| Secure Your Place |
Make things as difficult as possible to get at. Don't be satisfied until its
"...way easier to grab the same item down the road at someone else's place..."
This may be a horrible thought, however, thieves go for the easy targets. You should always make it very hard to get at, and hard to unlock. Tell your neighbors to do the same. |
| Keep an eye on your neighbour's place in their absence. If you see anyone unusual, make a note, describing them. Note their license plate if possible. Call your neighbours if you see anyone visit their cottage when they are not there. |
| Prepare your place for when it is vacant. Make sure the place always looks lived in. |
| 1. Log your details, and mark things boldly. Take time to separately log serial numbers and /or write identifying information on your stuff. Make it easy to spot as being yours so police can ID it easily, for example in the home of a suspect. |
| 2. Get a Digital Camera for a Day. Take some time to digitally photograph everything once every year or two. Keep the files of the photos somewhere safe. |
| 3. Out of Site is Out of Mind. Do not leave money or alcohol in the cottage. Close curtains. Put away loose items. Do not leave any temptations visible if within your control. |
| 4. Fake/Real Equipment. Add a couple of cameras or old motion sensors like you'd find in an alarm system that are not necessarily hooked up. Fake cameras come with flashing red lights and motion sensors that cause them to pan around for real effect. Make sure they can see the equipment easily, but not too close up. Its always a great idea to get real cameras as well. If nothing else, the perpetrator will likely realize that you have put thought into this and they should be cautious. |
| 5. Stickers on Windows and Doors. It's a great idea, no matter how simplistic your alarm system is, to leave typed up official labels on doors and windows explaining who to call plus the number, if the 'alarm goes off '. This can be done on any computer with a printer. |
6. Smile, You're on Candid Camera. Put a simple sign outside referring to "the cameras"
or say "we know you are here". |
| 7. Get Local Help. Employ someone nearby to regularly check the place for anything suspicious when you are away for more than a few days. They can also check for trees that have fallen, and windows broken by birds, or any other issues that might arise in your absence. |
| As you leave, prepare the place. Create a routine when leaving the building. Make it as secure as possible. |
| 1. Block Driveway Entrance. Some say yes, others say no. Snow Plow, or not? If the path to the building looks covered with snow, and untouched, it may look safe to break in to. |
| 2. Secure Windows and Doors. Cut wood sticks for all sliding windows and doors to help keep them from being slid open. |
| 3. Clean Up, Wipe Down. As you leave the building, wipe down everything, removing all fingerprints. Clean up as much as possible. Make it as easy as possible for the local law enforcement's to find evidence. |
| Make it look like you are there. When the snow flies thick, it is ideal for snow machines to come by because it is difficult for police to get to your place, plowed or not. |
| 1. Hire someone to shovel snow from walkways, and decks regularly. It will make it look like you are there, especially if you leave some lights on. |
| 2. Add a light timer and even a radio timer to keep things turning on and off while you are not around. |
| 3. If you get deliveries of mail or newspapers, have them removed regularly so they do not pile up and give the place an abandoned look. |
| Other Ideas: |
| Early Warning of Visitors. Live in a remote location? Motion sensor on walkway that rings a doorbell. Its a great early warning system. Motion sensors incorporated into lights along walkways that cause the doorbell to ring as each is passed, can tell you if the visitor is coming right to the house. |
Need to fasten down an ATV, a dirt bike or something else?
- Pick a place where it is out of view and can easily be covered to hide it, where it is more difficult to get at.
- Heavy duty chain can be purchased in town. Only the store has the tool required to cut this chain.
- Some Locks now have a 'difficult to get at', locking mechanism that is hard to get at to cut. Look at the selections and you will probably see it amongst the various styles.
- If you want more defense, grab a bag of cement, dig a deep hole, put the cement and put the end of the chain in, and when it's all done, it won't go anywhere. |
|
Alarm Company -
Local company that would be paid to monitor your place and take action if any alarms go off.
$$ installation, plus monthly fees. |
Telephone alarm - Will call you if there is a problem.
- Wireless alarm system monitors up to 5 zones and 10 sensors
- Voice/digital dialer calls about 5 phone numbers for help. Your home phone, cell phone, friend's place etc. These systems require more thought(must be locked away from criminals or they can stop it from phoning out), hands-on and effort (some models must be routinely reprogrammed due to power outages and batteries draining), but they do work.
- Usually comes with motion sensor, door/window sensors, remote control. More pieces can be added on later. $200-$350
|
Wireless Phone Alarm |
Network Camera System - Monitor Cottage From Home. Record Cottage at Home.
If you are hooked up to the web at your cottage you can add a network camera system so you can monitor and protect your office, business or home from around the world $600 - $2500 plus mthly |
 
Indoor type Outdoor type |
DVR with Multiple Cameras - Record Images Right at Cottage for Later Inspection -
Use a Digital Video Recorder and cameras. The DVR should have motion activity detection. Cameras can be combination wireless, wired, indoor, outdoor, movable, day/night, black&white, colour or covert. Be sure the equipment can tolerate extreme cold weather and it will continue run after a power outage. $600-$2500 |
Digital Video Recorder
 
Choice of Cameras
Concealed |
SD Recorder - All in one - Record Images Right at Cottage for Later Inspection -
Record images to a tiny disk inside the unit. Later, read them into your PC using an inexpensive reader, and play the clip. These recorders look like clocks, motion detectors, and regular security cameras. There is also a model you can hook up to your choice of camera. $600-$1200 |
 
Covert SD Cameras |
Combine Network Camera & SD Records -
Pan, Tilt and Zoom Over Your Network
Powerful 22x optical zoom lens
Built in slot for SD card for internal recording
Up to 30 frames per second |
 
SD plus Network Camera |
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