Outdoor Home Security

Home Security: Door Locks, Doors & More

How secure is your door?  And I just don’t mean is it actually locked!  Because even a locked door may not offer much in terms of home security.

What are some things you should be aware of when it comes to you doors?  Your main concern should be the lock on your door.  In future posts I’ll get into more detail on locks, but for the sake of this post, I’ll say that a dead-bolt is a must.  Don’t think that by adding something like a chain lock to another flimsy lock is going to help you in any way.  Once a thief easily gets past that flimsy lock, all s/he has to do is give the door a good kick and that chain lock will rip right out of the frame.  So again, invest in a good dead-bolt.  This can be a keyed or combination lock, both are available, but some feel that the combo isn’t a good idea.

As for the door itself, it should be solid wood or metal.   These are considered burglar resistant.   Instead of plain old glass in the sidelights or door inserts, use wired glass or acrylic.  And make sure the door fits properly into the door frame.  If the door isn’t snug, it will be easier for someone to break in.

What about your patio doors?  How secure are they?  Some of the best on the market have not only a lock at the handle, but a lock at the floor.  The concept is the same as the dead-bolt on your front door expect the bolt goes into a metal slot on the bottom track of the door and prevents the door from sliding.   And of course, there is the old standby of putting an old broom handle along the track to prevent the door from sliding open.

And make sure you have proper lighting at all entrance areas.  Thieves aren’t interested in getting caught in what equates to a spot light!