{"id":23524,"date":"2019-09-20T12:54:12","date_gmt":"2019-09-20T18:24:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/youthfulhome.com\/?p=23524"},"modified":"2021-12-16T11:31:18","modified_gmt":"2021-12-16T17:01:18","slug":"residential-security-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/youthfulhome.com\/blog\/residential-security-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Valuable Tips to Protect Your Home from Intrusion"},"content":{"rendered":"
\ufeff<\/span>Discovering that you\u2019ve been the victim of a break in is a traumatic event. And it\u2019s not just the theft of your valuables. The thought that someone has violated your private space can also steal your peace of mind for a long time. Such an event\u2014whether real or imagined\u2014calls for added security, which can be expensive. Additionally, an investment you make to secure your home can also increase its market value.<\/span><\/p>\n A lone knob or lever on an exterior door is not much of a challenge for a thief. With the proper tools, the spring bolt can easily be retracted from the strike plate. Or the knob\/lever can be broken from the door with a couple of hammer blows.<\/span><\/p>\n If you have a solid wooden door, especially with a metal or fiberglas\ufeff<\/span>s skin, consider replacing the existing cylinder lockset with a mortise lockset\u2014which has an integrated deadbolt. The deadbolt in a mortise lockset cannot be retracted from the strike plate without disassembly of the lock.<\/span><\/p>\n A mortise lockset is not the best upgrade for a weak wooden door because the pocket for the mortise lock can weaken the door itself. If you have such door it\u2019s best to upgrade it to a thicker, heavier and more reliable one. Or at least install a cylinder deadbolt. The cylindrical deadbolt is not as secure as a mortise lockset, but it requires less material removal from the door and is easier to install.<\/span><\/p>\n As an additional measure, add another deadlock or a rim latch to reinforce the door and increase the time a burglar needs for picking or breaking all locks.<\/span><\/p>\n Whatever you do to upgrade the security of your exterior doors, don\u2019t forget the screws! Make sure that every screw used to mount door frame hardware is long enough to extend through the door frame into the rough opening. To ensure the lock reliably protects your home after proper installation, it’s best to find a service of a professional certified local locksmith<\/a> to entrust the task to.<\/span><\/p>\n If you want to learn more about residential lock types, here is an in-depth guide provided by Skilled Locksmith<\/a>, a leading locksmith company in Texas.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A thief will break into your house the quickest and easiest way possible. Thieves don\u2019t like to break glass, so they will try to get in through a door as their first choice. But if the door appears impenetrable, the thief will choose a window. Make sure your windows are as secure as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n If you have casement or awning windows in your home, you do not need window locks. It is easier for a thief to break the glass than to get past the mechanism that opens and closes casement\/awning style windows. But double-hung windows need locks because it\u2019s relatively easy to pry up the bottom sash. <\/span><\/p>\n Window locks are not attractive. And if you don\u2019t have window coverings you may find the look of window locks offensive.<\/span><\/p>\n What will a thief see if he looks through your window? Will he see a pile of laundry on the bed or an iPad and laptop on the dresser? Keep a thief guessing about whether it\u2019s worth breaking into your house. Store valuables out of sight when possible or cover your windows with blinds or curtains. And remember to close those blinds or curtains when you are not home.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve ever had a holly bush come between you and a window, you know how annoying it is to try to clean the glass without getting pricked. A thief will have the same experience trying to get into your house through that window. If you can make it work with your landscape vision, plant thorny bushes under any windows vulnerable to break in.<\/span><\/p>\n As long as a thief is wearing something to protect their skin, single strength glass is easy to break with an elbow. If your windows are in good shape otherwise, consider replacing single strength glass with a plastic alternative\u2014such as polycarbonate, acrylic, or Plexiglas. Keep in mind that plastic sash will scratch easily. So if you want a clearer look, install reinforced or laminated glass. <\/span><\/p>\n Consider installing new windows that have tempered insulated glass. Besides lowering your risk of a break in you will also lower your utility bills.<\/span><\/p>\n The ultimate protection for your windows is to install iron window guards. A thief can still break the window, but they can\u2019t crawl through the bars. And no thief will take the time to saw through the metal bars. If it doesn\u2019t bother you to see bars when you look out your windows, check out the decorative window guards that can be customized to suit your home\u2019s design.<\/span><\/p>\n Walk down a busy street in an urban area after the shops are closed and you will see aluminum security roller shutters on almost every store front. Many companies manufacture this type of shutter for residential use. And if you live in a hurricane zone, a security roller shutter can also double as a hurricane shutter. <\/span><\/p>\n While offering as good or better protection against a break in as iron window guards, roller shutters tell would-be thieves you are not home. But if your doors are adequately protected, thieves will move on to an easier opportunity.<\/span><\/p>\n Most security systems have glass breakage sound sensors included or available as an option. These alarms are not mounted on the windows, and therefore offer the least intrusive design. If someone tries to break a window, a monitored security system will automatically alert an emergency response. <\/span><\/p>\n But you can also install individual window alarms that will activate when the window is opened or broken. Individual window alarms can also alert you of a problem by phone if you are away from home.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Security systems are wired, wireless, or a combination of the two. Because a wired system is more reliable and maintenance free, new construction should always be pre-wired for a security system. Installing wiring in an existing home is possible, but expensive. A wireless system costs less and will still protect your home. <\/span><\/p>\n The money you spend on an alarm system may or may not increase your home\u2019s value. But it will definitely save you money on your \ufeff<\/span>property insurance\u2014especially if your security system is monitored.<\/span><\/p>\n Home security systems come in a variety of types and with different features. When doing your research, you will have to find answers to multiple frequent questions<\/a> about them. But to give you general understanding quickly, here is a concise rundown of the main types and features of home security systems<\/p>\n#1 Secure Your Exterior Doors<\/b><\/h2>\n
#2 Secure Windows<\/b><\/h2>\n
Window Locks<\/b><\/h3>\n
Blinds and Curtains<\/b><\/h3>\n
Plant Thorny Bushes<\/b><\/h3>\n
Replace Glass with a Stronger Material<\/b><\/h3>\n
Install Iron Window Guards<\/b><\/h3>\n
Security Metal Roller Shutters<\/b><\/h3>\n
Window Alarms<\/b><\/h3>\n
#3 Install a Security System<\/b><\/h2>\n
Self-Monitored vs Monitoring Service <\/b><\/h3>\n