Home Security: Securing Doors & Windows.

According the FBI Crime Data Explorer, burglary rates have dropped significantly since 2010 but it is still a real threat that many people face and think about.  Besides your possessions being stolen, having your home burglarized can steal your sense of security too. This loss of security leads to looking for ways to regain the security of your home such as installing locks, cameras and alarms.

In most cases burglars gain entry to homes through windows and doors that are left unlocked. A typical incident lasts between 90 seconds and 12 minutes. This means that the burglar only has enough time to go after high value items that are easy to take. We call this “low-hanging fruit”.

Good news is there are things you can do to reduce your risk of being targeted. It starts with securing your home entryways. An entryway is a door, window or other opening that a human body can fit through. 

Window Security

All accessible windows (at the very least on your basement and first floor levels) are potential targets. Here are somethings you can do to mitigate your risk of someone gaining entry through windows: 

• Install keyed window latches. This type of window latch requires a key to open or close the window. It’s mounted on the window frame or sash and works well with single hung, double hung and sliding windows.  This prevents a thief from unlocking your window if they break it.
• Install a charley bar or place a piece of wood in the window track. A charley bar is an adjustable bar that is placed between the frame and the moveable part of the window to prevent it from opening. A piece of wood cut to length and placed in the sliding track of the window will work as well. 
• Install security bars. Also known as burglar bars, window bars, window guards, wrought iron, window lattice, and window grilles. This security measure involves installing metal bars on the windows. Security bars are used as a higher security measure for larger windows. However, they can be a good solution for smaller windows and openings, such as basement windows or vent openings.

Door Security

Entering through an unlocked door is ideal for a burglar but kicking open locked doors happens too. Another common method is smashing windows that are within an arm’s reach of a lock (40 inches) to unlock the door. Here are some easy security measures to reduce your risk a burglar from entering through a door: 

• Install a charley bar or place a piece of wood in the door track. Installing a charley bar or placing a piece of wood in the door track of a sliding glass door can keeps it from being opened even if the lock is defeated. 
• Install cylinder deadbolt locks. Install hardened steel cylinder deadbolts on all entry doors. The lock should have at least a 1 inch projecting bolt when locked. Doors with windows should have a double cylinder deadbolt installed. A double cylinder deadbolt lock requires a key to lock and unlock the door from both sides. If the door window is broken the door cannot be unlocked without the key. Deadbolt locks are to be used in conjunction with the door handle locks.
• Install high security strike plates and latch protectors. The strike plate is the weakest part of a door. When a door is kicked in it usually breaks in this area. To mitigate a door from being kicked in it is recommended to re-enforce this area by installing high security strike plates and latch protectors. High security strike plates have offset screw holes and are installed with 3.5 inch screws. Some security strike plates come with latch protectors but if not then the protectors can be installed separately. Latch protectors reduce the risk of doors being jimmied or shimmed opened.

Additional Security Measures

Additional security measures can be used to further reduce your chances of being a victim of burglary. Additional security measures include:

• Install monitored alarm systems. All doors and windows should have alarms installed that are monitored by a law enforcement agency or security company. Doing this allows for quicker law enforcement response and better chance of catching the thief. 
• Install security cameras. Each entryway and alarm point should have a camera monitoring it. This allows for video recordings to be used as evidence of the crime and potential identification of the burglar. Cameras also act as a deterrent and could make the thief think twice about stealing anything.
• Install security signs. The signs act as a deterrent by letting everyone know your property is monitored by alarms and cameras. It is best to place these signs in windows and areas that are visible to a person as they approach your property.
• Obtain personal property and or renters insurance. Yes, obtaining insurance is a form of security. In risk management this is known as transferring risk and is one way to mitigate risk exposure. An insurance policy on your high valued items can help with replacing them if a thief is successful at defeating your security.