Concerned about the security of your home? Find out the top five tips to burglar proof your home and keep your family and valuables safe from intruders.
If your neighborhood has been dealing with a small and unexpected wave of burglaries lately, or there have been lots of reported cases of petty theft in your vicinity and you are afraid you might turn into the next victim, you've reached the right page. For starters, you could take a look at the NeighborhoodScout Crime Risk Reports and instantly get an objective and realistic evaluation of the property crime risks in your neighborhood or at your exact address. Their rate of accuracy is 90 percent and they cover all US states and areas, so you should have no problem learning exactly what you need to know.
Secondly, it is time to secure your home against potential break-in attempts. It should all start with your front door. Fitting a top quality lock is, after all, your very first line of defense against burglars. A deadbolt lock is, however, only the beginning of any smart security upgrade. In reality, most burglars won 't even bother to try to pick the front door lock. They would rather kick it open or get inside using a window or a door that has remained open.
These next few front door burglar proof/fortification tips should come in handy to you, no matter if you have recently moved into a less safe neighborhood, or you are afraid your home might not be as safe as it used to be.
Tip #1: Replace Cheap Doors With Solid Ones
A hollow core door is only useful for interior doors, as it cannot provide a high level of protection against kicking and forced entry attempts. Exterior entryways should only be secured with the help of solid core made of metal or wood. They cost more, but the added protection is well worth the investment.
A pine wood door is one of the most affordable types of wooden doors, even though you are advised to buy a hardwood door for better results.
A steel door is also rather affordable and it can successfully withstand the test of rot and rust caused by the elements. However, a steel door can also easily crack under a powerful impact.
If you live in an area where hurricanes are a concern, as well as neighborhood burglars, you may want to search for a hurricane-rated door instead.
Tip #2: Install New Deadbolt Strike Plates
This is the piece of metal where the latch secures into the frame. Often times, this metal plate will do nothing more but simply hold the door closed, without playing any role in ensuring security during break-in attempts. The solution is to replace the standard strike plate with a more powerful box strike model that features longer screws (ideally 1-1/4 in. x 4-7/8 in) and a distinct brass-plated flat strike plate.
Opt for a new strike plate that has installation fasteners and a latch bolt box and hire professional locksmiths who can handle the replacement hassle-free. The last thing you want to do is install the strike plates the wrong way and make your door be more vulnerable than it initially was prior to replacing the old strike plates.
Tip #3: Reinforce The Front Door Jamb
Despite having installed a box plate, a burglar with lots of experience in the field will usually have no problem breaking down the frame using a few kicks. Since there are no more than one or two inches of wood keeping the strike plate in place, a sufficient number of kicks will eventually get the job done.
Specialized door reinforcement kits can strengthen security on a door by adding an extra layer of steel that should keep the frames in place for a longer time and prevent them from splitting.
Tip #4: Secure The Door Hinges
Take a close look at your front door. Do you notice it swinging out? Do the hinges look like they are on display? If experienced burglars notice a door swinging outwards, they may not hesitate to take advantage of this discovery. You can either use safety studs, setscrews or crimped pins to solve the problem. These measures will all stop the pin of the hinge from being removed – and the door from being lifted up and taken off by a skilled burglar.
Tip #5: Install New Deadbolts/Smart Locks
Have an expert lock technician evaluate the current state of the lock on your front door and help you burglar-proof your home by installing a sturdier lockset. The new lockset should consist of doorknobs, a latch that will be attached to the door, and a strike plate that will be attached to the frame. The set should also contain two long nails and four short nails for proper installation. Single or double cylinder deadbolt locks that are grade 1 rated make for some of the best door locks you could currently opt for.
If you are thinking about installing a keyless lock instead to get rid of the stress of getting locked out of your home because of misplaced keys or broken locks, you are on the right track. Most of these locks can be connected to a phone via Bluetooth or wireless networks. You should be able to control them with the help of a quick screen tap. You will make fewer calls to your local locksmith, especially since you should be able to fit these locks on your own, following detailed instructions.
However, for ideal results, you should hire an expert lock technician for homes and make sure your new lock will be accurately fitted from day one.
24/7 Locksmiths
Nationwide
Fast Response
