Opinion about suburban house security.

[Ext User(Spokes)]

My father doesn't think he needs to improve security about his home.

He and Mum live in a weatherboard house in the northern suburbs of
Melbourne. They are both 83 yo.

There is no front fence and gate ( he knocked those down 20 years ago)

Access is open for anyone to walk right round the house. There is no
side gate or fence blocking their way.
The house does have a remote monitoring alarm system costing $30 pm.
Dad thinks that is enough security.

What do users of this NG think? Is he crazy?

I want your opinion.

[Ext User(Warren)]

On 30 Jan 2006 04:19:24 -0800, "Spokes" <spokesman123@hotmail.com>
wrote:

>My father doesn't think he needs to improve security about his home.
>
>He and Mum live in a weatherboard house in the northern suburbs of
>Melbourne. They are both 83 yo.
>
>There is no front fence and gate ( he knocked those down 20 years ago)
>
>Access is open for anyone to walk right round the house. There is no
>side gate or fence blocking their way.
>The house does have a remote monitoring alarm system costing $30 pm.
>Dad thinks that is enough security.
>
>What do users of this NG think? Is he crazy?
>
>I want your opinion.

A fence wouldn't keep out a determined burglar and would only conceal
him from the street while he's lurking around the house.

An alarm sounds pretty good. Is it "back to base"? Is there a sign out
the front saying that the place is fitted with an alarm?

[Ext User(Rod Speed)]

Spokes <spokesman123@hotmail.com> wrote

> My father doesn't think he needs to improve security about his home.

He's right.

> He and Mum live in a weatherboard house in the
> northern suburbs of Melbourne. They are both 83 yo.

> There is no front fence and gate ( he knocked those down 20 years ago)

And they arent allowed in quite a few suburbs anyway.

> Access is open for anyone to walk right round the house.
> There is no side gate or fence blocking their way.

Neither will stop anyone who matters.

> The house does have a remote monitoring
> alarm system costing $30 pm.
> Dad thinks that is enough security.

He's right and its arguably more than he needs.

> What do users of this NG think?

That he's right.

> Is he crazy?

Nope. Thats how almost everyone lives with the exception
of the remote monitored alarm and side fences and gates
and front fences too wont stop anyone who matters.

> I want your opinion.

Well you cant have it, so there.

[Ext User(Peter)]

"Spokes" <spokesman123@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1138623564.305489.314400@g43g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> My father doesn't think he needs to improve security about his home.
>
> He and Mum live in a weatherboard house in the northern suburbs of
> Melbourne. They are both 83 yo.
>
> There is no front fence and gate ( he knocked those down 20 years ago)
>
> Access is open for anyone to walk right round the house. There is no
> side gate or fence blocking their way.
> The house does have a remote monitoring alarm system costing $30 pm.
> Dad thinks that is enough security.
>
> What do users of this NG think? Is he crazy?
>
> I want your opinion.
>


Make sure the alarm is set up with a panic switch in case of any medical
emergencies.
Don't put bars on the windows and doors as this will stop them climbing out
when they accidentally start a fire in the kitchen.
I guess they know the neibours after 20 years.
Also make sure the alarm is set up so they can use it at night when they are
alseep (most have a partial mode).
:-P

[Ext User(jg)]

"Spokes" <spokesman123@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1138623564.305489.314400@g43g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> My father doesn't think he needs to improve security about his home.
>
> He and Mum live in a weatherboard house in the northern suburbs of
> Melbourne. They are both 83 yo.
>
> There is no front fence and gate ( he knocked those down 20 years ago)
>
> Access is open for anyone to walk right round the house. There is no
> side gate or fence blocking their way.

About the only use for a fence is to keep the dog in. The alarm might be
worth it, otherwise just being home is possibly the best defence.

[Ext User(Spokes)]

The alarm is a back to base type with a panic switch. I've got them
thinking about ditching the wall phone and getting a special cordless
unit with large buttons - this will be handy if they become bedridden
and unable to get to the phone to make a call, etc.

sure a fence is not much use to a serious offender. When the old lady
is out the back at the clothesline, having a fence and gate will help
more psychologically more than anything else. besides, i don't like
stray animals off the street using the backyard as a toilet.

[Ext User(Rod Speed)]

Spokes <spokesman123@hotmail.com> wrote:

> The alarm is a back to base type with a panic switch. I've got them
> thinking about ditching the wall phone and getting a special cordless
> unit with large buttons - this will be handy if they become bedridden
> and unable to get to the phone to make a call, etc.

Unlikely that they would both become bedridden at once.

Its more of a problem when there is just one of them, and even
a cordless isnt much use if they have a fall, which is very common.

The best approach is a button they wear around their neck, but
I could never get mine to wear it, he appeared to decided that
it was too much of an admission of how much he had deteriorated.

