Reply #18: Yeah, but if you were in the house

[smoogatz]

you'd have time to arm yourself and call 911 before they got through. Cheaper than an alarm system, but you could install one of those, too.

Our house was built in 1901--you'd have to fight your way through a solid oak door latched on the outside, or give breaking through two layers of plaster and lath your best shot. Maybe you'd get through it in a half-hour or so, if you had a crow-bar handy. Maybe.