Even though Elkmont is blessed with the watchful eye of Police Chief Donnie, we can make his job easier by making our homes more secure. One of a burglar’s main goals when he breaks into a house is getting in and out of the residence as quickly as possible in order to minimize the chances of detection. A front or back door will almost always be his first choice, and if he discovers that those entry points are secure, he’s more likely to select another house than he is to try to break in through a window. Here are some tips to make the door a less easy way to get in.
Here are Five Secrets to Fortify Your Front Door Like Ft. Knox:
- Get the right doors. Hollow doors are easy to kick in, but solid wood, fiberglass and metal doors are not. Doors should not have windows on or next to them. Sliding glass doors should be covered on the outside by a security grate or grille, or secured on the inside by an unbreakable polycarbonate panel.
- Lock your doors. Install high-quality (Grade 1 or 2) deadbolt locks in addition to the doorknob lock. Bolts should be at least one inch long. A deadlock will serve as an additional lock for when you’re home. For your sliding door, place a thick, wooden dowel in the bottom track to keep it from being opened.
- Reinforce your entryway. This involves installing cylinder guards around the lock cylinders, replacing flimsy strike plates, securing exposed hinges and fortifying your door frame.
- Install viewers (also known as peep holes). Make sure you acquire the kind that provides a wide-angle view and then place it at eye level on all exterior doors.
- Add a storm door. A storm door that locks will give you an extra level of protection, not to mention keeping hot air out in the summer and cold air out in the winter.
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