there. We have gotten used to them and tend to ignore them.

Ours are near the roof and we can also turn them on and off from inside the house. They light up a huge area too. But they are nice when you're coming home at night and you cross the sensor they come on and light your way so that you're not entering in the dark.

You can also put a sign up that's easily seen from the road with the name of a local security company - we have Vector Security and I think they also do your part of PA.

Susan it looks like a dog is your best bet - or 2. I'd be tempted to install a fence around my home so that the dog can freely roam in the yard. And with a fence you'll have the perfect spot to hang the 'Beware of Dog' signs. I'll have to think of some other things.

Please.... Please.... Please.....adopt a LARGE dog! or 2......seriously.....your scaring "me"!!!!!!

yes, when I was growing up, we were friends with the local
police chief. He said keep your BIG LOUD dogs inside the house. Works far better than leavening them outside.

Install dead bolt type locks on all doors. If you have sliding glass doors, put a metal rod in the track. Get a big inside dog or two and keep a baseball bat handy, along with a spray can of red paint, and aim for the eyes.A can of Raid will work good too from a long distance. Make sure windows are closed and locked.

Susan, that is truly scary. Lots of burglaries are done during the day when the burglars know people are at work, so be careful!! Can you ask the police to patrol your house whenever one of them is in the area?

And I second the advice about a large dog or w. Our huge lab scares the heck out of anyone who comes to the door unannounced. He lurks, then stands up and punches against the glass insert on the side of the door. The mailman said he bets we'll never have problems with burglars. :o)

Scary. Not sure what you can do if they have guns. Hide? Do you have somewhere you can go so they can't find you?

Wanda... Love your sign and glad to hear that you exercise your rights too! I'm licensed to carry and I do all the time. You never know what kind of trouble you will be walking into.

Alisande... I have 2 dogs inside. A little yappy one and a BIG yellow lab who is very protective of his humans and yard. Getting a couple of dogs will be a great idea to keep inside. Getting a gun and knowing how to use it, respect it will be even better. Let us know what you decide on.

Jodi- had a good suggestion with the boot. Get a can of that long-range wasp spray and keep it by your bed. Maybe you can blind them before they can get to you.

A small yappy dog behind a door can scare intruders away sometimes but a home invasion is WAY different then a "regular home robbery". Do the police have any suggestions for protection?

If possible, replace all of the srews to the hinges on your exterior doors. The small 1 inch ones that come with hinges are not long enough to protect against someone kicking in the door. Get the LONG 3-4 inch ones and drill them all the way into the studs around the door frame. Also, there are special hinges you can get that have a little "metal thingie" that kind of locks the door in place and protects against people kicking in your door. You can do these improvements yourself, you just need a drill for the screws- it is WAY HARD to hand screw in a 3 inch screw!!!! Get the screws that are strong, steel or something, so the head will not strip- also if you can pre-drill the hole with a tiny drill bit, you will have an easier time getting the screw in.

We did both of these at the domestic violence shelter where I worked. I may not stop them, but it will at least cause them to make more noise and maybe wake you up in time to get in a closet or the bathroom. Also, try to figure out a way to keep a phone in the bathroom or another "safe room". You shouldn't have to worry about this in your own house but you do!

Be safe and keep checking in so we will not panic!

Description of the safety hinges-
# With the door in its closed position, a stud attached to one leaf of the hinge projects into a hole in the matching leaf
# Hinged side of door cannot be moved, even with hinge pins removed, because the stud prevents the leaves from being slid apart

Website on home safety and hinges:
http://www.statefarm.com/learning/be_safe/home/burglary/learning_besafe_athm_burg_hing.asp

It's not an idle threat. We exercise our rights under the Second Amendment!

Well and fine to exercise the rights we have and I applaud your determination to do so. I am and have been a person to own and use many different weapons including firearms. I have my license to carry concealed weapons, valid in 33 states. Like my Am EX card I never leave home without it.

