Windows that are old, rotten or damaged should be replaced as soon as possible. If there is enough structural damage to the window, a burglar might be able to rip the window right out from the wall. So check the windows in your home, especially ones closer to the ground that might be more convenient to intruders. Although it’s expensive to replace windows, it’s cheaper than re-buying the items that a burglar stole from you.

Install burglar bars or security film to the windows. The bars might not be attractive, but they definitely send the signal that your house isn’t a target for crime. If you have larger windows, the security film might be more appropriate.

It’s wise to check your existing locks to see if they’re still working effectively. If you don’t use a window regularly or just moved into a new place, you might miss this simple but yet important security feature. All of your windows should have operational locks, but if you have to replace them, it’s an easy installation.

The next step is to lock your windows with security pins. These connect the window’s sashes together and lock them into place so the window can’t be opened. Fortunately, you can unlock the pin with a key and use the window when you need to. If you go this route, it will be important for you to keep the key in an accessible place in case you have an emergency and have to go out the window.

Windows can add beauty to a home, but they can also entice burglars. Even if you turn on some security lighting near your windows, you will make your windows less attractive to intruders.

A door phone is similar to an intercom system. However, it has an additional and important feature: a camera. The camera enables you to see the person at your door up close and personal. If you decide to purchase a door phone, it’s important to look for the following features:

• Waterproof external camera with infrared illuminator (enables you to see better in the dark);
• Durable and theft proof external box and camera socket;
• Transparent plastic barrier on the camera lens;
• Audio communication;
• A wide camera scope, preferably more than 180 degrees;
• Visual and audio elements are compatible (if camera breaks down, you should still be able to communicate);
• Alarm system to prevent or alert if vandalism is occurring;
• DIY system for easy installation that saves you money; and
• Multi-optional installation brackets for mounting.

A door phone is a convenient piece of technology to have at your doors, and it also can give you some piece of mind. When you’re children become old enough to stay at home alone, this can give you some reassurance that they won’t open the door for strangers. It’s beneficial to go over the new device with all family members and especially children so everyone knows how to use it effectively. The door phone is for everyone’s protection, so inform your nanny, housekeeper, etc. that it’s there.

Starting a new routine for answering the door is the best way to make sure that the door phone is used to its advantage. Have one of your family members or friends volunteer to stand outside the door so others can watch how it works. You should always make sure that the person at the door uses the video door phone. If they refuse to use it, threaten to call the police. Or if the person is hiding something from the camera, request that they put it within the camera’s view.

Technology such as this can make you feel more safe in your home and prevent you from having to open up the door when you don’t know someone.

1. Make sure that there are locks on all windows. You can also install an additional security device to prevent the window from opening too wide.
2. Limit access to your home by investing in fingerprint locks.
3. Install dead bolts with captive keylocks on your doors. The removable thumb latch will make it impossible for a thief to reach through the window and unlock the door.
4. Lock all doors and windows (including second story ones) even if you’re leaving your house for a few minutes.
5. Ensure that all of your doors lock from the inside and outside.
6. Install a chain lock so that you can talk to people outside of your door without giving them a view or accessibility to your home.
7. Re-key one door so that you can give this key out to friends or family. If this key gets lost, it’s easier and cheaper to change the lock on one door rather than all of the doors.
8. Color code all of your keys so you can quickly figure out which key opens what door.
9. Always re-key the locks when you move into a house or apartment, because you never know who the previous owners might have given an extra key to.
10. Store an extra key in a combination or key lockbox if you’re worried about locking yourself out.
11. Update your home with modern locks, because they can be refitted to the door and provide a more reliable locking mechanism.
12. Use keypads if several people need access to your home, but give each person a different code so you can monitor their use. Or use combination keyless locks to keep certain individuals out of specific areas of your house.

Locks have become more functional, and as technology develops, it will be interesting to see how much more secure they will become. In the meantime, these tips will prevent crime and keep your mind at ease.

