Thefts are one of the things that worries most homeowners. What is the best way to have a safe home? No doubt you will already have an alarm system (if not, install it now) and perhaps you have a dog to protect you. Statistics show that most thieves enter through the front door or the back door. So make them safe. Here are some suggestions.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Do you have the right door?
Step 1. Put a suitable door
If the front and rear doors have a lump or recess, replace them immediately. The same is true if they are hollow inside. How do you understand this? Knock. The cheapest are made with a cardboard core covered with plywood. All exterior doors should be thick and constructed of one of the following materials:
- Glass fiber
- Solid wood
- Plywood (a layer of veneer on top of solid wood)
- Metal (attention: in this case make sure that it is reinforced from the inside and has an armored lock, otherwise it could be bent with a simple jack)
Step 2. If you are installing or replacing a door and frame, think about fiberglass opening outward instead of the other way around (and don't forget to use safety hinges)
A door open in this way avoids forced entry.
Step 3. Replace patio doors with glassless doors
For maximum security there should be no glass near the front door, as thieves could break a window to enter and open the door from the inside.
If you have sliding patio doors, glass panels, and windows near the front door, use exterior grilles or shatterproof polycarbonate panels
Method 2 of 4: Lock the Doors
In a significant percentage of thefts, criminals enter through a door that is not locked. Even the toughest locks in the world are useless if you don't use them. Remember to lock the doors every time you go out, even if it's only for a few minutes.
Step 1. Install a latch
With the exception of sliding doors, exterior doors should also have a latch in addition to the internal handle lock. The latch must be of good quality (grade 1 or 2, metal with no marks on the outside), with an arm sticking out at least two and a half centimeters. The lock should be installed correctly. Many homes have low quality locks or locks with arms less than 2cm. In that case they must be replaced.
Step 2. Install another lock
Adding an extra lock will give you greater security. You can also install those 'exit-only', i.e. those locks that have no key hole on the outside. They are clearly visible from the outside, but cannot be broken without destroying the door, frame or lock itself. While this solution isn't very useful if you're not at home, it can still act as a deterrent to a potential thief.
Step 3. Make sliding doors safer
The best way is to install locks at the top and bottom. You can also put a bar that runs from the frame to the middle of the glass to prevent the door from opening. At least place a wedge (a thick piece of wood) in the bottom rail to prevent the door from being opened. Whichever method you choose, it is still a good idea to mount polycarbonate panels for protection.
Method 3 of 4: Reinforce Entrance
Step 1. Install a cylinder guard around the lock (the part where you insert the key)
Thieves sometimes remove or damage the lock cylinder with a hammer, forcefully or unhinge it. Protect it by placing one of these round anti-burglary plates on both sides of the door. Install the cleats with the round head latches to prevent them from being unscrewed. The vacuum rings will prevent the use of the wrench from breaking the cylinder. Many locks already have them, if not you can buy them.
Step 2. Replace the moving vents
The vents are metal plates that screw to cover the hole in the frame where the latch enters. All exterior doors should have a heavy metal one secured with 6cm screws. Many houses are built with poor quality materials and therefore on the doors there are cheap vents, secured with short screws, which do not remain well anchored to the frame.
Step 3. Secure the exposed hinges firmly
The hinges should be on the sides of the door. If they aren't, reattach the door and secure the exposed ones with non-removable screws. You can do this by removing at least the two central screws (one on each side) and replacing them with pin screws (found in hardware stores) or double-headed nails. Even the hinges that are not exposed must still be secured to the frame with 7.5 cm screws.
Step 4. Reinforce the frame
A burglar may be able to break into your home by forcing the frame even if you have a strong, quality door with a well-installed lock. Most of the frames are simply fixed to the wall, so they can be separated with a well-aimed kick or crowbar. Secure the frames by installing more 7 cm screws along the frame and the door stop. The screws should reach the supporting column of the wall.
