Did you know that nearly a third of reported break-ins in North America occur because doors or windows were left unlocked? Unfortunately, many criminals take advantage of the absentminded or careless behavior of many homeowners. The good news is there are several steps that you can take to help protect your family and your most prized possessions. By following some of the steps outlined in this article you will be able to prevent any unwanted burglaries and home intrusions.
Making the Proper Additions to Your Windows
If possible, we would recommend that you add grills or bars to your windows to make it next to impossible for burglars to break-in via your windows. If, however, you feel that adding bars or grills may be excessive, then you can simply upgrade the locks on your windows and ensure that they remain locked whenever you leave your home or before you go to bed. In addition, you can enhance the security of your windows by adding window cameras as well as floodlights to your windows.
We would strongly recommend that you install reinforced window glass to reduce the risk of a break-in. Even something as simple as adding thorny landscaping can deter criminals from attempting to break-in to your home.
How to Keep Your Doors More Secure
Many homeowners don’t take the extra measures to ensure that their front door is secure because they feel that burglars won’t target it due to its highly visible location, However, in reality, over a third of burglars break-in to a home via the front door. To do so, they will either open a door that has already been unlocked, kick it in, or use a lockpick to gain entry into the home. The good news is there are several things you can do to make your doors more secure.
The first thing to focus on is ensuring your door is manufactured using only reinforced wood or steel. Having a solid door will prevent it from being kicked-in or from wedging apart. Reinforced wood and steel are very resistant to damage and are highly durable materials. However, you can also opt for a door made with either metal or fibreglass. However, if you decide to install a metal or fibreglass door, we would recommend that you add supplementary interior reinforcements so that a burglar cannot use a car jack to bend your door open.
We would also recommend that you install a front door that does not include windows. Many homeowners will install a front door with windows to allow more exterior light to enter their homes or to create a more inviting ambiance. However, if the door’s window is situated near the door-knob or near the lock then a criminal can simply break the window to gain access to the knob or door lock. Hence, we would recommend going with a windowless door design for both your front and back doors if possible.
Landscaping should also be reduced as much as possible. Well-designed and manicured landscaping has a myriad of benefits, such as increasing the curb appeal of your home, but it can also have several drawbacks as well. For instance, if you were to plant a large hedge or bush near your front door then it can serve as a hiding spot for criminals to lurk until they find an opportunity to strike.
As with many things in life, trying to cut costs will usually end up costing more down the line. Relying on an inexpensive deadbolt or flimsy door lock to secure your property can be a recipe for disaster. Instead, we would strongly suggest that you invest in a deadbolt that can be installed deep into the frame of your door to prevent a thief from breaking it in. You can further augment your door security by adding an interior lock that cannot be unlocked via a key. Examples include a sliding chain or bolt that will be nearly impossible to tamper with.
A reinforced door frame can pay great dividends in the future. A flimsy jamb or door frame can easily be kicked in by a burglar if they really want to. The good news is you can prevent this by adding a deeper box strike with 3-inch screws that are installed into the wall and the jamb to enhance the attachment. Afterwards, you should reinforce the jamb itself by using galvanized steel.
Finally, if you have sliding glass doors then you can help secure them by installing reinforced plastic or glass to reduce the chance of breakage. Security vibration locks and sensors, such as keyed patio-door locks that are affixed to the door frame and door to prevent it from being shaken off, will further enhance security. Adding a metal dowel or a dowel made of wood in the track behind the sliding glass door will also help prevent the door from being violently broken open, and will keep you and your loved ones safe from intruders.
To learn more about keeping the doors and windows in your home secure, call Canglow Windows and Doors at 587-409-0984 or contact us here.
