Don't tell me how to feel. We have been burgled. I know exactly what it felt like.
It still doesn't make me want to live as though my house were a fortress.
I'm not you, and I don't feel the same way as you. Perhaps some other people don't feel the same way either.
Daniele
Maybe you have f*ck-all to nick? BMW outside, orange boxes inside.
Asking them to close the windows and use the alarm (that they wanted fitting) is not asking a lot.
It's their mentality of only doing that when they go on holiday that drives me mad.
I can see how it would, especially if they asked you to fit the alarm in the first place.
Obviously you want them to be safe, but in the end, if they just don't feel moved to act in a certain way, I don't see what will be achieved by trying to force them to - at worst it will alienate and upset them.
Having had parents myself, I can confirm that obstinately refusing to be persuaded to do what their children think is best for them is simply their standard operating mode. When they begin to co-operate meekly is the start of another stage in their lives, but no-one wants that to come too soon.
So in answer to your original question, I would suggest something soft and forgiving, like plasterboard. If you don't have children already you can upgrade it to something even softer, because you will need it for them too.
Finally, one day it will be your turn to make your children bang their heads, so you might as well pass the wall on to them when the time comes.
Daniele
Have you tried punching him in the testicles?
I think that sums it it very sucinctly. Parents are happy. It's ARW with the problem but it's a problem we all suffer from.
It might be possible to steer them in the "right" direction, lack of forced entry invalidating insurance (point at the clause in *their* policy) or the balloon trick might get them to shut windows lock doors.
Getting them to set the alarm I don't think you will ever win. That's a habit thing and unless it is very easy to do it just won't develop. "Easy" being nothing more complicated than a keyswitch by exit dooor(s)(*). A code into the panel away from the exit door or even keypad by door(s) is too complicated.
Oh and don't tell the insurance company about the alarm 'cause if they get burgled, even with forced entry and it's not set they won't be covered.
(*) But they would leave the key in it...
If there was, or had ever been a spate of burglaries in their area which they would have found out from neighbours or the local papaer then their attitude might change.
However, presumably there haven't been, and quite possibly will never be for reasons that can only be guessed at, as burglars work in mysterious way.
Modern alarms are "high tech". Anecdotal evidence with video recorders suggests that a large number of users were never able to operate the programme timer and so never used it. The same goes for lots of "high tech" - both hardware and software the majority of users never use most of the "features" at all. Simply because they can't understand them and are afraid of trying for fear of making things worse.
Burglar alarms are so designed so as to make it near impossible for even a knowledgable burglar to switch off. Your parents know that, doubtless as a result of you telling them, and they have already had one burglar alarm "mishap". So they don't want to use it preciserly because if it trips accidently (as far as they know) they're going to be made look foolish in being unable to switch it off, and be shown to be "making a fuss".
Do they not like dogs ?
michael adams
...
You won't, because you are approaching the problem incorrectly.
Firstly, get rid of the alarm (leave the bell box with flashing LED up, preferably put the name and logo of a local alarm company on it). It has little practical value, diverts attention away from real security and gives the insurance company an excuse not to pay if there is a break in.
Secondly, assess security and put in place things which will make that house less attractive than the neighbours. Make sure doors are strong and access to the back is difficult. Have good fencing and plant spiky plants around the perimeter. Make sure the front door is visible from the road if possible..
Most burglary is done by dopeheads who gain access through a door or window, ignore any alarm, and are out again within a few minutes. Alarm false alert rates are so high (98% or so) that the police (and usually the neighbours) don't respond to bell only alarms without there being other evidence their are people on the premises.
Security is always a compromise between giving easy access to those living in the house and denying it to those who don't. Alarms are the classic poor solution. They impose irksome restrictions upon the occupants yet have little deterrent effect. The aim is not to make the house impregnable but to make it less attractive to a thief than those around it.
Good security is transparent, the occupants shouldn't need to know it exists. Hence securing perimeters not by barbed wire but appropriate plants. Make sure side gates are stout, close easily and have good locks. Make sure front, back and especially patio doors are sound and again have good locks. Fitting extra locks to things like patio doors is a poor solution as it requires several actions to open and close the doors - all doors should have a single point but secure locking system fitted.
With a two ring security approach you first put an outer perimeter which whilst not wholly secure should put people off trying to force their way through. That's is the purpose of the fence plus prickly and thorny plants such as Berberis . Even older varieties of blackberry such as Thorny Parsley Leaved are effective (modern hybrids less so as they have been bred for minimal thorns). Similarly stout side doors prevent quiet access to the rear so most scrotes give up at that point and go raid next door instead. Low hedges and fences usually give better protection than high ones because passers by and neighbours can see over them, which makes the scrote more vulnerable. They are looking for opportunity and time. they want to get into a place then work away unseen.
The second line of defence is the house itself, and as I have said, concentrate on making everything transparent to the user. You shouldn't need to set two locks and two bolts on each door when you go to bed if proper locks are fitted in the first place. Good physical security is always a better deterrent than alarms.
Is the alarm one they have to put a code in? Perhaps they might use on they just press a button on a remote for? Or maybe not.
Tell them their insurance isn't valid if they leave windows open. You could ask local crime prevention to pay them a visit too.
In article , ARW writes
Threaten to put them in a care home.
In article , ARW writes
I have exactly the same thing with my mum.
They see it as high technology and are frightened of it. They'll be worrying about what buttons to press to shut it up if it goes off.
Years ago, I used to fit simple key-operated alarms. Oldies could cope with inserting a key to switch it on and off - no codes to remember or buttons to press.
tim..... spake thus:
Someone once smashed a window in my _unlocked_ car to gain entry, then stole the _non-working_ stereo out of the dash, ignoring the replacement unit sat on the seat ready for installation. Scrotes just ain't got it.
How does the scrote know which is working and which isn't? Surely the one in the dash is the working one and the on on the seat the bust one about to be binned. B-)
Of course a scrote with four times the normal half a brain cell would have taken both.
Where's the "like" button gone?
Or tasering them?
Tasered With 50,000 Volts =96 For Having A Screwdriver In His Pocket
Like the time I got burgled and they took a £20 flashgun and left the £1000 worth of nikon lenses and cameras behind.
...the flashgun was then converted into a stungun and they robbed a few million quid from a security van which meant they could buy as much camera gear as they wanted.
Fur coat and no knickers. I lost count of the number of houses I was in during the late
60s/early70s where there would be a nice car outside and no carpets on the floors. That was the start of the stripped-pine look, and all it was, was that people had skint themselves buying up houses out of their own affordability and couldn't afford to furnish properly, thus making a virtue out of a necessity (in other words, pure bullshit).HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.