Make Your House Intruder-Proof

By making your exterior doors secure, you can discourage an uninvited visitor from breaking in.

A door, especially a side or back door, is the first place burglars try to gain entry. Usually it’s the quickest way to get in, and the large opening makes removing big items easy. So, to protect your home from burglary, start with the door.

Police and security experts recommend dead bolt locks as the number one anti-burglary device. There are two types available: surface-mounted dead bolts and cylinder dead bolts. Cylinder dead bolts are the most commonly used. When properly installed, they provide good resistance to a forced entry.

Single-cylinder dead bolts feature a thumb lock on the inside, but must be unlocked with a key on the outside. With double-cylinder dead bolts, both sides of the lock require a key. If your door has a window or is beside a window, choose the double-cylinder dead bolt so the intruder can’t break the glass and reach the thumb lock inside.

Cylinder dead bolt locks are available in a variety of prices because they range in quality. Look for solid metal, tapered collars and two-piece construction. Expect to pay at least $40 for a good-quality dead bolt.

Put wrap-around knob reinforcers on the door knobs. They reduce the chance of the knob being ripped out or kicked in. You can buy wrap-around reinforcers in knob and dead bolt combinations.

It’s a good idea to install a reinforcing strike plate, too. It works similarly to the knob reinforcer, but it lowers the chance of having your door kicked in or pried open by tearing away the wooden jamb. Use three-inch screws. They’re necessary to penetrate the framing members around the house.

Finally, get the added security of seeing who’s outside before you open the door. For less than $10, you can get a door viewer or peephole.

When you’re finished, you’ll have doors that encourage burglars to try somewhere else.