Thread: How do you protect your display? or do you?

Tweet

We have lived here long enough to do the yard haunt/display for the past three years and never had an issue, we usually bring expensive/precious props in after trick or treat and take the rest down the next day.

But we have made some neighbors angry at us and we fear retaliation towards our display. To keep it simple, we are taking our neighbors to court for some damages they caused to our house and they are angry about it. We recently had "someone" break our lamp post, we of course don't know who did it but have a guess.

I know there is a simple trip wire you can put up so that if anyone moves into the yard it sets off lights and whatever else you plug into it for sound. Besides a fake surveilence camera, what else would you suggest we do. We don't have much money to spend this year, so try to keep that in mind.

What would you do to protect your display in our situation?

Well I wish I had something that would eletricute people when they try to take my stuff!! I had 3 pumpkins taken last year and I always thought to myself "nothing will ever get taken of mine"...I was wrong, now I have to buy new pumpkins this year and one of them can't be replaced because it was about 14 years old! I don't know why people feel they have to take/destroy things, it's just stupid. I hope you find something that will prevent this problem.

We have never, nor has any of our friends had anything taken, and we keep our display out for the whole month of October, with the exception of our gargoyles that sit on top of our cemetery posts. I take them in at night, just in case.
But the good and bad is that we live in a gated neighborhood, and our neighbors really do look out for us. Sorry to hear you neighbors aren't being so nice. I guess I am too trusting and will probably get burned someday.

A fence is the single "best" deterrent IMO. Anything really expensive is either inside until 10/31 or behind the facade.
I have replaced my lamp posts several times due to vandalism. It gets a little expensive, but if you don't replace them they win.

Well, luckily, a lot of my props are motion or sound activated, which startles a would be intruder if nothing else. I invested in one of those fake security cameras you see on Ebay for 6 bucks, when someone approaches with 12 feet, the camera flashes, follows them and pans with them, and issues a very audible verbal warning. Bottom line, if someone truly wants you, they will get you, however, building deterrents can be fun.

Radio Shack and Sam's Clubs sale security camera set ups. Some Security companies may also have a system you could rent. then you would have proof also of who did what... if needed. ;-(

My thoughts would fall in line with what you initially stated....expensive/precious props in after trick or treat and take the rest down the next day.

I have not had a problem in my neighborhood. I decorate the yard mid-Oct, put the graveyard out, and get the different areas in the yard ready for the big stuff which I out on Halloween. Though it is good for the security of the props it took a while to make and get perfected, it's really to not 'tip my hand' to the ToT's until they have to walk up the drive.

I do start taking them in that night, I'll wait until midnight to carry in the expensive or big things, which is all about security.

For your situation, if an active security system is too expensive ( I have no idea what the cost would be ) they do sell fake security cameras very cheap which can be placed in plain view. Just the implication that things are being watched/recorded would cause delay & second thoughts about malicious intent.

Good luck.

I've had props stolen in the past, some life-sized dummies I've built ect. this year I've invested in a motion activated alarm system and web cams that are also motion activated. It really is too bad that people can't leave well enough alone that which is not thiers to begin with. Good luck

We've so far never had any vandalism or theft, but I am paranoid, so we actually don't put out anything expensive (or hand-made that I can't stand to lose) until the big night.

I used to want to put up almost the whole thing at the beginning, but I kind of feel that it's more special for appearing there one night (well, two since we set it all up for the party) and then GONE.

The only things we put out at the beginning of October is spiderwebbing so it gets really gunky by the time Halloween arrives. I set up our fence about two weeks out, and change out the lighting at that time (we have security flood lights at our garage/front yard and a porch light). They all go green and blue. The cheapy foam tombstones go out about this time also.

You might want to look into motion activated lights or the ones that stay on all night - there are screw-in fixtures that can be added to the lights that most people have on their houses.

Honestly, if I KNEW that some neighbors might damage my stuff, I'd probably just put it out the night of and take it back in - I would not want to risk it even with security cameras and whatnot.

DH and I sit outside on our porch during the big night. We got tired of answering the door a billion times and we can keep an eye on our props. Added bonus: you get to see and hear the squeals of the TOTs and such!

I agree FG, the best thing is to only have the valuables out when you can be there to watch. (We sit out front the night of as well. Love it!)

When I lived in DC, I'd put out some inexpensive props and hang a lot of stuff in the trees. Nothing was ever touched. Then, the night of, my neighbors and I would sit out front and have bloody margaritas and severed fingers food. We had a blast! Then, at about 9:30 or 10pm, we'd bring everything back inside.

I will say that they make some really nice cameras that have night vision trips, so they take pics whenever something walks in front of the camera. They're specifically made to take pics of "wild life." In this particular case, the wild life would be walking on two legs instead of four. Might be an interesting investment! (Try checking out Cabela's Official Website - Quality Hunting, Fishing, Camping and Outdoor Gear at competitive prices. or Discount Hunting Gear, Discount Hunting Boots, Discount Shoes, Discount Ammunition, Discount Ammo, Discount Boots, Military Surplus, Outdoor Gear At the Sportsman's Guide)