<p>Hi. Does anyone have experience with door/window alarms that don’t require wiring and monthly fees. Looking for simple door and window alarms for an apartment.
Thanks</p>
<p>How about [Barky</a> Dog Just Going Bark, Bark, Bark](<a href=“http://www.theonion.com/audio/barky-dog-just-going-bark-bark-bark,13214/]Barky”>http://www.theonion.com/audio/barky-dog-just-going-bark-bark-bark,13214/)
;)</p>
<p>Alarms do no good if they don’t automatically trip off a security service… hence why you pay the fee. I’m not sure what you want, a DIY kit to arm the door and every window with a loud beeping noise if they’re opened?</p>
<p>The only meaningful security mechanisms I can think of that don’t require a monthly fee is a surreptitious bolt on the inside of the windows (so even if a pane is broken, it’s hard to reach the release) and a maglock on your door.</p>
<p>There are these great things you slip under door, kind of wedge shaped and set off an alarm if door opened from outside. Great for travel as well. Go to travel websites and they will have some great devices and solutions.</p>
<p>Looking for something to help a nervous, first time living alone, person feel safer at night. I think the apt is safe but thought something attached to door/window that would make noise might be helpful.</p>
<p>Seahorserock, thanks for even mentioning travel safety devices. I travel often and I would have never thought of looking for these.</p>
<p>I found this link to be useful: [Hotel</a> Safety Products - Travel Gear and Anti-Theft Travel Accessories - Travel Gear, Anti-theft Travel Accessories & Travel Safety Tips](<a href=“http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com/catalog/hotel-safety-c-35.html]Hotel”>Hotel Safety Tips - Corporate Travel Safety - Safety Tips)</p>
<p>busyparent…Those types of devices can help, depending on the personality of the neighbors in the apartment complex. If the neighbors are the type of people who will investigate when they hear the localized alarm sounding, that combination will often scare off the would-be thieves. I used exactly those type devices (bought them at Radio Shack IIRC), got to know my neighbors, and used that combo to keep the apartment safe.</p>
<p>How good are the doors and locks? Door should be metal or solid core wood. Lock should be a deadbolt. The strike plate for the lock should be heavy duty and either attached to a metal door frame, or attached with long screws into the framing stud (not a wood door frame that is easily kicked in).</p>
<p>I bought alarms from a dollar store for my dorm-- they weren’t hooked up to a security system but my hope was that the noise would scare anyone off, it was the best I could do. They had two pieces that would sound when separated. I just taped them to my doors and windows since I couldn’t use screws in a dorm, but they worked for two years and really gave me some piece of mind-- I didn’t really need them, but I was nervous about living on the ground floor and it made me feel better. They were loud enough to be heard a block away at least.</p>
<p>Empty soda or beer cans with a handful of pennies inside. Set up several in front of all of the doors and on the window sills. They make a terrible sound. Cheap.</p>
<p>[Doberman</a> SE-0109 Entry Defense. Silver/black - Amazon.com](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Doberman-SE-0109-Entry-Defense-Silver/dp/B000G80TZW/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_6]Doberman”>http://www.amazon.com/Doberman-SE-0109-Entry-Defense-Silver/dp/B000G80TZW/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_6)
^maybe something like this. We have a real dog and I always feel safer with her in the house.</p>
<p>Add some security decals and a beware of dog sticker to the door and windows.</p>
<p>although not for door or window… keep a can of wasp spray near bed or around apartment or car…the 15ft range of the spray is better than the small pepper sprays.</p>
<p>
I almost made a politically incorrect remark on that one. ;)</p>
<p>One of these security bars is around $20 at Home Depot or Amazon and provides pretty good protection for the door. It takes 1 second to put on or off.</p>
<p><a href=“Master Lock”>Master Lock;
<p>Thank you all for the ideas. I ordered from Amazon a kit wirth a door alarm and 3 window alarms that look like the dog one posted by Gladgraddad. I hope it gives her some peace of mind at night. She also has dowels in the sliders of the windows and glass door. I remember those nights of feeling nervous so I hope these help.</p>
<p>Thanks again.</p>