Do you keep your doors locked when in the house?

[mhsjax]

Wow, I live in a neighborhood that nothing ever happens in, I still lock my doors, I don't see why people think that because I choose to lock them that I live in an armed fort, or a bad neighborhood. There is always a first time, and I am sorry but I really don't want my 3 kids have to witness someone break in and steal or worse. Sorry, but if you guys don't understand that then you have the problem not us, the people who take literally one second to flip the bolt on the door.

Op you wonder why I sound mad, this is why, I lock my doors therefore I must be paranoid and feel like I have to live in an armed fort, or I live in skid row, neither or which could be farther from the truth.

 

[mhsjax]

WOW! Hey lady. Who said YOU were silly and paranoid? My goodness maybe you are.

I am talking about people that have 3-4 deadbolts on there doors. And keep guns at the bedside etc. Thats all.

How about a hug and a piece of bubble gum.

Ok truce, I don't have 3 dead bolts, and no not totally paranoid, in fact my kids are in the pool right now and no I don't have the door locked, but when they come in, I will.

Hey, I can't be all bad, I like Dexter too.

 

[Ride Junkie]

I live in a pretty quiet neighborhood where people go jogging & walking their dogs after dark. Many of our neighbors keep their garages open all the time, if they go out for a walk, or to let their pets go in & out. There hasn't been any crime around here since I've lived here (just over a year). But since I've lived in a few not-so-nice areas, I've gotten into the habit of always locking the doors. I'll leave it unlocked if I walk down to the mailbox, but I always keep it locked when we're inside. Especially since I had a child, I'm even more cautious now.

So different from how things were growing up. Nobody ever locked their doors in our neighborhood, not even at night. We were always in & out of each other's houses, and nobody ever knocked.

 

[Poppinsme]

Wow, I live in a neighborhood that nothing ever happens in, I still lock my doors, I don't see why people think that because I choose to lock them that I live in an armed fort, or a bad neighborhood. There is always a first time, and I am sorry but I really don't want my 3 kids have to witness someone break in and steal or worse. Sorry, but if you guys don't understand that then you have the problem not us, the people who take literally one second to flip the bolt on the door.

Op you wonder why I sound mad, this is why, I lock my doors therefore I must be paranoid and feel like I have to live in an armed fort, or I live in skid row, neither or which could be farther from the truth.

Ok. Sorry your mad.

And I still feel bad that there are people that live in (my opinion only) an armed fort/house/domicile/apartment etc.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

We have a lot of half-way houses in my fair city. And homelessness on the trail near my house.
I would never dream of not locking my doors.

 

[Ride Junkie]

Wow, I live in a neighborhood that nothing ever happens in, I still lock my doors, I don't see why people think that because I choose to lock them that I live in an armed fort, or a bad neighborhood. There is always a first time, and I am sorry but I really don't want my 3 kids have to witness someone break in and steal or worse. Sorry, but if you guys don't understand that then you have the problem not us, the people who take literally one second to flip the bolt on the door.

Op you wonder why I sound mad, this is why, I lock my doors therefore I must be paranoid and feel like I have to live in an armed fort, or I live in skid row, neither or which could be farther from the truth.

A while back, I saw one of those "I survived" type shows on TV that I can't forget.

A woman was at home with her baby when a man came into the house. He dragged her into her bathroom, held a knife to her throat, assaulted and beat her. The guy left her for dead & she managed to crawl through her bathroom window to get help from a neighbor, meanwhile not knowing what had happened to her baby (who was in the house unharmed).

Sure, the odds are slim that such a thing will happen. But I would hate to be saying to myself, "I should have locked the door" after such a horrible thing took place. Better safe than sorry.

 

[marcyinPA]

Timely post...yes, I do now! We've had a rash of thefts/burglaries in the past couple of weeks in my neighborhood, so I keep both the back and the front door locked at all times.

Prior to this, though, I've been known to walk the dog and leave the back door unlocked so I wouldn't have to carry my keys. No longer doing this!

