The 2 most important things you can do to thwart break-ins at your home
- by The Lord Humungus
- 6 years ago
- 1 comments
The vast majority of residential break-ins and burglaries occur right through the front door. Either because it is unlocked, or it is simply kicked in.
Its shocking how weak your front door is. They really only provide the illusion of security, and don’t do much at all to actually prevent anybody from getting into your house, even when locked and dead-bolted or chained.
Windows are another obvious point of entry. Glass is easy to break, and there are windows all over most houses.
The obvious first step is to always make sure you lock your doors and windows. No matter how safe you think your neighborhood is, there is no good reason to make it that easy for people to get in your house. Just lock your doors and windows.
Beyond that, the 2 most important things you can do to prevent a burglary is to make it much more difficult to break into your home – Physically strengthen your doors and windows.
How to Strengthen your doors:
Upgrade your strike plate: https://amzn.to/2BVmWcT
Get a metal security door for outside your main door: https://www.lowes.com/search?searchTerm=security+door
Also consider a door blocking device like these:
https://amzn.to/2Vqojcr
https://amzn.to/2Rw7OfQ
How to strengthen your windows:
For windows, bars are an obvious option, but they are expensive and unsightly, and might actually not be allowed if your neighborhood has a homeowner’s association. They can also make it difficult or impossible to escape through a window in the event of a fire or similar situation.
Window security film is a worthwhile alternative: https://amzn.to/2R3IYV4
While it won’t make your windows nearly as impenetrable as steel bars, security film will make it much more difficult to break them, giving you precious seconds to get ready to defend yourself, and to call the police. I recommend doing calling the police AND preparing to defend yourself, as relying exclusively on the police to get there in time to help you is a recipe for disaster.
The film is also basically invisible, and has no chance of trapping you in the building.
Don’t keep yourself up at night worrying that dedicated people could still get into your house – These two measures will stop 90% of burglary attempts, and give you a lot more time to get geared up for self-defense if bad guys are really determined to get in.
– Eric AKA The Lord Humungus
The Lord Humungus rules the wasteland
Very cool. I have been trying to figure out how to secure a sliding glass door from attacks and now I have some great ideas. Something like a combination of the shatter-proof film and a barn door barrier.