Doors & Windows

When protecting your home from break-ins, check the easiest points of entry: doors and windows.

• Choose solid wood or steel doors. Hollow wood doors can easily be kicked in.
  
  
• Install doors with the hinges on the inside of the door so hinges cannot be easily removed.
  
  
• Do not leave gaps around the door frame that would make doors vulnerable to prying.
  
  
• Use vertical bolts on sliding doors so burglars cannot gain entry by lifting them off the track. Reinforce security by placing a metal or solid wood rod on the inside track.
  
  
• Watch the electric garage door close completely when you come and go so that someone cannot sneak under as it closes.
  
  
• Make sure back doors and the door that connects your garage to your home are solid and secured with high security deadbolt locks.
  
  
• Lock your pet door when you are away. Thieves can convince children to crawl through it and open the door.
  
  
• Make sure your windows can be securely locked.
  
  
• Double-hung windows (the ones that slide up and down) are fairly safe, particularly if they have locks mounted on the sides or in the corners.