 

[marcyinPA]

I was thinking the same thing. If I felt like I had to lock the doors during the day while home and live with a gun next to the bed I would not live in that neighborhood. I am often surprised how afraid of their own neighborhood people are. On another thread I posted that because of the heat I go running at night after dark and people were surprised I felt safe running alone at night. It never crossed my mind that I shouldn't feel safe in my neighborhood, that was one of the reasons I chose it.

Bad things happen in good neighborhoods all the time. In fact, many robberies and thefts occur in the nicest neighborhoods around here. It makes sense if you think about it.

I'm not afraid of my neighborhood. I lock my doors because stuff happens. This is my way of protecting my family and my belongings. I know that if they want in badly enough, they will get in...but hopefully a locked door and a barking dog will be a deterrent!

 

[mhsjax]

A while back, I saw one of those "I survived" type shows on TV that I can't forget.

A woman was at home with her baby when a man came into the house. He dragged her into her bathroom, held a knife to her throat, assaulted and beat her. The guy left her for dead & she managed to crawl through her bathroom window to get help from a neighbor, meanwhile not knowing what had happened to her baby (who was in the house unharmed).

Sure, the odds are slim that such a thing will happen. But I would hate to be saying to myself, "I should have locked the door" after such a horrible thing took place. Better safe than sorry.

Exactly, I am truly not paranoid, but it just takes a second to lock the door, and it would be horrible if something happened because you didn't take that one second.

Stuff being stolen, I can handle, but anything else, like my kids seeing me being killed or beat up, or my kids being hurt is just not a chance I am going to take. Sure it can happen, but maybe it won't if the person doesn't want to fool with a locked door, when somewhere else may be easier to get in. Sorry if that sounds like I wish it to happen to someone else, because I would never wish that on anyone.

Side note, we did have a bunch of break ins to cars that weren't locked, everyones response that didn't get broken into, Well they should complain, they left the doors unlocked and that is an invitation to steal in todays world.

 

[bettymae1121]

I did when I lived alone (plus it was a condo, common hallway like in an apartment). My DH works nights so I'll lock the door once he leaves for work, but I'll leave it unlocked during the day when we're both home. It's not a bad area, but it's not a secret in the neighborhood that DH works nights and I'm here by myself, so better safe than sorry.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

Of course not... if a person has a gun and is that crazy..do you really think a locked door will stop them??

Maybe not stop them all together. But it could stop them long enough for you to get out another way and call the police.

I was thinking the same thing. If I felt like I had to lock the doors during the day while home and live with a gun next to the bed I would not live in that neighborhood. I am often surprised how afraid of their own neighborhood people are. On another thread I posted that because of the heat I go running at night after dark and people were surprised I felt safe running alone at night. It never crossed my mind that I shouldn't feel safe in my neighborhood, that was one of the reasons I chose it.

Did you not read a post I made earlier? Or some that others have made?

Last year, in my city, in very nice, previously crime-free neighborhoods, there were several home invasions and rapes. These people didn't keep their doors locked, so another person walked in and did their damage. These people will also never be the same again.

I also live in a fairly quiet and safe neighborhood. But, there has been vandalism and break ins of sheds and detached garages.
It's better to be safe than sorry. Let's call locking our doors preventative measures. I don't have a gun as I don't like them, but my dad does. I do, however, keep a big, heavy, stainless steel flashlight by my bed.

 

[C.Ann]

Awhile ago, in a friends old neighborhood, 4 homes were broken into in the middle of the night (all on the same night) - locked doors and all - while the homeowners were asleep inside.. So it does kind of make you wonder if some things happen just because "they happen"..

But veering off in another direction here, is it the heat - or what? Seriously.. I've been around these boards for years and recently it's been mind boggling to me what people have chosen to argue about.. Locked or unlocked doors? Really?

I think a week or so ago it was about laundry or some such thing..

I asked it then and I'll ask it again.. Is there anything that people won't argue about here? LOL..

I understand people voicing their opinions - but to actually argue about something that is clearly a personal preference - similar to what shampoo you use or if you use hot water to wash your whites? Yup - it's got to be the heat..

As long as you feel safe, that's all that really matters - isn't it?