He wouldnt even wear it after one serious fall that put him in hospital.
He was lucky that it wasnt that far away when he had that fall.

> sure a fence is not much use to a serious offender. When the
> old lady is out the back at the clothesline, having a fence and
> gate will help more psychologically more than anything else.

Is that your opinion or hers ?

> besides, i don't like stray animals off the
> street using the backyard as a toilet.

That doesnt happen much, they normally use the front lawn.

[Ext User(ben.aust@gmail.com)]

Spokes wrote:
> My father doesn't think he needs to improve security about his home.
>
> He and Mum live in a weatherboard house in the northern suburbs of
> Melbourne. They are both 83 yo.
>
> There is no front fence and gate ( he knocked those down 20 years ago)
>
> Access is open for anyone to walk right round the house. There is no
> side gate or fence blocking their way.
> The house does have a remote monitoring alarm system costing $30 pm.
> Dad thinks that is enough security.
>
> What do users of this NG think? Is he crazy?
>
> I want your opinion.

I agree with other posters. A fence is counterproductive as it reduces
the visibility of the yard as do trees and shrubs. Most house owners
try to conceal their house with fences, trees etc for privacy, but this
makes the house more attractive to thieves.

Your parents are obviously security contious having a monitored alarm.
They could consider putting in motion sensor lights if they haven't
already done so.

[Ext User(Peter)]

"Spokes" <spokesman123@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1138701472.750332.267300@g49g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> The alarm is a back to base type with a panic switch. I've got them
> thinking about ditching the wall phone and getting a special cordless
> unit with large buttons - this will be handy if they become bedridden
> and unable to get to the phone to make a call, etc.
>
> sure a fence is not much use to a serious offender. When the old lady
> is out the back at the clothesline, having a fence and gate will help
> more psychologically more than anything else. besides, i don't like
> stray animals off the street using the backyard as a toilet.
>

Don't "ditch" the normal one as cordless phones don't work if the power has
been cut.

[Ext User(Peter)]

"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:449sfbF15321U1@individual.net...
> Spokes <spokesman123@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > The alarm is a back to base type with a panic switch. I've got them
> > thinking about ditching the wall phone and getting a special cordless
> > unit with large buttons - this will be handy if they become bedridden
> > and unable to get to the phone to make a call, etc.
>
> Unlikely that they would both become bedridden at once.
>
> Its more of a problem when there is just one of them, and even
> a cordless isnt much use if they have a fall, which is very common.
>
> The best approach is a button they wear around their neck, but
> I could never get mine to wear it, he appeared to decided that
> it was too much of an admission of how much he had deteriorated.


Mine won't have an alarm so I got him a mobile and explained how 112 works.
There are also units designed for the elderly that are a box that plugs into
the telephone line and you have the remote around your neck, these might
even be supplied/rented from some hospitals which would be an option for
those that don't have a back to base alarm installed.

[Ext User(Rod Speed)]

Peter <someone@microsoft.com> wrote
> Rod Speed <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote
>> Spokes <spokesman123@hotmail.com> wrote

>>> The alarm is a back to base type with a panic switch. I've got
>>> them thinking about ditching the wall phone and getting a special
>>> cordless unit with large buttons - this will be handy if they
>>> become bedridden and unable to get to the phone to make a call, etc.

>> Unlikely that they would both become bedridden at once.

>> Its more of a problem when there is just one of them, and even
>> a cordless isnt much use if they have a fall, which is very common.

>> The best approach is a button they wear around their neck, but
>> I could never get mine to wear it, he appeared to decided that
>> it was too much of an admission of how much he had deteriorated.

> Mine won't have an alarm so I got him a mobile and explained how 112
> works.

Mine did that for himself, but only used it when walking around outside.

He was quite happy with the portable alarm inside the unit, just
refused to hand it around his neck, which is a considerable problem
when they have a fall and are too far away from either to use it.

Wasnt so bad with the mobile, he was quite reliable about
putting it in his pocket when going outside for a walk etc.

> There are also units designed for the elderly that are a box that plugs
> into the telephone line and you have the remote around your neck,

Yeah, that's what this one was, he just wouldnt wear it round his neck.

> these might even be supplied/rented from some
> hospitals which would be an option for those that
> don't have a back to base alarm installed.

Yeah, that was the case with the retirement village he picked himself.

Very well organised place, so well organised
that quite a few moved in while still working etc.

Full restaurant on site with delivery of meals by golf buggy things.

When I showed up after the fall that put him in hospital, I found
a fucking great pile of orders that he had printed out on his Mac
and faxed to the restaurant, basically their weekly specials etc.

[Ext User(cramerj)]

If they invest in a lot more physical and mental activities - falls
etc. are less likely to occur. A stitch in time and all that.

