See the problem with locks is that they only keep honest people out of your house, yet it is illegal to booby trap your premises and someone breaking in can actually sue for damages if you do, (at least here).
I've always thought that if I were to build a house that a good security system for extended leaves would be to have fold down panels beneath every window that are covered in upward pointing nails. This may not keep you from getting ripped off but there should be a decent trail of blood smeared footprints to follow and DNA evidence to boot.
Well scrap that, it's too inhumane and far too practical, enter house of whacks.

Arming the newly installed security system activates a gauntlet of laser trip wires and motion sensing triggers designed not to harm but deliver a good thrashing at every turn. Flexible poles swing upwards from the floor and downwards from the ceiling with more force than stepping on a rake. Lengths of sand filled garden hose whip from around corners as containers of marbles are dispersed across the floor below sensor range.
The real selling feature of this system is the live video feed emailed to your laptop.

<bing> You've got crooks.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Feb 19 2006

Nice - I'd prefer the "Haunted House" model though <sound of far-away echoing laughter>
-- hippo, Feb 19 2006


"Hey Burt, this guy's got a collection of vintage baseball bats, come over here and s- OW! CRAP! OOF! OY! HELP!..."
-- wagster, Feb 19 2006


"Honestly officer, I don't know why they decided to step on those caltrops. I keep them there for decorative purposes only."
-- notmarkflynn, Feb 20 2006


well, don't mean to whack a good idea, but isn't this similar to the whacking scene in Hitchhiker's Guide?
-- dentworth, Feb 22 2006


Yes.
Yes it is, I suppose the difference being that I could build a house and make it do this, while building a planet that could do this would take at least an extra week.

Easy.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Feb 23 2006


your own automated "Home Alone". cute.
-- xaviergisz, Feb 23 2006


Cute, or odd?
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Feb 23 2006


Heh, video feed indeed [+]

Never did see that film House of Wax.
-- skinflaps, Feb 23 2006


I went to Venice with a friend of mine - when he saw the Bridge of Sighs he said "That's not very big".
-- hippo, Feb 23 2006



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