 

[HelenePA]

Sometimes... if I remember. I do yell at him for not locking the door when he leaves for work. Mostly because I'm afraid of the kids getting out not someone getting in.. since we put the new door on they've yet to figure out how to unlock it. Its a tight turn.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I have a GSD and a Border Collie mix. They're not at all shy about barking at strangers. GSD's bark is deep and can be scary if she wants it to be; she's 80 lbs of protectiveness. If someone wanted to break in, they could, but they'd do so knowing that something that can produce a WOOF that deep lives here. I don't think locking my doors would provide any additional protection.

Now, after she passes, I don't know what we'll do. But right now, I don't lock my doors. I don't need to. If someone were really determined to break in, they could by shooting the GSD (or by feeding her a plain bacon cheeseburger and McDonald's fries, but that's the family secret , and yes, yes that is an intentional thing), but if that's the case, then the piddling locks and deadbolts wouldn't keep them out either.

 

[HelenePA]

I have a GSD and a Border Collie mix. They're not at all shy about barking at strangers. GSD's bark is deep and can be scary if she wants it to be; she's 80 lbs of protectiveness. If someone wanted to break in, they could, but they'd do so knowing that something that can produce a WOOF that deep lives here. I don't think locking my doors would provide any additional protection.

Now, after she passes, I don't know what we'll do. But right now, I don't lock my doors. I don't need to. If someone were really determined to break in, they could by shooting the GSD (or by feeding her a plain bacon cheeseburger and McDonald's fries, but that's the family secret , and yes, yes that is an intentional thing), but if that's the case, then the piddling locks and deadbolts wouldn't keep them out either.

My new dog would just go up and lick the stranger to death.. he does't bark when you knock on the door at all.. I've heard him bark 3 times in the 2 weeks he's been home.. I just knocked to see what he would do.. he sat up and started wagging his tail..

 

[Becky2005]

I asked it then and I'll ask it again.. Is there anything that people won't argue about here? LOL..

It's not the heat!! It's just the internet. The answer is No, there is nothing that I know of that people won't argue about in some way, shape or form.

It's one reason I have learned not to take things said on boards too seriously even though sometimes it can still annoy you. I have been on parenting boards and the fireworks can really fly on those...which 10 years from now the things they are arguing about won't really matter either way.

 

[C.Ann]

It's not the heat!! It's just the internet. .

Yes - it IS the heat!! What's the matter with you? Trying to start an argument? This is exactly the kind of nonsense I'm talking about..

I suppose you're someplace where it's nice and cool - probably have central air conditioning - so you wouldn't have a CLUE what the rest of us are going through!

I really can't believe you have the audacity to say that!!!!!

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[FINFAN]

yep. If I have the main door open, I lock the screen door.

 

[Becky2005]

I suppose you're someplace where it's nice and cool - probably have central air conditioning - so you wouldn't have a CLUE what the rest of us are going through!

Well, crud...you had me so discombobulated that I lost my reply to you so I had to start all over again!!!!

Let's just say that why yes, I AM sitting in my nice A/C house with the front door locked (not back door though since the youngest is outside playing in the backyard)....but it can't be THAT hot where you are....

Should I do my one uppmanship? I was 6 months pregnant at Girl Scout daycamp during extreme heat index warnings and we all survived. If I recall, I even took the big boys on a hike to the police station for a tour (of course, we DID call for a van to pick us up because we wouldn't have made the walk BACK....too hot!!!!).

and back on topic, I think location really makes all the difference in the world plus just whatever you are comfortable with. If I lived out in the middle of a farm with several acres or where my sister lives (she LITERALLY lives in an area that really no strangers are going to go there -- they would never find the place or their way back out -- down a one car dirt road that they don't even get garbage service or anything! Frankly I would be afraid if anything really did happen there because I don't even think emergency personnel could get back there!! They did have an easier access until the floods on the East Coast washed out their bridge). I would see absolutely no need to lock the doors there at all even at night really.

 

[Poohbear123]

I work for a Major Grocery Chain, and my Produce manager got a call today that: Someone broke into his house! I asked if he had an alarm and he replied "No."...OK...you live in a NOT so great neighborhood, and you have NO alarm....