Exterior Doors
Many residential doors feature hollow-core
construction and poor locks, which are easily forced or kicked open. For
additional protection, you need solid core doors and quality locks.
Arcadia Doors
Many burglars enter homes through improperly
secured arcadia doors. Additional locks and security measures will prevent the
door from being opened or lifted out of the track.
Screws installed in the track above the sliding
door frame will prevent the door from being lifted out of the track. Drill a
pilot hole in the top track above, and slightly in, from each corner of the
sliding doorframe section and install a screw into each hole. Adjust the screws
so that the head of the screw just barely clears the frame when it is moved back
and forth.
Double Doors
These doors need solid security as they are
easily jimmied or forced open. Flush lever bolts installed at the top and bottom
of the doors are recommended. Make sure the bolt is long, sturdy and mounted
into a solid door frame.
Doors with Windows
Doors with glass windows or glass ornamentation require double key deadbolt
locks. This prevents the burglar from breaking the glass and reaching inside to
unlock the door.
The key to a double key deadbolt lock should be
left in the lock at all times when someone is home to ensure easy exit in the
event of a fire or other emergency.
Garage Doors
Standard locks on garage doors are easily pried,
allowing a burglar access to your home without detection. Cane bolts and hasps
are excellent protection. Make certain each side of the garage door is secured
to prevent prying open a crawl space. Any door leading from the garage into the
house should be securely locked. The more barriers you provide against the
burglar, the better protected you are.
Hinges
Many homes have doors that open to the outside, exposing the hinge pins.
Despite a good strong lock, the burglar can remove the pins and lift the door
from the frame.
To prevent this, remove two opposing screws
from each leaf of the hinge. Screw a long lag bolt into the frame side of the
hinge leaf and saw off the head leaving about 1/2 inch protruding. Drill out the
opposite hole to allow the bolt to enter when the door is closed. Do this to the
top and bottom hinge plates.
The burglar can remove the hinge pins, but the
door will remain firmly in place. This technique is good for any door, no matter
how the hinges have been placed.
Door Viewers
To avoid opening your door without knowing who is
there, install a door viewer. This device has a wide-angle lens to let you see
someone standing outside your door without opening it.
Spring Latch
Some homes come equipped with this lock. It
offers very little protection since the bolt can be slipped with a credit card
or knife.
This same lock, with a deadbolt latch, provides
more protection, but it too can be forced open.
Deadbolt Locks
A deadbolt lock can provide good protection. When
you turn the key, the lock mechanism slides a strong metal bolt from the door
into the frame. When you buy a deadbolt lock, make sure that the bolt extends at
least one inch from the edge of the door, the connecting screws that hold the
lock together are on the inside of the door, the strike plate is attached to the
door frame with screws that measure at least three inches in length and that the
cylinder has a steel guard around the key section. The cylinder guard should be
tapered or rotate freely around the key section to prevent wrenching if it is
twisted.
Single Cylinder Deadbolt
A solid bolt, activated by a key from the outside
or a knob on the inside, slides into the doorframe. The lock cannot be slipped
or easily pried. Deadbolt locks are only as good as the door and frame they are
installed in.
Double Cylinder Deadbolt
This lock is basically the same as the single
cylinder deadbolt, except that it requires a key to be used from either side to
function.
Rim Lock
This lock has either horizontal or vertical
deadbolts. It cannot be easily slipped, pried or forced with a wrench. This
lock, like all others, requires a strong mounting surface and hardware to be
effective.
Padlocks
When selecting padlocks to secure your garage door, storage shed, fence gate
or toolbox, do not economize. Low-priced locks are made from low quality
materials and easily pried open or cut with bolt cutters. Look for these
features when purchasing a padlock:
- Double locking shackle at the toe and heel
- Hardened steel shackle, the larger the
diameter the better
- Five pin tumbler
- Key retaining feature (prevents removal of
the key when unlocked)
- A strong steel hasp used with the padlock
Sliding Windows
Sliding glass windows should be given the same
security treatment as arcadia doors. Use the same supplementary locks or screws
in the frame. Screws installed in the track above the sliding window frame will
prevent the window from being lifted out of the track.
Drill a pilot hole in the top track above each
corner of the window frame and install a screw into each hole. Adjust the screws
so that the head of the screw just barely clears the frame when it is moved back
and forth.
Casement - Crank Windows
These windows are easily secured. The latch
should close properly with the window tight. With the latch in a closed
position, drill a small hole through the latch frame and handle. Insert a metal
pin through the hole to lock the window.
For additional security, a small padlock can be
used in place of the pin. Key operated replacement latches are also available
from a locksmith or hardware store. Keep the key handy in case of emergency.
Double Hung Windows
An easy, inexpensive way to secure your windows
is to use the "pin" trick. Drill an angled hole through the top frame of the
lower window partially into the frame of the upper window. Then insert the pin
(a nail or an eyebolt that is slightly smaller in diameter than the hole). The
window can't be opened until you remove the pin. Make a second set of holes with
windows partially open so you can have ventilation without inviting intruders.
You also may purchase special key locks for
windows at a hardware store.
For additional information about burglary
prevention, Crime Watch, and other crime prevention measures, call or email the
Bogota Police @
201-487-2400.
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