Method 4 of 4: Peepholes
Step 1. Install a peephole
It allows you to see who is in front of the door. Install a broad spectrum model that allows you to observe the outside area well. If you have to open the door to look, the lock would be useless. Try to find one of those peepholes that cover up to prevent people from looking into your house.
Advice
- You can buy both single and double cylinder locks. The double cylinder requires a key on both sides, while the single cylinder requires the key on one side only. Double cylinder locks provide extra protection for the home, especially if the door is located near a window. Check if you can install it though. Also consider that you must have easy access to the keys in case of need!
- When attaching the cleats, angle the screws so they fit well into the frame.
- Garage doors are notoriously easy to walk through, so use the same measurements as home doors. Lock your car while it's in the garage and don't leave your keys inside the car or garage.
- Adding a double door that closes will make it harder for thieves to kick it through. The double door that looks like a gate is called a security door. They are doors that have locks and latches. Many don't like them. There are also models in laminated glass, which contain a tempered glass core that remains in place even in the event of breakage.
- Doors and their components need maintenance from time to time; if left untreated, they become easier to open. In particular, check that the sliding door rails are always in good condition and that the door remains on the rails.
- When placing a wedge behind a sliding door, use a piece of PVC, wood or aluminum. Avoid steel because it can be lifted with a strong magnet. PVC, wood and aluminum offer good resistance to anyone who tries to open the door. As soon as the thieves understand the difficulty, they will look for an easier target.
- You can also buy outdoor grating doors if you want additional protection.
- Most "simple" and quick thefts are the order of the day. For day and night protection these tips are perfect. It is also advisable to place outdoor lights, such as those on the porches. Otherwise you would be an easy target, especially if you live in a dodgy area.
- Add a couple of security cameras. You can set them to record on your PC or phone. There are special systems, similar to those of banks, which you can also buy on Amazon or eBay.
- Never leave your keys "hidden" under rugs, vases and other similar places. No matter how well hidden they are, there is a high chance that thieves will find them. Keep the keys on. If you have to leave them outside, put them in a box away from prying eyes.
- Examine your neighborhood and remember that professional thieves will choose the easiest targets first. Always try to make your property less attractive than that of those around you.
- Instead of a heavy interlocking lock, a 12 gauge galvanized pipe plus the latch will make it much more difficult to break down the door.
- A simple preventative measure to use when indoors is to put an empty glass bottle on the handle. It will fall as soon as you try to move it, making a lot of noise (unless there is a carpet on the floor). Watch out for any broken glass. Instead of the bottle, you can use a can full of pennies that will make a lot more noise, without breaking.
- Don't turn your home into a fortress. Firefighters use hand tools to get in in an emergency. As good as they are, they better find a quick alternative like a front window.
- Make sure your door lock plate has a tab that avoids being forced. There are also special protections.
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Image Turner lock-Polished Brass Locks, however good they may be, are of no use if they are not locked. Many forget to do this or are too lazy to lock when they leave. If this is your case, consider installing some sort of automatic lock, which closes from the outside without a key.
Warnings
- Even the strongest locking systems are useless if the frame around the door is not reinforced. Check that it is solid.
- The double cylinder locks, although safer, are a danger in case of fire as you have to quickly find the key to open them even from the inside. In some countries, they are prohibited by fire regulations. Consider the pros and cons before installing them.
- If you are not used to locking doors and only have one that locks without a key, remember to take them with you every time you go out. You may find yourself locked out more than once before it becomes a habit. Leave a copy of the key with the neighbor or talk to someone you trust instead of leaving a key hidden somewhere near the door.
- Choosing the lock is easy if you know how to do it correctly. Know all the differences well. There are brand name locks that, while expensive, provide the best possible protection.
- Don't let security obsess you. Of course you will want to take all possible measures to protect yourself, your family and your belongings, but the house does not have to become a prison. No matter what precautions you take, you could still be the victim of a crime. Live your life without fear.
