/r/homedefense

Photograph via snooOG

Anything related to defending your personal Home & Family.

Residential alarms, security cameras, lighting, door & window fortification, and locks. Firearm selection, Safes, and proper use. Safety plans, preparation, tactics, 911 response. Panic room/Weather shelters, Utility outages. Trespassing and No-knock warrant discussion.

Warning: This sub doesn't offer comforting sympathetic "thoughts & prayers." You will get construction criticism to improve your Home Defense set-up, weapons & tactics.

Anything relating to defending your home and family.

Including, not limited to:

  • Home security system information
  • CCTV cameras
  • Outdoor lighting
  • Entryway fortification
  • No-knock warrant discussion
  • Panic rooms
  • Safes
  • Safety plans

Four D's of Home Defense:

  • Deter
  • Detect
  • Delay
  • Defend

Rules

1) No referral links

Posts that contain referral/affiliate links will be removed and the poster might get banned without warning. Amazon links are okay, but Amazon links with a referral tag in the URL are not!

2) No spamming / astroturfing

Accounts that are only used to post links to a specific website (online store, tech blog, etc.) or YouTube channel will be banned on sight. Online store/review links are okay, unless it looks like that's mostly the only thing you do on reddit.

3) Reddiquette

We follow the guidelines of the Reddiquette, so insulting, flaming, trolling, etc. are prohibited. Hate and bigotry will note be tolerated. Respect others, even if you disagree with them.

4) No link shorteners

Use the full URL of the page you are linking to. This includes goo.gl, youtu.be, amzn.to, bit.ly, and others.

5) No illegal activity

Posts and comments should not promote illegal activity. Since laws vary between geographical regions of the world, consideration will be taken as to where the illegal activity is promoted. In cases where no locality is specified, the laws of the US, Canada, UK, and Australia (where most of our users reside) will be taken into account based on reasonableness of the activity. When a violation occurs, the burden is on the user to prove that the activity is not illegal, citing a credible source.


Contribute to the sidebar!
Message the mods to suggest content


Please check the Wiki

There are lots of useful posts and insights on the wiki.


@CCTVExploits


Outstanding posts:


FAQs


Basics


Advanced


IP Cameras


Wiring


Further Media


NVR


Related reddits:

Anything relating to defending your home and family.

/r/homedefense

105,894 Subscribers

63

Is it legal to have a robotic device with motion sensors shoot rubber bullets?

37 Comments
2024/12/01
11:46 UTC

6

Best Trail Cams or Outdoor Hidden Cameras

What is the best outdoor camera or trail camera to use that is very subtle/easy to hide? It can't be obvious, so the red night vision lights can't be too bright, and it has to use an SD or Sim card (no WiFi, must be battery powered/wireless). Context below!

I have a stalker who has come into my home TWICE, but police cannot do anything without proof he is harassing me. I have cameras inside my house, but this most recent incident is making me think I need new ones.

Camera #1 (which is facing my front door) went offline for around two minutes, no error message provided. When I opened the feed for Camera #2 in the next room over, it was still active and I could faintly hear my front door open, then a prolonged beeping noise lasting about 4 seconds (no idea what it was, if you have any ideas or could listen to it and tell me what you think it is, that would be great), then silence for the remainder of the 2 minutes, and finally the sound of my porch door closing. Now, my cameras will shut off for short periods of time, and come back on without giving me any kind of error message. They are the Google Nest cameras, and they use WiFi so I assume the person doing this is shutting off my WiFi by getting into my breaker box (it has a lock) and turning off the power, so the modem/router/whatever it is called is forced to restart. That is my best guess at least, I honestly have no clue how he is doing it. There are no unknown devices on my Google account, iPhone, etc. Any and all ideas welcome regarding anything written here!

0 Comments
2024/12/01
03:09 UTC

11

Security camera Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals 2024?

Hey guys, I’m building a home defense system and looking to add some security cameras during the Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals. I’m considering Arlo, Ring, or Nest Cam for indoor and outdoor coverage. Which system is the most reliable for home defense, and where can I find the best deals on these during the sales? Does anyone have experience with systems that work well in low light or have motion detection? Thanks! 🔍🔐

Update: Thanks for all your suggestions and insights! I also did my own little research and made a list of the best security camera black friday and cyber monday deals this year:

Best security camera Black Friday deals:

3 Comments
2024/11/30
05:31 UTC

1

Camera coverage

0 Comments
2024/11/30
03:12 UTC

21

Mirrored film for outside of window?

