In my opinion all householders should be allowed to use machine guns on burglars but in real life perhaps your wife's concerns would be lessened with fitting grills to top floor windows. I would suggest however - and this applies to everyone with grilled windows - to have one (I chose my main bedroom for good reasons) where the grill is hinged and has two easily-reached padlocks (with key kept in a prominent position and tested regularly to ensure the padlocks are not seized) as a fire exit.

I have also heard of burglars pushing out window-type aircons and using a child to enter the property and unlock a door. Screwing the aircon casing to the side of its hole (if within a wall) can make pushing it out difficult and most burglars want speed.

 

Everyone in the neighborhood knows I'm skint, driving a clapped out 1998 Pajero,

 

I'd agree with your wife, at least for piece of mind. Also, security cameras are not too expensive to purchase and install. My first choice always is a big, protective dog.

Most thieves are lazy, so a couple deterrents makes them look elsewhere.

Shawn

 

Had a 96 Hyundai Galloper in Korea, basically the same as the Pajero; best vehicle I have ever owned. Sucked on the expressways but it could climb d*mn near anything and took me to fishing and camping spots all around Korea.