The dictionary definition of layering is “the action of arranging something in layers.” When applied to home security, the concept of layering means to put in place more than one deterrent to stop thieves from entering your home and stealing its valuable contents.1 From the outdoor environment to an inside home security system, there are a number of steps homeowners can take to improve the safety of their homes.
Talk to a professional locksmith for a customized approach to your home’s security.
Your Outdoor Environment
Installing strategically placed outdoor lighting is a good theft deterrent. Having automatic timers or motion sensors on outdoor lights makes them efficient and work-free. Landscaping is also important. Keep trees, bushes and other vegetation trimmed so that they don’t block the view of windows and doors from the street and don’t provide a hiding place for assailants.
Many people keep their garage door opener on the visor of a car parked outside of the garage. It is relatively easy for an experienced thief to break into a car, hit the garage door open and enter through the door between the house and the garage, which most people fail to lock.2
Many people also keep the garage door open when they are home. If you are doing yard work or entertaining friends in the backyard and your garage door is open in the front of your home it is an invitation to a thief to access your home while you are distracted.
Your Entry Doors
In addition to lighting your entry doors at night for your family’s safety in coming and going, and as a theft deterrent, the actual entry door should be secure. A steel door or a steel reinforced door is the best for security purposes.3 Wood doors, which many people prefer for their classic look, can also offer good protection but they should be 1-3/4″ solid wood in order to prevent a break-through.4
Fiberglass is also a popular door material, but is less secure than steel or wood as it can crack or break if subjected to a high level of outside pressure.5 You can purchase fiberglass doors with solid wood cores which would be sturdier than all-fiberglass doors.
An entry door is only as good as its parts. American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Grade 1 or Grade 2 deadbolt locks are recommended for the best security.6 A lock with an ANSI grade has been tested and certified that it will “reliably perform as expected.”7 It is also important to secure the door frame and reinforce the door lock area.
If the deadbolt goes into a weak area of the door, the door remains vulnerable to being breached by an intruder. If your deadbolt slides into a hole hollowed out of the wood, it will splinter if a heavy impact is brought to bear on it. You should have a metal strike plate, which is the piece that the bolt goes into.
The optimal strike plate is one with a deep box which will allow the bolt to go further into the doorframe. The length of the screws that attach the strike plate are also important. The longer the screws and the farther they go into the door, the more secure the door and deadbolt will be.
Door hinges are also an important piece of hardware that need attention if you are improving the security of your home. If you have outside hinges a thief can easily remove the pins in the hinges and get in your home. A hinge bolt can be used to prevent this from happening and it can be installed on most outdoor hinges.
Again, the screws that secure the hinges are important. It is recommended that they be at least 2-1/2 inches long.8 The door frame should also be inspected for structural integrity. Soft wood door frames should be replaced with hard wood or metal frames.
Inside Your Home
A total home security system is your best deterrent to burglars. When thieves see security cameras or signage that indicates you have a home security system they will likely select a home with less protection.
There are many aspects to home security systems including motion sensor lighting, audible and silent alerts when doors and windows are breached, automatic alerts to local police or security agencies, open/close sensors monitoring liquor cabinets and gun safes, etc.
There are even apartment security systems that renters can take as they move from apartment to apartment. Discounts on homeowners or renters insurance are often available for those who install security systems.
While many people can take on the challenge of improving their home’s security, a residential locksmith can provide the best expert advice after assessing your particular situation. They can also expertly install both entry door safety upgrades and total home security systems. There are a number of ways, many that are relatively low in cost, to make sure that your home is as safe as it can be, providing you an extra “layer” of protection and peace of mind.
Action Locksmith located in Michigan provides dependable, friendly and efficient locksmith services to homes and businesses in the Southeastern tri-county area. Able to take on any door lock or security issue is part of our dedication to the skill and service we provide.
Let us know how we can help, and we’ll provide a plan of action that caters to the security needs of your home. From re-keying and lock repair to door installation, keyless entry and code upgrades we are the ideal locksmith company to call!
__________________
1 Best Deadbolt Locks to Secure Your Home: 2023 Buyer’s Guide, 1/22/2023
Link: https://www.art-of-lockpicking.com/best-deadbolt-locks/
2 100 Ways to Make Your Home Safer by Brianne Sandorf, 1/2/2022
Link: https://www.reviews.org/home-security/ways-to-make-home-safer/
3,4, 5 The Best Security Doors for Your Home,
Link: https://www.adt.com/resources/best-security-doors
6,8 8 Ways to Secure a Door from Being Kicked In. by Meghan Wentland, 2/16/2023
Link: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-secure-a-door-from-being-kicked-in/
7What Do ANSI Grade Levels Mean? 1/7/2020
Link: https://blog.ansi.org/2020/01/ansi-grade-levels-bhma-locks-hardware-tests/