I however would like to advise of some things many just may not have thought of pertaining to having such signage posted and using a firearm.

1. It does make potential intruders aware that there are firearms in the home. Therefore potential intruders intent on their purpose will exercise more caution and all the weapons in the world will not stop them if you are not aware they are there. A firearm in that case is useless.

2. A violent home invasion is usually a fast and furious blow in. Meaning suddenly and surprise. More oft than not the invader has all the people in the home under control with in seconds of entering the home. If you do not have your firearm on your person or very near to hand it is useless.

3 A burglar will be extremely quiet and many of them are usually unarmed. They sneak in while people are asleep and are gone in a matter of minutes with jewelry, money, weapons and whatever valuables can be found in minutes. If by chance you should awaken and find the burglar ransacking or leaving your home it is imperative you do not shoot him without cause. Shooting an unarmed burglar is against the law, shooting anyone as they are retreating/speedily exiting (in the back) from the home, is against the law and if you do not feel your life or the life of another is in danger shooting an intruder is against the law. You can be arrested, jailed, fined and sued in civil court by the person you shot or (if you are like me & shoot to kill) the surviving family members of the now deceased intruder. Go Figure!

Having a firearm for home and self defense is a very sound idea for many of us. Anyone who considers getting a firearm for this reason should first explore all options available to protect the home and self before resorting to a firearm. First by securing ALL doors and windows with good locks and unbreakable glass. Having ALL doors and windows alarmed. Having cameras and recorders on motion detectors going. PHONES available in every room, a cell phone, emergency light system and a power backup system for times when intruders may cut power and phone lines.

A Neighbor hood watch program is not snoopy people but concerned friendly neighbors keeping each other safer in a scary world. Be aware of who your neighbors are and their normal schedule, what they drive. If you see something suspicious check it out from the safety of home and/or CALL the POLICE. Any Police department will tell you "We would rather check out a false alarm than a crime scene."

A safe room is how many people find peace of mind these days. If the possibility of harm by intruder is especially frightening to you and the thought of a weapon is abhorrent
the safe room can be found for single and multiple person uses and with the capability to keep safe for days those people inside.

A canine deterrent may be beneficial as a warning/alert something is up but don't count on them for protection and defense. Dogs can very easily be subdued.

If AFTER all the other ways and means to provide a safe and secure home, you still wish to have a firearm, by all means check out a local gun shop. Ask questions of knowledgeable people. Learn the variable laws of owning and carrying a personal weapon in your state. BEFORE YOU BUY Take a firearm safety class. Find a gun shop with a range where they allow you to use a few different weapons to see what fits you best. Apply for a concealed carry permit. Buy medical insurance for injury and make out a will because many people who have a firearm for self defense end up getting shot with their own weapon.

There is considerable expense in all of this but very much worth the cost for your peace of mind and security.

The ramifications of shooting and injuring or killing someone in the legal, emotional and spiritual aspects are clearly something you need to discuss with an attorney, psychiatrist, and your deity of choice.

Safe and secure with or without the gun in my hand or home.
Lil

liljunkr, your post was excellent! Thank you for posting this thought-provoking information.

DH and I are responsible gun owners, and quite proficient in their use. DH is a former Marine expert shooter. We have a dog; keep our bedroom door locked; and a .357 next to the bed. If someone breaks into our home in the middle of the night, we will not hesitate to protect ourselves.

Again, thanks for sharing this valuable information!

Thank you lil. Good information for us all.

Home invaders use the element of shock and surprise, thereby rendering the victims, immobile! Dogs can warn though, which gives people a minute or two, to take defensive measures. Until then, keep something, can of spray, weapon, something, nearby. I would suppose the police would be more present in the area, due to recent events.