The number one benefit of window bars is that they keep thieves from getting inside. The simple design prevents intruders from slipping into your home, and they are also helpful if you have small children who could fall out of a window. Although these bars might seem restricting, some come with locking mechanisms that can be released quickly in case you need to escape your home due to a fire or other emergency. There are also a few designs you can choose from so the bars don’t seem so permanent.

A couple downsides are that not all bars come with a release mechanism, and they are only a small contribution to your larger home security plan. Installing the safest design is crucial, because you don’t want to be trapped inside your home during a fire simply because the new security bars you put in are doing their job. Also, you should have other security measures in place and not think that you’re home is now resistant to crime simply because the window bars are a deterrent.

Whether you want to protect your home windows, patio doors or back door, there are adjustable bars and various designs that can get the job done. Some features you want to look for are easy-to-install products, an attractive and durable finish, adjustable lengths, strong steel tubing, saw-resistant roll bars and tamper-resistant mounting hardware. If you want to be able to open your windows, look for swing-away window bars that are secured with a padlock or safety release pin.

If you have a security system and have sensors in your windows, you might consider removable window bars. These are for temporary usage so you can put them in place for extra safety when you leave for a long vacation or a short business trip. Another option is permanent window bars, which can be used where an emergency escape is not a concern. For instance, you might install permanent bars in garage or shed windows.

Placing security bars on your home’s windows is a start and an excellent place to begin if you’re unable to invest more money into your security plan at this time.

What type of door would be hardest to break down? Are there windows within or alongside the door that could easily be broken, allowing a burglar to reach in and access the lock? Are the locks built with high grade steel or something cheaper?

Let’s take a look at what you should look for in a door to ensure it won’t be easy for a thief to bypass.

Door Material

It’s a common assumption that steel or fiberglass doors are more secure (harder to break down) than a wood door, but this isn’t actually what we need to worry about. It’s not the door but the latch-side jamb that is the weak link in any exterior door. A forceful kick can split the jamb without actually damaging the door itself.

To prevent someone from damaging the jamb, install an extra-long security strike plate. Sink three inch screws into the neighboring stud.

Door Thickness

While the jamb may be the weakest link, that doesn’t mean the door itself shouldn’t be stout. Choose a beefy 1 3/4th inch thick door over the standard 1 3/8th inch models. These thicker doors still accept standard locksets (if you go thicker, you’ll need a special lock and bigger hinges).

Glass

Many homeowners find a glass window in or beside a door attractive and also appreciate the natural light it allows in. Choosing a door with regular window glass or even tempered glass makes a tempting target for burglars though, since these types of windows can be broken, allowing access to the lock.

Instead choose a hurricane-rated glass. These types of windows feature an unbreakable inner plastic layer.

Hinges

To ensure the hinges are securely anchored to the stud, choose three inch long screws.

Locks

Mortise locks are usually constructed with higher grade steel than average bored locksets you’ll pick up at the home improvement shop. Spend a little bit more for the added durability and security.

Source: March 2009 issue of This Old House

There are quite a few extra security devices you can get for your doors that add even more protection. Today we’ll take a look at hinge bolts, rack bolts, self-locking bolts, door chains, and door limiters.  Any of these types of door hardware can improve your home’s security, and they are relatively inexpensive to install.

Hinge Bolts

Hinges bolts are a good idea for doors where the hinges are on the outside (if a burglar can access the hinges, he can jemmy them and gain access without messing with the locks at all).

To add security to your hinges, install hinge bolts about 75 mm away from the hinges. You need two per door.

Rack Bolts

A rack bolt is a bit like a deadbolt except that the bolt is secured with a fluted key instead of a thumb tab. This makes it very hard for a burglar to get the right angle for unlocking the bolt if he breaks a side window and is trying to reach around from outside.

As for installation, rack bolts are mortised into the opening edge of the door. For extra security you can fit two to each door, one up top and one down below.

Self-locking Bolts

If a door is too thin for a rack bolt, consider a self-locking bolt. These bolts are surface mounted, meaning they are installed on the interior side of the door instead of within the jamb.