I have a crazy neighbor who’s sabotaging all my security efforts. He shines his floodlights right into my cameras. He’s put up lots of flags and banners to set my motion alerts s non-stop.

Most recently he’s added a motion light that is set off by his banners that goes on and off every few minutes with the wind. The light shines right into my window. I’m looking for mirrored window film that is meant to be applied to the outside of a window. The inside of the glass is textures, so that’s not an option.

Any ideas? I can’t seem to find a product that’s meant for outside the home.

32 Comments
2024/11/29
20:16 UTC

0

Someone broke into my house and my dogs didn’t not bark but were scared and whoever broke in was in the bathroom for an hour!

I live with my three sisters we rent a home. We have two big dogs. I went out with my friends and one of my sisters lives downstairs and was home getting ready for bed. I left at 8. My other sister came home around 11 and texted me asking me who was home. She said when she got home someone was in the bathroom and had turned on the shower. When I left my house my bedroom fire was closed and the door leading to the bathroom in my room was also closed. My sister said she got home and my door was cracked open so she peeked inside and saw no one and that the bathroom door was closed. The dogs seemed weird and especially my dog would not go into my room even with the door open. She is a pillow princes and loves my bed. She said she went downstairs and woke my other sister up and asked who was home and she replied no one that me and friends went out. She assumed it was one of my friends even tho i didn’t text her letting her know anyone was home which I would have. She said she waited for an hour for them to leave the bathroom and thought about asking them if they needed a towel or anything just being hospitable but she never did. She felt kind of weird because they were being super quiet and turned on the bathroom fan as well after they turned the shower off . She never heard the bathroom door open and she ended up falling asleep. I came home around 2 am and my door was open but the bathroom door was still closed I opened it and realized the fan was still on as well as the light and I thought it was weird that my sister would fall asleep with all that on. I also saw that the door leading to my room from the bathroom was also open. Which my friend said the closed and I know they did. I went to sleep and did not talk to my sister until this morning and realized someone was in the house. Some key points- I let my friend park their car in the driveway so in total there were four cars in the drive way making it very clear people were home to outsiders. - my dog would not go into my room and wanted to sleep in my sisters room and seemed scared trying to curl up on her chair and sleeping in front of her door all together avoiding my room. They did not bark and they bark at everyone even my friends but after they bark and smell they love and will be in your face especially guests.- since we moved in random things have gone missing like a bra, a pair of shoes, face masks and money and we were blaming it on eachother but we have realized we aren’t stealing each others things. I also found an earring in the house on the floor in front of the back door that didn’t belong to any of us.- the back door has a code to get in so we are wondering if they know the code. They have to know our schedule to know only one person would be home in the basement when the drive is full of cars! People are saying it could be someone we know because the dogs didn’t bark but we have a Very small friend group and hardly let people over let alone give out codes. If you have any ideas pls let me know. We have changed the locks and disabled the code and will buy cameras. I asked the neighbors for footage but both of their cameras were off.

16 Comments
2024/11/29
06:51 UTC

11

My home defense

I have finally finished my home defense "plan". I am using home assistant for everything.

I have unifi cameras with IR lights for night time. If a person or car are detected then my outside lights turn on, both my bed side lamps come on and my TV comes on with my cameras on the screen. My locks lock automatically when I turn the alarm on.

When I am gone, I get notifications for person/car detected, outside light come on, inside lights come on. If a door is opened or motion inside the house then I have an inside alarm that sounds.

Still trying to figure out for during the day and alerts though.

18 Comments
2024/11/28
21:00 UTC

3

Best 68 cal ammo for co2 launchers

So, I have less lethal launchers from Umarex (a HDR 68 and a HDB 68) and a Byrna LE. The Umarex launchers are all tuned. The first thing I did when I got them is try to find the best kinetic projectile to get the most out of them. I bought a chronograph and built my own penetration tester. I bought 3g, 4.5g, 7.3g, 7.7g, 9.9g, 12g, and 20g projectiles/riot balls. I bought solid rounds and shaped projectiles. Using regression analysis I came up with a formula for optimal penetration based on ammo mass. It turns out a weight of 8.4g solid round gave the deepest penetration plus still work in the widest range of launchers. I had some made and tested them not in the math world but in the real world. They are the BOMB! I get the most out of my launchers with these 8.4gram projectiles. I had many manufactured, made a company and I call them “the Smasher from Less Lethal Ballistics”. Hopefully there is interest. This really is a better mousetrap. Please give me as much feedback as possible. I will use it to refine my message and overcome objections. Thank you.

