Residential Security

To help make your home more secure and reduce the chances of being a victim of a home burglary, here are some things you can do to help deter thieves:

• Take a look at exterior doors.  Make sure that they all have a good deadbolt lock which has at least a 1-1/2 inch throw.  A lock-in-handle system is not adequate and can be easily defeated.  Make sure that all locks are in good working order.  Take out one of the two screws which secure the strike plate to the door facing.  Most will be ¼ inch screws and should be replaced with 3 inch screws which will go through the soft wood of the door facing and into the stud.  This will make it much more difficult to force the door and attempting to do so will create more noise which will deter the burglar.
  
• Many older homes have windows which slide up and down and have only a thumb slide lock above the lower window.  You want to make sure that these windows are fixed so that they can only be opened about 10 inches or so.  This can be accomplished by measuring about 10 inches up the sides above the closed window and putting a wood screw on both sides, leaving them sticking out far enough that when the window is raised, it will hit the screws and not go up any higher.
  
• Sliding patio doors are usually secured by placing a stick in the track which does not allow it to slide open.  This will not keep the door from being forced straight up which will allow it to swing free from the bottom track.  The door should have a hole drilled through the top track and into the door.  A pin can be placed in the hole, which will not allow the door to be moved back and forth or up into the track.  Sliding windows should be secured in the same fashion.
  
• Make sure that there is good outdoor lighting and that it is in good working order.
  
• Take away every possible opportunity by not leaving out things such as bikes, lawn mowers, etc.
  
• Make sure that you keep the garage door closed.
  
• If you do not keep your vehicle in the garage, remove the garage door opener from your vehicle, it is a key to your home.

If you would like a free security survey of your home, contact the Detective Bureau at 636-639-2128.