| According to some recent FBI statistics, a burglary | | | | types of locksyou should think about: |
| happens in the United States every 15.5 seconds, and | | | | - Purchase a high quality, heavy-duty, deadbolt lock |
| is the most common danger to the security of our | | | | that has a one-inch throw bolt (This is the part that |
| homes. This article discusses varied things you can | | | | slides into the door when it is locked) |
| do to make your home more secure. Burglary, by | | | | - If you have to use a "knob-in-lock", make sure you |
| definition, is non-confrontational and non-violent and | | | | use one that's superior quality, heavy duty, and has a |
| occurs when the person is not at home. Even though | | | | "dead-latch" feature. |
| the criminals have long since left the scene, the | | | | - A "dead-latch" mechanism prevents a credit card or |
| emotional effects of a burglary can be devastating. | | | | shim from being used to pop open the lock. |
| Before we dive into ways to prevent a home burglary, | | | | - A superior quality deadbolt will have what's called a |
| it's essential to have an understanding of when the | | | | beveled case. This usually stops the use of channel |
| home burglaries happen, who commits the burglaries, | | | | lock pliers to shear off the pins of the lock and get in. |
| and what is generally taken. | | | | - Invest in the extra money and get Grade One or |
| | | | | Grade Two locks for exterior doors, as these resist |
| Almost all home burglaries in a residence happen | | | | pounding, and lock picking. |
| during the day, when people are out of town or at | | | | An Extra Tip: |
| work. The summer months are when most home | | | | Most people leave a spare set of keys in the vehicle. |
| burglaries occur. February actually has the fewest | | | | Thieves are well aware of this and first look inside |
| number of burglaries compared to any other time of | | | | your vehicle for house keys and valuables. Don't fail to |
| the year. | | | | lock your automobile, even if it's "safely" in the garage. |
| | | | | Now let's talk about doors. |
| Burglaries are usually perpetrated by men under 25 | | | | Follow these tips below when considering doors in |
| years of age. The thieves are almost always trying to | | | | your house. |
| take off with small objects that are easy to carry | | | | - Don't fail to spend the extra money and purchase |
| away and swap for quick cash that is needed for | | | | solid core or metal doors for all exterior entrance |
| food an housing and more often than not, illegal drugs. | | | | points. Usually, cheap exterior doors will have hollow |
| | | | | cores, and can easily be kicked through with not much |
| The crooks usually grab guns, watches, jewelry, DVD | | | | effort by a determined bad guy. |
| players, and computers. All of these items are easily | | | | - If the door doesn't come with one, put in a peephole |
| hidden in a duffel bag as the criminal exits the house, | | | | that is a wide-angle 160°, placed no higher than 58 |
| and are easy to sell for to cash. | | | | inches from the floor. |
| | | | | - Make sure the door comes with a heavy-duty, |
| Burglars never wish to do any extra work if they don't | | | | four-screw, strike plate with 3-inch screws in order to |
| have to, so they first look for an unlocked door or | | | | sink deep into a wooden door frame. The strike plate |
| window. And, unlike most movies where the burglar | | | | is typically the weakest part of the door, as this is |
| carries a fancy lock pick kit, bad guys prefer to use | | | | where the deadbolt holds the door in place with the |
| basic household items such as screwdrivers, | | | | door jamb. Cheap doors are made with very soft |
| pliers,crow bars and hammers. | | | | wooden moldings that are typically lightly tacked onto |
| | | | | the door frame. All it takes a powerful kick or shove |
| Although it may seem like burglaries are random and | | | | with a shoulder to tear the lightweight molding away |
| happen on a whim, this is rarely the case. The bad guy | | | | and burst the door open. |
| will usually go for the easiest target. This is the | | | | - Also, always make sure that the screws that hold |
| residence with the easiest access, great places to | | | | the door hinges in place have a minimum two 3 inch |
| hide, and a adequate means of escape. | | | | screws per hinge plate. |
| Burglars usually go for the easy target! Most burglars | | | | - Make sure that the screws holding the knob lock |
| will stay away from your home if it seems too difficult | | | | strike plate are longer ones as well. |
| to break into. So the best way to help deter burglaries | | | | We always urge spending a little money to get great |
| is to make it difficult for a thief to break in. | | | | solid core or metal exterior doors, and strong, heavy |
| Experienced burglars pick an entry point that has the | | | | duty locks. Remember that an experienced burglar |
| most cover, and usually has the weakest lock. This is | | | | can identify good doors and good locks. |
| always the garage door, followed by the back door, | | | | It is very likely that the visible presence of these |
| and then the front door. | | | | upgrades will cause the burglar to think twice and seek |
| | | | | out an easier target. |
| But first let's review some recommendations on the | | | | |