24 Comments
2024/11/28
19:52 UTC

1

What can I do with Vista-10SE security system? (re: I'd like to upgrade/connect it to Home Assistant software)

I moved into a house that has an older Vista-10SE security system. Can anybody give me a recommendation to upgrade it or connect it with Home Assistant?

I probably don't need a subscription to an alarm service but I just want to monitor the door/window/presence sensors. (I guess it would be nice to always have the flexibility to connect an alarm service though?)

Pictures: https://imgur.com/a/security-system-ewXZYqw

Can anybody give me any advice?

1 Comment
2024/11/28
17:39 UTC

2

Concealed/built in glass break sensor

I am building a house. I am having the window factory build in and conceal open/close sensors. Is there something similar with glass break sensors? I can only seem to find vibration ones that stick on the glass or sounds ones that you mount somewhere. I'd like to avoid having anything visible, so ideally something that the window manufacturer can build into the window frame. Thanks!

3 Comments
2024/11/28
13:39 UTC

19

Teen man of the house needs help

There have been thefts going on in my area and last night only 3 thieves went infront , and from side of my house. They didn't do anything but one day someone might do try to break in.

So out of all the houses in my neighborhood, mine is the biggest.. which makes it the perfect target one day.

I have some cameras but they are of potato quality. I have a dog but its all bark no bite, infact i believe it will start playing with the thieves if they break in.

My house has two main gates, one is in the main street and another in a street which belongs to us only .

And it has a large open area too like garden or lawn.

I want to get hold of some usable weapons, good quality cameras ,prolly a good German shepherd , Fence wires with current in them etc

Please tell me ,how do i defend my home.

I forgot to tell that im a 16yr old boy , my father is in the military and i live alone with my mom. So basically im the man of my house. And im really serious about this.

Thanks for reading, make sure to leave ur opinion without hesitation. Good day.

16 Comments
2024/11/28
11:39 UTC

6

Looking for an NVR

Hello, I am currently on the market for a new NVR (Prefrence is Dahua or Amcrest NVR)

Current Cameras ~ 4x Amcrest IP5M-B1186E ~ 5MP 20fps 1x Amcrest IP5M-VB1286EW-AI AI ~ 5MP 20fps 1x Amcrest IP2M-866W ~ 2MP 30fps 1x Vivotek IT9380-H ~ 4MP 15fps

What would be a good NVR that would support these cameras at the resolution & fps listed above. Looking for 2-4tb of storage (have a nas that i upload footage too so 2-4tb should be sufficent. Appreciate any help given, Cheers!

4 Comments
2024/11/26
21:08 UTC

2

Outdoor camera - Cold winters, wireless, human detection, local storage+some remote recording?

Helping a family member get equipped for his home . Here are some bullet points:

  • For Canadian outdoors = cold winters
  • Looking for 3 cameras, one per entrance, on top of doors
  • Video quality = whichever can help recognize an intruder if needed
  • Night vision
  • Mobile app ideally
  • Local storage on memory cards, but also an option to have a part recorded when theres motion.. incase the intruder steals the camera? so Local storage + home network wifi cloud? no clue here..
  • Wireless - both for wifi and for energy (solar + long lasting battery if that makes sense during winters)
  • No monthly subscription

TIA!

11 Comments
2024/11/26
18:20 UTC

0

Make sure nobody leaves valuables in an unattended shopping cart!

1 Comment
2024/11/26
04:18 UTC

5

Abron NVR, need cameras

I have an Abron camera NVR (model B087F37G15). I bought it off Amazon. It's a 32 channel NVR. It did not come with Cameras. I was able to add my Smonet NVR to it (all 8 channels), but could not add the smonet cameras individually. I also have IP cameras from Corsee, but they won't connect either. I would like to purchase additional cameras for the Abron system, but am having a hard time finding cameras that will match. Does anyone know how to find cameras that will match up?

1 Comment
2024/11/25
20:35 UTC

14

Deaf gun owner

Hi! Does anyone have suggestions for home defense, particularly at night when asleep? My concern is not hearing someone breaking in and having them already right at bedside when I wake up with no time to reach the pistol.

45 Comments
2024/11/25
13:58 UTC

2

Outdoor lighting

Looking for outdoor lighting recommendations. It has to be soffit mounted and available in black. Motion detection isn't required as I'll be using cameras and other sensors to trigger the lights.

