Should I put something with a positive charge there? If so, what? Any other ideas?
Get a security system and a dog. The security system would at least include a smoke detector, heat sensor, carbon monoxide detector, door sensors and maybe motion detector. You could get this installed by a number of companies with a small monthly charge for monitoring. I would call this a must with small children about. The gun idea with so many small children around gives me great pause. Get a dog as well. You don't need a 100 pound killer dog. A 20-40 pound dog that is good with small children and barks it's head off will do. Dogs are great security systems as thieves hate attention. And, is a great friend for the kids. Make sure all doors and windows are secure and the locks are of the type that are hard to break bypass. A security system guy can also give you advice on the current condition of you home. My wife and I have monitored security(about $27/month). We've had the security system long enough to qualify for free installation even if we move to a new house as well.
Goby ,obviously you have never driven in Michigan! Michigan's highways ARE speed bumps.
I would get a security system. I would not get a dog because dogs can get outraged at young children. I would also teach your older children how to get out of the house safely with the younger siblings incase you can't make it upstairs to get them and plan a meeting place and practice it regularly.
To assure your own peace of mind, installing smoke detectors will let you know as soon as a smoke-producing fire starts. They can wake anyone whose not dead. Get a fire extinguisher, if you can't put out the blaze immediately it'd still buy you valuable time. As for home security, I'd advise you to exercise your Second Amendment rights and buy a firearm, educate yourself on safe storage and firearms safety. Keep it in a sturdy locked cabinet where the kids can't reach. Keep your gun cabinet key on your key ring, and keep that by your bedside. The cabinet with the gun should be in your bedroom. If you are not confident you can load ammo when you're under stress, keep it loaded. An unloaded gun isn't much use. A dog can react unpredictably in these situation, especially if they are used to being family pets friendly to everyone. 99% of small-time burgulars will run like the wind when confronted with an angry person with a shotgun.
what you would have to do is have the 5 6 year olds help with getting the 1 2 year olds out of the house if you cant make it up there in time. you should train them that is there is a fire, what to do and how to help the siblings. We have the same issue in our house, I would be the one to get my little brother out of the house. I was watching NBC last night, and it said dogs don't respond to robberys because most robbers bring dog treats along. (They were getting this from a real person who robbed houses stuff.) Make sure you have a good security system on your house. Make sure you have a phone upstairs, and your kids know how to dial 911.
