I know I’ve been talking a lot about home security lately – burglar deterrents, how to burglarproof your windows, questions to ask your home alarm company – but I come from the camp of “the best defense is a good offense.” Or better safe than sorry. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The point is, there are things you can do to secure your home and your family. Do you have to do every, single thing from every, single list? But if you do a little of this and a little of that, you’ll be a lot safer than if you did nothing at all. We’ve covered a lot of the basics, but I want to circle back to doors. Did you know that an estimated 70% of home invaders enter through a door (as opposed to a window), which includes front doors, patio doors and even garage doors? That’s a pretty surprising statistic, considering doors are usually made of solid wood while windows are fragile glass. But it’s also a good statistic, because it gives us a jumping-off point for home security.

Bottom line: All exterior doors need to be solid and kick-proof. That means you want a solid wood door, or at the very least a door with a solid-wood core. Other options are fiberglass or metal. garage door opener albuquerqueIf you choose a metal door, make sure that it has interior reinforcement and a lock block, to prevent a thief from bending it open with a car jack. auto glass repair in hamilton njReinforced steel doors are your sturdiest option, but they also require extra maintenance to prevent rust.1994 chevy tahoe 2 door for sale Relevant Products: National Hardware Door Security Guardtimber french doors melbourne

Door windows allow light to filter into your entranceway and they look inviting, but they’re also a home security risk. If the window is located within arm’s reach of your lock, it is easy to smash the window and unlock your door from the inside. windows and doors woodstock gaIf you are installing a new door, choose one without a window. garage door companies in stamford ctIf you already have a windowed door – or fall absolutely in love with a door that has a window – you’ll need to take a few extra security measures. sliding glass door roller assembly replacementChoose reinforced glass, and consider adding decorative bars or metal reinforcement. And if it doesn’t break local fire codes, you should also install a secondary door lock at floor level – far away from a burglar’s reach.

Relevant Products: Avonstar 6-Pack Adjustable Window Security Bars 3. See Ya, Shrubbery Everyone loves a flowery landscaping, but it belongs nowhere near your door (or windows). Never plant shrubs, bushes or trees to obscure your doors; they make it too easy for a burglar to lie in wait and then do the deed without anyone the wiser. 4. Install a Deadbolt They say a door is only as strong as its lock – and they couldn’t be more right. Even the strongest reinforced steel door can be neutralized by one swift kick if your lock does not extend deep enough into the doorframe. When choosing a deadbolt, go with a brand name and don’t choose the cheapest model. (Note: I’m not saying you need a $150 deadbolt, just don’t choose the $5 model from the local dollar store.) Relevant Products: Primeline Products Jimmy-Resistant Deadlock Speaking of deadbolts, you can even install a secondary, one-sided deadbolt. These deadbolts do not have keyed access to the outside, so they can only be used when you are home (to engage the lock from the inside), but they’re nearly impossible for a burglar to bypass.

These locks can save you from a dangerous home invasion while you sleep or spend time with your loved ones. Relevant Products: Master Lock Single Cylinder Deadbolt 6. Don’t Forget the Frame Don’t overlook the frame and doorjamb. These two elements are essential to door security – one swift kick to a weak jamb or frame, and your door cracks open like a steamed clam – but are often overlooked. Instead of a thin, flimsy strike plate, install a deeper box strike (a type of steel pocket that houses the bolt part of your deadbolt); to this, affix 3″ screws that burrow deep into the wall studs, instead of just the doorjamb. And speaking of, you’ll want to reinforce your doorjamb with galvanized steel to withstand shoulders, kicks, and other attempts to break your door in. Relevant Products: Primeline Products Box Strike Plate Burglars often think of sliding glass doors as invitations, but there’s plenty you can do to secure these decorative entry points.

First, make sure your doors are made from reinforced glass or plastic (like polycarbonate), and not simple, thin glass. Always keep glass doors locked. Place a wooden or metal dowel in the track – the rod should measure no more than 1/4″ less than the track length – to prevent the doors from being opened by force. Make sure your alarm company has installed motion sensors or vibration sensors to sound the alarm in case the glass is broken. And consider installing curtains on the inside, so as not to give burglars a wide-screen view into your home. Relevant Products: Elegant Comfort 2-Piece Sheer Panel Window Curtains (multiple color options) More Safety Solutions for Kids and Families:It often starts with a doorbell ring or a knock at the front door.If no one answers, burglars take that as an invitation to find their way in through one of the most vulnerable entry points of any home: sliding-glass doors.Many homeowners don't realize that what they might consider to be an adequate barrier to protect their families and possessions is "just a piece of glass" waiting to be shattered, said Orlando Police Department Cpl. Kevlon Kirkpatrick.That's what happened last week when three teenage boys broke into a Sanford home while three children were inside.

Elsewhere in Central Florida, police in Palm Bay recently issued a warning about burglars smashing their way through sliding-glass doors into homes along the Interstate 95 corridor.Although police could not say exactly how many burglars entered each home through sliding-glass doors, experts agree those are the most difficult places to secure.Officials say homeowners should follow these tips to improve security:'Burglar-proofing your home'"Hurricane-proofing your home is burglar-proofing your home," said Kirkpatrick, a crime-prevention and community-liaison officer.An alternative to replacing the glass would be fortifying the doors with a window film.Most homeowners can apply the film themselves, Kirkpatrick said.This layered film will not stop a brick from smashing through the glass, but it will hold the shards of glass together and maintain a barrier between the burglars and your possessions. That means a big mess and a huge delay for burglars.Although there are no foolproof safeguards to ensure that a determined burglar won't get in while you're away, anything that makes the job more difficult for time-pressed criminals could increase the chance they will leave empty-handed, Kirkpatrick said.

Securing sliding-glass doorsSuch doors are vulnerable even if not smashed.Standard factory locks can be often be opened with relative ease, and even locked doors can be lifted off their tracks for a quieter break-in — one that can be done without tools. A flat-head screwdriver makes the job even easier.Homeowners have several options to fix those problems.They can be simple: A wooden dowel jammed into the track to prevent the door from opening could slow a burglar.Or they can be a little more elaborate: A sliding bolt can be secured to the frame to prevent the door from moving even if it is lifted off its track.Alarm systemsAlarm systems are popular options. But they can have flaws.If burglars smash their way through sliding-glass doors, a door-frame alarm won't necessarily go off. That's why motion and glass-break sensors should be added near sliding-glass doors.Such devices don't have to be hooked into alarm systems that send alerts to alarm companies.You can buy motion and glass-break sensors that use alarms to frighten away criminals.