Robbers aren't as worried about security systems as they are of dogs. I had an Irish Setter at one time. Someone came in through the garage and called out "hello" > My husband was out of town and I thought he got back early. I was on the other side of the house, the dog was upstairs. She came flying down the stairs barking like crazy and nearly jumped through the closed dining room window. I was too scared to even look out the window. All I know is, she never behaved like that before or after so I figure she saved me from an unpleasant experience. My advice, get a dog. A medium size dog with a big bark will do. The perpetrator will never even see the dog. Keep us posted.

Dottie

I think it depends on which state you live in. You can shoot and kill someone coming through your door in Kentucky if you feel threatened. They don't even have to be inside your home. Shoot someone in Nevada in the same situation and it could ruin your life, even if the person isn't killed. Make sure you know the law in your state before you try and protect yourself in your own home. It's a sad situation when you can't even feel safe in your own home or do what you need to survive.

If you don't want to get a dog at least get a large dog bowl and a thick chain that you tie to a post to let people think you do have a dog.

Susan - The gun thing is up to you, but as a senior with a disabled husband, I'm thinking about a German Shepherd. Loyal and protective.

I'd also contact the local police and let them know that you are there alone and they might do some drive throughs, and that if you call, they better get there fast.

Look up "castle doctrine" on the web. Interesting information. (Goes into different states laws.)

If the intruders have half a brain, they will realize they have been reported. It wouldn't be very smart for them to invade the same road and take the chance of getting caught and convicted. Obviously I hope they never rob again, but if they do, I would think they would go far away from their original break in.

What I'm thinking , If they are attacked by one dog, it could be shot or hit by their gun. (Chances would be good my little dogs would bark at them and then welcome them with a lick. I do have a lab outside that might cause them to rethink their plan tho.)
I'm sure there are things you can do to protect yourself besides finding a new dog. Your very resourceful and smart, I'm sure you'll come up with something that will help you feel safer. Hopefully they have moved on, realizing your area has the heads up by now. They didn't have a good plan in the first place, they are amateurs looking for fast cash and sellable goods it seems.

Here is a link that might be useful: a few home invasion tips

Castle Doctrine states

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1724222}}

I hope and pray you aren't alone out there. I can tell you we used to live on a dirt, country road once and I had two guns--one hand gun and a .22 rifle. I learned how to use them, too. The .22 wouldn't have been much help probably, but that handgun would've. I was just a better shot with the .22 :-)

Susan??? You there???

Hopefully she's busy shopping for a dog, some boots, some signs, lighting and a man. LOL

WOW--I am blown away by all this wonderful concern and information. I'm at work....I've been reading every post as they come into my email, but haven't had time to respond. I don't have a lot of time now, either, but if I don't finish I'll write more from home.

I talked to the State Police twice today; I called them, and then a trooper called me. I don't know if he realizes that I was his wife's Girl Scout leader many years ago, but I'm sure he recognized my name as he used to know my daughter. He was very nice. He said they've got a lot of coverage in the area (four houses were hit last night), and the perps would be really stupid to come back. But he admits they seem rather stupid, and desperate as well.

As my son said, this is a wake-up call for me to evaluate my security. I've always known it was rather minimal, but I felt safe in what used to be essential a break-in-free area. Plus I always had big dogs in the house. This is the first time in 42 years that I've been without a dog. They really did add to my feelings of safety.

I'm not about to run out and adopt on an emergency basis, though. One reason is I want to take my time and find the dog I'm meant to be with. Another reason is what Toni mentioned. It would be horrible if I took a dog for the purpose of protecting me, and that dog got hurt or killed.

Nor have I made a trip to the gun store. Lil, that was a great post. I used to be quite comfortable around guns. We did a lot of target shooting, and had multiple rifles and handguns. But I sold them all when my husband began to fail mentally, and it's been years since I held one in my hand. Before getting a gun, I'd really have to think it through.

I haven't read the links yet, but I will when I get home. Maybe for the first time I'm actually grateful to my annoying neighbor for lighting up his outbuildings like a prison yard. I'll have my own outside lights on tonight, and my bedroom door locked.

