I need advice, and I'm hopin' there are some expert readers to give it.
I'm pulling the plug. I'll be 66 in January, eligible for full Soc. Sec. benefits. There's enough irritation at work now, even though I still LOVE helping folks when they need the help, it seems a good time to leave the job to someone with better eyes, ears, and a higher tolerance for management's Bravo Sierra.
We want to travel.
We want the luxury to be able to act on an impulse "to go see 'such and such'... let's start tomorrow morning!"
The photo I chose to head this posts hints at my concerns...
For the last couple years we have been preparing for troubles. The house is now jammed with resources we MAY need if the dominoes begin to fall. If we take off on an extended vacation, I'd like that stuff to still be under my roof when we return. To help insure those things are there when we need 'em, I know we'll need to make it tough on scoundrels who would take advantage...
We need a home security system, and we need a good gun safe. I've been doing online research on both, and I have to admit to being just as confused now as when I started reading.
I've been warned to buy a bigger gun safe than I think I need. That sounds like good advice, but of course means lots of $$$$ for a quality safe.
I have NO IDEA what details I should be looking for in a home security system.
HELP!
11 comments:
I sometimes wonder if the stuff will hit the you know what when I'm away from home and I won't be able to get back to it or my loved ones.
Fake wall in basement. Wood paneling so groove hides door seam. Molding velcro removal so no carpet sweep marks and allows access to locking mechanism.
Hide in plain sight.
Do it yourself or kill the craftsmen (a time honored tradition)when done.
I hope these will help:
http://bayourenaissanceman.blogspot.com/2008/10/safe-storage-of-firearms.html
http://bayourenaissanceman.blogspot.com/2008/10/update-on-firearms-storage.html
As for home security, if you're in a high-crime area, that's a problem right there, no matter what security system you install. You might be better off looking for a friend who'll let you build a steel storage building on his property (one he can use as a shop, or as storage space of his own, in future years) and storing your really important stuff there. Just a thought . . .
Remember this: we left Indiana and moved to Florida. So my problems are compounded.
We gave up and had ADT installed last week and bought EXTRA motion detectors. The problem? In Indiana, it was "INSTANT DISPATCH". In Florida, they make THREE CALLS to people you list, BEFORE dispatching. I said "Might as well put the coroner on my list, because by the time you dispatch, he'll need to be notified."
In Indiana, I had a fantastic storage in an old, dry, cistern!! Perfect!!!
Here? When we travel, the guns go with me, (pistols only) the bug-out bag goes with me, and I make sure I'm carrying all my permits, as well as a laminated list of the serial numbers of the guns.
With NO options for bugging in, in Florida, I'm better equipped to bug OUT.
Check Craigslist for used Knaack Storagemaster containers. New at Lowes over $1400 found used on CL for $425. Yes it's dinged up but it's secure as heck.
You have acreage, I'd pick a out of the way place that you could access in the dark. Bury in good ammo cans, Weapons in 8 inch PVC pipe with caps, all else wrapped in good oil cloth, plastic sheeting and booby trapped.
Another thought. If you have a pickup or other vehicle (or access to one) that can haul a heavy trailer, why not buy a large, heavy-duty cargo trailer? You can store your "resources we MAY need if the dominoes begin to fall" in the trailer, even at your house, and render it immobile by taking off the wheels or something like that. If you decide to hit the road for a week or two, you can drive the trailer over to a friend's place where he can keep an eye on it while you're gone, or park it in a secure storage facility.
Just thinking outside the box here . . .
Do what the Boss and I do - we have a friend stay at our place while we're gone. The fact that she takes care of Stewie while we're gone is a bonus.
That trailer idea might work.
My sons construction company trailer has sat locked and untouched for three years, wheels on, in the front yard.
But the secret compartment's never been breeched either.
One piece of advice, NEVER get electronic lock on a safe... Plain old manual combo. And yes, go bigger than you need, bolt it to the floor, and make sure you run a low watt dehumidfier in it.
P.S. - hope my 2 e-mails reached you. If you'd like to call and discuss further options, e-mail me with a number.
Got 'em Peter, thanks.
(And I had never heard of Graffunder before.)
That was all I needed...
More info to confuse me!
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