Edit: clarifying. I'm looking for security lights. Already have govee all the weay around.

5 Comments
2024/11/25
00:52 UTC

0

Is pure sine wave required for a POE NVR camera security system?

Buying a UPS for my LOREX NVR POE camera system. Amazon basics has a 1500va on sale right now.

(Amazon Basics Line Interactive UPS 1500VA 900 Watt Surge Protector Battery Power Backup, 10 Outlets, Black)

My concearn is that it is a "simulated" sine wave. How sensitive will my system be to this?

Do I have to have a "pure sine wave" UPS?

8 Comments
2024/11/24
19:35 UTC

1

Recommend me REOLINK PoE outdoor camera for Black Friday? Any to stay away from?

Building a new house that have 4 outdoor PoE drops. REOLINK seems to be a consensus top recommendation, but there are sooooo many models. Are they all good? Any particular models to stay away from or are all good with this brand?

4 Comments
2024/11/24
17:47 UTC

0

Reliable for home defense?

Hi guys, I’ve been lurking around this subreddit for some time now, we just received this toy as a gift so I wanted to ask you guys,.. would this be a reliable tool against intruders? It is a Western Airguns rattler long rifle .45?

Any suggestions maybe? Thanks in advance!

15 Comments
2024/11/24
11:53 UTC

50

New home defense idea: Aztec Death Whistle

Let’s say you and your family are upstairs sleeping and somehow you hear someone sneaking around down stairs. The intruder is probably nervous themselves about what they are doing as they know they could get killed/jailed.

As a first line of defense you could blow an Aztec death whistle and possibly just scare the intruder out of your house without having to use any weapons.

Please look up the sound if you are unfamiliar, it makes your hair stand up for sure.

This would also just create a psychological edge you could gain.

51 Comments
2024/11/24
05:50 UTC

12

Best anti-theft tracker?

I have a lot of expensive outdoor holiday decor and there’s been some recent thefts in the area. What gps tracker would you recommend? I was thinking of Apple air tag but saw it’s not great for anti-theft since it beeps or alerts the person with the item that they’re being tracked.

11 Comments
2024/11/23
20:16 UTC

1

Home Security Alarm

Very weird and dumb question I know but I’ve never had one up until I moved into my current house.

It’s a Doberman Security Alarm on the inside of my door with an on and off switch. If I turn it on, will the alarm go off anytime the door opens? Or only if someone breaks in?

Like if I leave the house will it go off, or if I come back and unlock it with my keys, will it go off? Just not sure how it works so any explanation would be great.

1 Comment
2024/11/23
19:54 UTC

4

IP Camera help

We recently purchased a home with an outdoor camera but the previous owners did not provide any instructions aside from a web link which is unresponsive. I finally found the Ethernet coord running from camera hookup in attic down to the basement utility room where our internet equipment is setup. I plugged directly into the Orbi router and a camera device becomes visible in the router dashboard. However when I enter the ip address into a browser it is unavailable. Any suggestions on how to access this thing? Not sure of make and model, camera is 2 stories high and sloped surface makes it tough to access with ladder.

4 Comments
2024/11/23
14:42 UTC

5

Upgrade options for old house alarm panel

Hello,

We bought an old house and I'm looking to understand what type of alarm panel we have.  

Can you identify it?  

I'm looking for information about expanding it, upgrading it, adding modern tech, updated communications, better home integration, phone app, etc.  

I've read the specs on Honeywell Vista hardwired boards and all the nice features they have with newer Tuxedo keypads, internet, wireless, cellular, home integration, etc.  

Honeywell Total Connect looks interesting.  Or a SEM module?  

Can I use what I have? Or should I replace the board with something newer and go from there?

Looks like they added cellular, a wireless box, an expansion panel down below.  

Alarm companies around here make things too confusing and secretive about what options we have.  

Any advice and links are appreciated.  

Thank you

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1 Comment
2024/11/22
19:35 UTC

4

Hinges with permanent pins?

I have a door that I'm trying to make it harder to open. The door has a lock but the hinges are on the outside and the pins can be popped. It's not an exterior door and I'm not looking to fortify it any more that I just don't want the hinges being popped off easily. I'm seen some options but a little confused. Anyone have anything they would suggest? Not looking for anything too expensive.

7 Comments
2024/11/22
01:15 UTC

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