Awareness

Home Security: The Basics

Expert Chris McGoey offers simple, common-sense advice for home security against burglary and intrusion

By Chris E. McGoey, home security expert (crimedoctor.com)

" Use a solid core or metal door for all entrance points.
" Use a heavy-duty deadbolt lock with a one-inch throw bolt.
" Use a heavy-duty knob-in-lock set with a dead-latch mechanism.
" Use a heavy-duty, four-screw strike plate with three-inch screws to penetrate into a wooden door frame.
" Use a wide-angle 160° peephole mounted no higher than 58 inches.

2. Sliding-Glass Patio Doors

Sliding glass doors are secured by latches—a home security weak point—not locks. They are vulnerable to being forced open from the outside because of these inherently defective latch mechanisms. This can be easily prevented by inserting a wooden dowel or stick into the track, thus preventing or limiting movement. Other blocking tools include  metal fold-down blocking devices, called "charley bars," and various track-blockers that can be screwed down.

The blocking devices described above solve half the equation. Older sliding-glass doors can be lifted up and off their track,  thereby defeating the latch mechanism. To prevent lifting, you need to keep the door rollers in good condition and properly adjusted. You can also install anti-lift devices such as a pin that extends through both the sliding and fixed portion of the door. There are also numerous locking and blocking devices available that will prevent a sliding door from being lifted or forced horizontally. Place highly visible decals on the glass door near the latch mechanism that indicates an alarm system, a dog or neighborhood watch operation is in place. 

" Use a secondary blocking device on all sliding glass doors.
" Keep the latch mechanism in good condition and properly adjusted.
" Keep sliding door rollers in good condition and properly adjusted.
" Use anti-lift devices such as through-the-door pins or upper track screws.
" Use decals indicating alarm, dog or neighborhood watch organizations.

3. Windows

An open window, visible from the street or alley, may be the sole reason for your home to be selected by a burglar. While ground-floor windows are more susceptible to break-ins for obvious reasons, upper floor windows become attractive if they can be accessed from a stairway, tree, fence or balcony. Windows have latches, not locks, and therefore should have secondary blocking devices to prevent sliding them open from the outside. Inexpensive wooden dowels and sticks work well for horizontal sliding windows, and through-the-frame pins are effective for vertical sliding windows. For ventilation, block the window open no more than six inches, and make sure no one can reach in from the outside and remove the blocking device or reach through and unlock the door.

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