Thank you, all! Back later.

I like the big dog idea too, but its quite a commitment. As you can see, they get into mischief and can steal things off the kitchen counter!

Good morning! I'm still here...... :-)

Good morning. I hope you got some rest. I know stress and fear are not conducive to good sleep.

LIL

Hi Susan!
I know you always had a dog, and you must feel lonely, and now vulnerable without one. I have no doubt you will get another, but as you mentioned, you need "the right one."

I remember seeing a friend a few years ago, and she had a Rottweiller. This was her second one, and he is far different than her first. This one was a big suck (he was licking me to death.)

She wished he were more aggressive, and was telling me of someone that came to her door to try and sell something. He wouldn't go away or take No for an answer, and in fact, He *put his foot in the door* so she couldn't close it.

Her (original) Rotty was upstairs and he heard from her tone of her voice that she was not happy. He came thundering down the wooden stairs and made such a racket. The guy turned and ran.

That's the kind of protector we all need.

Yes, Susan ... but did you sleep??? :-)

I remembered at about 3 this morning that I forgot to tell you to make sure and replace the screws in the latch plate to the door also- not just the screws to the hinges!

I was going to say running out and adopting a dog to solve a short term problem may not work. You need to find a dog that's meant to be with you and will protect you. In the short term, there's no guarantee the dog will provide immediate protection because they've not had time to acclimate to their new home and truly call it theirs. Be careful with this option, take your time to pick the right dog and train it well. That's the best way to manage it.

As far as weapons go, please....please.....PLEASE make sure you enroll in hangun training before having a weapon in your home. You need to learn to safely operate your weapon. If you can, enroll in some one on one classes to learn how to manage yourself in an emergency. Go to the range and shoot it....a lot. Get used to your weapon. A lot of folks may have a weapon for self defense but it can EASILY get used against you.

For the record, I have a 9MM and a .22 handgun in my home and have a concealed carry permit. Just in case you all think I'm spouting nonsense.

Dogs are great. But, if someone was breaking into my house, I prefer a gun. Anyone with a gun can easily shoot your dog.

Oddly enough, I slept very well. I think it was a combination of getting up very early that morning, staying up rather late last night (because I was on edge), and the unseasonably cold temperature--"good sleeping weather."

Jasdip, that's the way my Angel was. She was a Briard, the breed Thomas Jefferson brought from France to guard his sheep (or something). Angel never bit anyone, but she was extremely protective of me, and let people know she meant business. She even "spoke sharply" to my son once, when he was a young teenager. He had picked me up, and I was yelling, "Put me down!" :-)

Janie, I appreciate the instructions, but I'm wondering if it's worth doing since the upper half of my front and back doors is glass. All they'd have to do is break it.....

Dees, I know very well that you're not spouting nonsense, but not to worry. As I mentioned above, I used to have a close familiarity with guns. I did a lot of target shooting with a .357 (and ear protection) and various other guns. In fact, before terrorism reared its head, I used to take a rifle with me on the plane to Florida so I could target shoot with my dad.

But it's been quite a while since those days, and I'm not at all sure I want to get a gun at this point. Maybe yes, maybe no. I need to give it some thought.

Thanks, all!

You are right, glass in the doors make it almost useless. We have glass in our current door and I hate it (at least they cannot fit through the glass holes but they could use it to get to the knob)! I like the metal doors with the little peek hole. You might want to invite a police officer over to give pointers on what you can do to make things harder for people to break in. Think prickly holly bushes under all the first floor windows, etc.

Janie - changing the lock to a deadbolt would solve the problem of someone breaking the glass to reach the doorknob. With a single deadbolt you need a key to unlock one side while the other can be unlocked by turning the knob. But if you have a double cylinder deadbolt then you need the key to unlock either side. In the event that you need to get out of the house quickly you should keep a key near the door to use in case of an emergency. Not out in the open where anyone can see it but if you have an entry closet you could hang it there.