A Fresh Take on Burglar-Proofing Your Doors
More than two thirds of burglars choose to enter a home through a door, either front or back one. This may come as a surprise, since doors are usually made of solid material, unlike windows, but it just shows what your most vulnerable access point is.
Naturally, improving the level of security provided by your doors alone is often not enough to deter potential home-invaders, but if you see it as one of the measures you’ve taken to boost the overall security, you’ll not only put your mind at ease, but also prevent potential major loss of possession.
So, what is it that you can do to burglar proof your doors?
Invest in solid door
Any door that provides access to your home should be as solid and kick-proof as possible. There’s little point in investing in a state-of-the-art front door if your back door is old and shabby. Hence, make sure you give the same amount of attention to all of them.
In terms of material, you can go for wood, fiberglass or metal, but in case you choose metal, you need to get a reinforced one, which can’t be bent. Of course, reinforced steel would be the best, but it needs lots of additional maintenance in order to prevent rust.
No need for windows
How many times have you seen it in a film or series: an invader breaks the window, puts his arm through, reaches for the lock from the inside and unlocks the door? If you’re having a new door installed, it’s wise to choose one without any glass surface. On the other hand, if you really have your heart set on that particular door which feature a window, make sure the glass is reinforced. Finally, you might consider installing an additional door lock at floor level, which can’t be reached if the window is smashed.
Make your doors (and windows) visible
You need to get rid of any plants that might obscure the door, since that is a perfect hideout for a burglar, who may take his time figuring how to enter your home. So, no matter how thick or beautiful your bushes, shrubs or trees are, they present a security concern in the vicinity of your doors and windows.
Deadbolt is the way to go
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link and that rule can also be applied in case of your door. No matter how strong and sturdy your door is, if your lock doesn’t provide equally good protection you’re very vulnerable, claim the people behind Locksmith Sydney.
That’s why you should invest in a deadbolt, but make sure you don’t go for the cheapest model. Ask a shop assistant for advice about the best option in the price range you can afford.
Secondary Protection
What you can also do to improve the safety is have additional one-sided deadbolt installed. Since they can be used only from the inside of the house, a burglar will find it almost impossible to bypass such protection, while you and your family remain safe at your home.
Sliding doors
Although it may not seem like that, a sliding glass door can provide decent protection, provided you do your part. If the glass is reinforced, a home-invader will find it much more difficult to break in. Also, such door should always be locked and you can put a long metal dowel in the track, so that the door can’t be opened using force.
Additional protection
Needless to say, an alarm system is a great addition, with motion and vibration sensors reacting in case the glass is broken or unauthorized entry is made. Finally, curtains don’t only provide protection from the sun, but also from prying eyes.
As you can see, there’s quite a lot you can do in terms of making your home burglar-proof. Some steps require a more significant investment, but you should always think about potential damage and loss you’d suffer if a burglar managed to get into your home and steal some of your most valuable possessions. Such occurrences do not only have financial, but also psychological effects, since it’ll take you a lot of time to get over the sense of insecurity and vulnerability. So, do what you can to prevent that from happening in the first place.