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| Robbinsdale Crime Prevention Association |
| Dragonfly Designs Web www.dragonflydesignsweb.com |
Making your home safer from crime doesn’t always mean having to install expensive
alarms—effective home security starts with properly locked doors and windows and
visible, well- lighted entryways.
EXTERIOR DOORS
All exterior doors should be either metal or solid wood. For added security, use
strong door hinges on the inside of the door, with non-removable or hidden pins.
Every entry door should be well lighted and have a wide-angle door viewer so you
can see who is outside without opening the door.
SLIDING GLASS DOORS
Sliding glass doors can offer easy entry into your home. To improve security on
existing sliding glass doors, you can install keyed locking devices that secure the
door to the frame; adjust the track clearances on the doors so they can’t be pushed
out of their tracks; or put a piece of wood or a metal bar in the track of the closed
door to prevent the door from opening even if the lock is jimmied or removed.
alarms—effective home security starts with properly locked doors and windows and
visible, well- lighted entryways.
EXTERIOR DOORS
All exterior doors should be either metal or solid wood. For added security, use
strong door hinges on the inside of the door, with non-removable or hidden pins.
Every entry door should be well lighted and have a wide-angle door viewer so you
can see who is outside without opening the door.
SLIDING GLASS DOORS
Sliding glass doors can offer easy entry into your home. To improve security on
existing sliding glass doors, you can install keyed locking devices that secure the
door to the frame; adjust the track clearances on the doors so they can’t be pushed
out of their tracks; or put a piece of wood or a metal bar in the track of the closed
door to prevent the door from opening even if the lock is jimmied or removed.
| LOCK CRIME OUT of Your Home |
WINDOWS
Most standard double-hung windows have thumbturn locks between the two window panels.
Don’t rely on these—they can be pried open or easily reached through a broken pane. Instead,
install keyed locking devices to prevent the window from being raised from the outside, but
make sure everyone in the house knows where to find the keys in case of an emergency. Some
jurisdictions have restrictions on this type of lock—check with your local law enforcement before
you install them. 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 a nail or eyebolt. The window can’t be opened until you remove the
nail. Make a second set of holes with the windows partly opened so you can have ventilation
without intruders.
Most standard double-hung windows have thumbturn locks between the two window panels.
Don’t rely on these—they can be pried open or easily reached through a broken pane. Instead,
install keyed locking devices to prevent the window from being raised from the outside, but
make sure everyone in the house knows where to find the keys in case of an emergency. Some
jurisdictions have restrictions on this type of lock—check with your local law enforcement before
you install them. 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 a nail or eyebolt. The window can’t be opened until you remove the
nail. Make a second set of holes with the windows partly opened so you can have ventilation
without intruders.
LIGHTING
Lighting is one of the most cost-effective deterrents to burglary.
Indoor lighting gives the impression that a home is occupied. If you are
going to be away from your home, consider using automatic timers to
switch interior lights on and off at preset times. Outdoor lighting can
eliminate hiding places. Install exterior lighting near porches, rear and
side doorways, garage doors, and all other points of entry. Entryways
to your home always should be well lighted. Place lights out of reach
from the ground so the bulbs cannot be removed or broken. Aim some
lights away from the house so you can see if anyone is approaching,
or install motion- sensing lights, which turn on automatically as
someone approaches.
Lighting is one of the most cost-effective deterrents to burglary.
Indoor lighting gives the impression that a home is occupied. If you are
going to be away from your home, consider using automatic timers to
switch interior lights on and off at preset times. Outdoor lighting can
eliminate hiding places. Install exterior lighting near porches, rear and
side doorways, garage doors, and all other points of entry. Entryways
to your home always should be well lighted. Place lights out of reach
from the ground so the bulbs cannot be removed or broken. Aim some
lights away from the house so you can see if anyone is approaching,
or install motion- sensing lights, which turn on automatically as
someone approaches.
SHRUBS AND LANDSCAPING
Your home’s walkways and landscaping should direct
visitors to the main entrance and away from private
areas. The landscaping should provide maximum
visibility to and from your house. Trim shrubbery that
could conceal criminal activity near doors and windows.
Provide light on areas of dense shrubs and trees that
could serve as hiding places. Cut back tree limbs that
could help thieves climb into windows, and keep yard
fencing low enough too avoid giving criminals places to
hide.
Your home’s walkways and landscaping should direct
visitors to the main entrance and away from private
areas. The landscaping should provide maximum
visibility to and from your house. Trim shrubbery that
could conceal criminal activity near doors and windows.
Provide light on areas of dense shrubs and trees that
could serve as hiding places. Cut back tree limbs that
could help thieves climb into windows, and keep yard
fencing low enough too avoid giving criminals places to
hide.
LOCKS
Strong, reliable locks are essential to effective home security. Always keep doors and windows locked—even a five-minute trip to the
store is long enough for a burglar to enter your home. Use quality keyed knobs as well as deadbolts— deadbolts can withstand the
twisting, turning, prying, and pounding that regular keyed knobs can’t. When choosing a deadbolt, look for such features as a bolt
that extends at least one inch when in the locked position, to resist ramming and kicking; hardened steel inserts to prevent the bolt
from being sawed off, and a reinforced strike plate with extra long mounting screws to anchor the lock effectively.
Most deadbolts are single-cylinder; they operate from the outside with a key and from the inside with a thumb latches. Double-
cylinder deadbolts require a key to open the lock from both outside and inside your home. These locks are especially effective for
doors with glass within 40 inches of the lock—an intruder cannot break the glass and unlock the door by reaching through. Some
jurisdictions do not allow these locks— check with your local law enforcement or building
code authorities before installing a double cylinder deadbolt. As one alternative, security glazing can be applied to glass panels in or
near the door, or shatterproof glass can be installed, though these options can be expensive.
Strong, reliable locks are essential to effective home security. Always keep doors and windows locked—even a five-minute trip to the
store is long enough for a burglar to enter your home. Use quality keyed knobs as well as deadbolts— deadbolts can withstand the
twisting, turning, prying, and pounding that regular keyed knobs can’t. When choosing a deadbolt, look for such features as a bolt
that extends at least one inch when in the locked position, to resist ramming and kicking; hardened steel inserts to prevent the bolt
from being sawed off, and a reinforced strike plate with extra long mounting screws to anchor the lock effectively.
Most deadbolts are single-cylinder; they operate from the outside with a key and from the inside with a thumb latches. Double-
cylinder deadbolts require a key to open the lock from both outside and inside your home. These locks are especially effective for
doors with glass within 40 inches of the lock—an intruder cannot break the glass and unlock the door by reaching through. Some
jurisdictions do not allow these locks— check with your local law enforcement or building
code authorities before installing a double cylinder deadbolt. As one alternative, security glazing can be applied to glass panels in or
near the door, or shatterproof glass can be installed, though these options can be expensive.