With a self-locking bolt, you simply push the bolt end to slide it into the locked position. These are very simple to install.

Door Chains

Just about everybody is familiar with door chains. They are helpful in case an intruder poses as someone you’d open the door for and then tries to force his way inside once you crack the door. A door chain prevents the door from opening more than a few inches. (Note: a peep hole is always a good idea so you can see who is out there before opening up!)

The strength of a door chain depends on how well it is anchored to the door and the frame, so it pays to use the longest and heaviest-gauge screws that will fit.

There are numerous door chain patterns available. Examples include a simple chain, a chain combined with a sliding bolt, a chain that can be unlocked from the outside with a key, and even a chain with a built in alarm that is triggered when someone tries to force his way inside.

Door Limiters

The last type of door security hardware we’ll look at is the door limiter. This is basically a more substantial version of a door chain. It has a sliding bar that replaces the chain.

When it’s in place, the bar engages with the retaining part of the unit to restrict the opening of the door. The door must be fully closed and the bar swung away before entry can be gained.

There go you: some extra security options for your doors.  All of these pieces of hardware are quite affordable, so consider taking this simple step to beef up your home’s security!

Let’s take a look at some of the ways burglars can get in through doors:

Impersonating Other People

The easiest way for a burglar to get in is for you to open the door for him!

It’s not uncommon for burglars to pretend to be police officers, UPS delivery folks, cable installers, meter readers, and other service people who you’d naturally open the door to talk to.  It’s always smart to ask for identification or have the address read on the package (to ensure it’s from someone you know) before opening the door.

A side window makes it easy to see who’s out there and what they’re holding before opening the door, but if you don’t have this, you may consider installing a wide-angle door viewer that lets you see whoever is standing outside.  Also, a simple chain lock lets you open the door a few inches while still retaining control.

Removing the Hinges

If your door’s hinges are visible from the outside, a burglar may be able to get inside without ever touching the lock.

Most door hinges have two metal plates with “knuckles” on one edge.  A vertical pin goes through the knuckles, and holds the plates together when everything is aligned.  However, the hinge pins can often be pulled out, thus disconnecting the door from the frame.  The burglar simply removes the door and walks right in.

To protect against this, consider doors with interior hinges, hinges with nonremovable pins, or inexpensive hinge reinforcers.

Kicking Doors Down

You’ve seen it on TV, and yes it’s possible for a burglar to kick a door down.

The success of this move depends on you having a weak strike plate (on the door jamb) or a weak edge on the lock side of the door.  This isn’t all that uncommon on old doors.

You can get a new door, but to save money you can also consider door reinforcers, which usually cost $20 or less.

Prying off the Door’s Stop Molding

The “stop moldings” are the protruding strips which are installed on three sides of a door frame: the lock side, the hinge side, and the top.  Their purpose is to stop the door from swinging too far when you close it, and if your hinges are on the interior of your door, the stop moldings will be on the outside.

In older homes–or cheaply constructed ones–the stop molding may be little more than thin strips of wood.  They can easily be pried off, exposing the bolt, which makes the lock easier to attack.

If your moldings look weak, you can install a new door frame or reinstall the moldings using plenty of wood glue and nails, so they can’t be pried off easily.

Prying open Sliding Glass Doors

While sliding glass balcony or patio doors are nice for letting in light, they can be very vulnerable to burglars.  Their frames and locks tend to be weak, and a sliding glass door can be forced simply by prying the sliding panel away from the door frame.

A simple fix is to insert a fitted wood board into the track, so the door cannot be slid from the outside.  You can also get various sliding door barriers at home improvement stores, or you can pick up a lock that holds the frames together.

As you can see, there are a number of ways doors are vulnerable to burglars that have nothing to do with fancy lock picking skills or burglary tools.  The first step to good home security is making sure this number 1 point of entry is taken care of!

Source: The Complete Book of Home, Site and Office Security