Make sure all exterior doors are either metal or solid wood to prevent kick-ins.
Install quality locks on all exterior doors. A knob and a deadbolt with a 1” throw are recommended for each door. If there is any glass near the locks, a double-sided deadbolt should be used to prevent glass breakage and unlocking of single-keyed locks.
Always rekey your locks when first moving in and be cautious about who has access to your keys.
The door strikes are where your real security lies. Make sure to replace the screws in door strike plates with two 3-inch screws that reach the studs in the door frame. This will significantly reduce the possibility of a kick-in.
Maintain landscaping around doors and windows. Consider short thorny bushes beneath windows.
Keep outside of home well-lit at night. Consider the use of motion-sensitive lights; burglars prefer darkness. Use timers on interior lights and radios when on vacation.
Make sure all windows have locking latches and use a vertical locking system on all sliding doors to prevent the lifting of doors from the track.
Do not leave a spare key outside of your home in an obvious hiding spot.
Always make sure windows and doors are securely locked before leaving home and at night.
Install a good home security alarm with inside and outside sirens, battery backup, and even a cellular dialer.
