What to take to bed with you - not a joke......your car keys!

[maybejim]

Put your car keys beside your bed at night.

If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies.

This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage.

If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar/rapist won't stick around. After a few seconds, all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there. This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime.

P.S. This would also be useful for any emergency, such as a heart attack, where you can't reach a phone. My Mom has suggested to my Dad that he carry his car keys with him in case he falls outside and she doesn't hear him. He can activate the car alarm and then she'll know there's a problem.

I hate to be this way but no one pays any attention to car alarms unless they go off for 15 or 20 minutes and they are tired of hearing them.

[Tucker's Mom]

I hate to be this way but no one pays any attention to car alarms unless they go off for 15 or 20 minutes and they are tired of hearing them.

Are you referring to me? I didn't hear it while inside the shower....

[longslide10]

When it really happened that there was a home invasion by guv authorities but it was a mistake, short of burning your house, they damaged it, who pays? insurance? This is an honest question, not a troll -- just would like to really, really know...

I believe the agency/precinct involved is liable for repair of any damages in the case of a mistake. The home owners insurance may pay an initial claim but then they may sue the agency/precinct involved for recovery of costs. There are a number of suits filed against police around the country including the one here in Pittsburgh

[maybejim]

Are you referring to me? I didn't hear it while inside the shower....

Actually I was referring to me. I got up once the night previous to this thread because of a neighbor's car alarm going off for the second time and didn't bother the third time (nor had I bothered the first time).

[forty5]

I would prefer the sound of my German Shepherd barking angrily and the sound of me racking 00 buckshot into my 12 gauge pump action shotgun...
But that's just me, I'm silly that way.

I agree, I'm full of the same silliness!

[DougG]

It is a great idea for my wife if the dogs do not scare them away first. If they do not pay attention, that 410 next to her side of the bed should do the trick.

[wort]

Its odd that we never think of the simplest concepts. good posting

[kelcarry]

I would think by reply #37, your bed has no more room for you.

[Aili McKeen]

I have to agree. When that smoke detector starts buzzing, you grab your pants (with your keys in the pocket), your kids (or pets) and out the door!! I keep a duffle with a complete change of clothes, a spare pair of shoes, a couple sweatshirts in my Jeep. It sucks when it's cold or raining and your car keys are in your burning house & you're on the lawn in your jammies. I see it all the time at work.

[jhedden7646]

Keys are a good self defense weapon as well especially if the eyes are targeted.