Exterior Doors
Many residential doors feature hollow core construction and poor locks. They are easily forced or kicked open. If you desire additional protection, you need solid doors and quality locks.
Arcadia Doors
Many burglars enter homes through poorly protected arcadia doors. Additional locks and security measures here will prevent the door from being opened or lifted out of the track. Screws installed in the track above the sliding door frame will prevent the door from being lifted out of the track. Drill a pilot hole in the top track above, and slightly in, from each corner of the sliding door frame section and install a screw into each hole. Adjust the screws so that the head of the screw just barely clears the frame when it is moved back and forth.
Double Doors
These doors need solid security as they are easily jimmied or forced open. Flush lever bolts installed at the top and bottom of the doors are recommended. Make sure the bolt is long, sturdy and mounted into a solid door frame.
Doors with Windows
Doors with glass windows or glass ornamentation require double key deadbolt locks. This prevents the burglar from breaking the glass and reaching inside to unlock the door.
The key to a double key deadbolt lock should be left in the lock at all times when someone is home (this is necessary to ensure easy exit in the event of a fire or other emergency).
Garage Doors
Standard locks on garage doors are easily pried, allowing a burglar access to your home without detection. Cane bolts and hasps are excellent protection. Make certain each side of the garage door is secured to prevent prying open a crawl space. The door leading from the garage into the house should be securely locked. The more barriers you provide against the burglar, the better protected you are.
Hinges
Many homes have doors which open to the outside, exposing the hinge pins. Despite your good strong lock, the burglar can remove the pins and lift the door from the frame. To prevent this, remove two opposing screws from each leaf of the hinge. Screw a long lag bolt into the frame side of the hinge leaf and saw off the head leaving about ½ inch protruding. Drill out the opposite hole to allow the bolt to enter when the door is closed. Do this to the top and bottom hinge plates. The hinge pins can now be removed by the burglar but the door will remain firmly in place. This technique is good for any door, no matter how the hinges have been placed.
Another approach to securing exterior door is to purchase NRP (non-removable pin) hinges. These hinges have an allan-screw going into the pin that cannot be removed unless the door is open. This saves having to cut off the head of the lag bolt and you are not eliminating any of the hinge anchoring screws. Any exterior door should have three hinges, so only the middle hinge needs to be a NRP hinge.
Door Viewers
In order to avoid opening your door without knowing who is there, install a door viewer. This device has a wide angle lens to let you see someone standing outside your door without opening it.
Spring Latch
Some homes come equipped with this lock. It offers very little protection. The bolt can be slipped with a credit card or knife. This same lock, with a deadbolt latch, provides more protection, but it too can be forced open.
Deadbolt Locks
A deadbolt lock can provide good protection. When you turn the key, the lock mechanism slides a strong metal bolt from the door into the frame. When you buy a deadbolt lock, make sure: The bolt extends at least one inch from the edge of the door. The connecting screws that hold the lock together are on the inside of the door. The strike plate is attached to the door frame with screws that measure at least three inches in length. The cylinder has a steel guard around the key section. The cylinder guard should be tapered or rotate freely around the key section to prevent wrenching if it is twisted.
Single Cylinder Deadbolt
A solid bolt, activated by a key from the outside or a knob on the inside, slides into the door frame. The lock cannot be slipped or easily pried. Deadbolt locks are only as good as the door and frame they are installed in.
Double Cylinder Deadbolt
This lock is basically the same as the single cylinder deadbolt, except that it requires a key to be used from either side to function.
Rim Lock
This lock has either horizontal or vertical deadbolts. It cannot be easily slipped, pried or forced with a wrench. This lock, like all others, requires a strong mounting surface and hardware to be effective.
Padlocks
When selecting padlocks to secure your garage door, storage shed, fence gate or tool box, do not economize. Low priced locks are made from low quality materials and easily pried open or cut with bolt cutters. Look for these features when purchasing a padlock: Double locking shackle at the toe and heel Hardened steel shackle, the larger the diameter the better Five pin tumbler Key retaining feature (prevents removal of the key when unlocked) A strong steel hasp should be used with the padlock.
Sliding Windows
Sliding glass windows should be given the same security treatment as arcadia doors. Use the same supplementary locks or screws in the frame. Screws installed in the track above the sliding window frame will prevent the window from being lifted out of the track. Drill a pilot hole in the top track above each corner of the window frame and install a screw into each hole. Adjust the screws so that the head of the screw just barely clears the frame when it is moved back and forth.
Casement Crank Windows
These windows are easily secured. The latch should close properly with the window tight. With the latch in a closed position, drill a small hole through the latch frame and handle. Insert a metal pin through the hole to lock the window. For additional security, a small padlock can be used in place of the pin. Key operated replacement latches are also available from a locksmith or hardware store. Keep the key handy in case of emergency.
Double Hung Windows
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 the pin (a nail or an eyebolt which is slightly smaller in diameter than the hole). The window can't be opened until you remove the pin. Make a second set of holes with windows partially open so you can have ventilation without inviting intruders. You may also purchase special key locks for windows at a hardware store.
Residents should be aware of the need to obtain a permit for operating an alarm system within Harris County. Obtaining the required permit will avoid the issuance of a citation and excessive fees for false alarms.
Details of the program were descibed in Kimberly Pina's column of the August 4, 2010 edition of the Katy section of the Houston Chronicle and are reproduced below:
"Protecting your home and property is a wise decision, most definitely, but it's even wiser to make sure you obtain a permit for your home alarm system before installing if you live in Harris County.
The Harris County Sheriff's Office is reminding homeowners that a permit is needed to install an alarm system that calls for any emergency service in the case of an incident and that fees are required annually to maintain your system. The permit cost prior to installation is $35 and the annual renewal fee is $10.
Typically, the initial permit application is taken care of by the alarm company but not always. They most often charge you for the permit but be sure that you are registered in Harris County and not the city of Houston - you are outside Houston city limits if you are part of a municipal utility district in the Katy area.
However, anyone 65 years and older is exempt from paying application and renewal fees, although citations can be issued for excessive alarm calls no matter the age of the homeowner. You will be notified annually when it's time to renew your permit.