[Ext User(Rod Speed)]

cramerj <cramerj58@yahoo.com> wrote:

> If they invest in a lot more physical and mental
> activities - falls etc. are less likely to occur.

Not much less in fact. And mental activity makes no difference at all.

> A stitch in time and all that.

A rolling stone, actually.

[Ext User(Heretic)]

On Sat, 04 Feb 2006 09:07:20 +1100, Rod Speed wrote:

> cramerj <cramerj58@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> If they invest in a lot more physical and mental
>> activities - falls etc. are less likely to occur.
>
> Not much less in fact. And mental activity makes no difference at all.
>
>> A stitch in time and all that.
>
> A rolling stone, actually.

One too many cooks, in fact.

[Ext User(pedro)]

Spokes wrote:


>The alarm is a back to base type with a panic switch. I've got them
>thinking about ditching the wall phone and getting a special cordless
>unit with large buttons - this will be handy if they become bedridden
>and unable to get to the phone to make a call, etc.
>
>

Not a good idea. You need to get an extra point installed in the
bedroom, and use a conventional phone. Cordless phones don't work in a
power outage. But get the portable as well for them to take with them if
they're in the yard or outside for any length of time. And get them a
mobile for when they're away from the house, so they can be contacted
and for emergencies.


>sure a fence is not much use to a serious offender. When the old lady
>is out the back at the clothesline, having a fence and gate will help
>more psychologically more than anything else. besides, i don't like
>stray animals off the street using the backyard as a toilet.
>
>
>


--
rgds,

Pete
-----
http://pedro.spyw.com
The time here is- http://tinyurl.com/6sfgd
'Veni, Vidi, Velcro - I came, I saw, I stuck around'

[Ext User(pedro)]

Spokes wrote:


>My father doesn't think he needs to improve security about his home.
>
>He and Mum live in a weatherboard house in the northern suburbs of
>Melbourne. They are both 83 yo.
>
>There is no front fence and gate ( he knocked those down 20 years ago)
>
>Access is open for anyone to walk right round the house. There is no
>side gate or fence blocking their way.
>The house does have a remote monitoring alarm system costing $30 pm.
>Dad thinks that is enough security.
>
>What do users of this NG think? Is he crazy?
>
>

Yes. I assume the house is fenced on both sides and rear, as it's in a
northern suburb. He needs to put up side fences at least- the higher the
better- to deny access to the yard. And a front fence would be good as
well. Deny access to the premises as much as possible. Thieves and other
criminals are opportunists. If they can walk right onto the property,
especially if they have access to the back yard where they could force
open a door or window unobserved, then the occupants of the premises are
greatly at risk.


>I want your opinion.
>
>



--
rgds,

Pete
-----
http://pedro.spyw.com
The time here is- http://tinyurl.com/6sfgd
'Hi, my name is Any Key. Please don't hit me!'

[Ext User(jg)]

"cramerj" <cramerj58@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1139004272.579990.163690@o13g2000cwo.googlegr oups.com...
> If they invest in a lot more physical and mental activities - falls
> etc. are less likely to occur. A stitch in time and all that.
>
Yeah, and they could learn Judo and kill all the intruders.

[Ext User(Rod Speed)]

pedro <pedro@nowhere.com> wrote:
> Spokes wrote:
>
>
>> My father doesn't think he needs to improve security about his home.
>>
>> He and Mum live in a weatherboard house in the northern suburbs of
>> Melbourne. They are both 83 yo.
>>
>> There is no front fence and gate ( he knocked those down 20 years
>> ago) Access is open for anyone to walk right round the house. There is
>> no
>> side gate or fence blocking their way.
>> The house does have a remote monitoring alarm system costing $30 pm.
>> Dad thinks that is enough security.
>>
>> What do users of this NG think? Is he crazy?
>>
>>
>
> Yes. I assume the house is fenced on both sides and rear, as it's in a
> northern suburb. He needs to put up side fences at least- the higher
> the better- to deny access to the yard. And a front fence would be
> good as well. Deny access to the premises as much as possible.
> Thieves and other criminals are opportunists. If they can walk right
> onto the property, especially if they have access to the back yard
> where they could force open a door or window unobserved, then the
> occupants of the premises are greatly at risk.

Mindless pig ignorant drivel, as always from you.

>> I want your opinion.

[Ext User(pedro)]

Rod Speed wrote:

>
>
>Mindless pig ignorant drivel, as always from you.
>
>

Drop dead you nasty horrible little man.

[Ext User(Rod Speed)]

pedro <pedro@nowhere.com> wrote:
> Rod Speed wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> Mindless pig ignorant drivel, as always from you.
>>
>>
>
> Drop dead you nasty horrible little man.

Go and fuck yourself you stupid pig ignorant fuckwit child.