How to Properly Secure Your Doors

While installing a home security system in your home is one of the best ways to protect your home and family against a burglary, you should still take basic precautions to make sure you are not providing criminals with an easy opportunity to gain access to your house. The first part of your house that you should carefully examine for any vulnerability is your doors. This advice is applicable no matter if you live in a house or an apartment because your doors are usually the entry point for burglars.

1. All entry doors should be made out of metal or solid wood and should fit tightly up against the frame.
2. All doors should be equipped with a heavy duty deadbolt lock with a minimum one-inch throw. It is best that you chose a brand-name lock because you can evaluate the quality of the products before you buy by researching it online.
3. A heavy duty strike plate secured to the frame with 3-inch screws should be installed on all entry door frames. Since this is the section of the door that keeps the lock in place, you need to purchase the strongest plate available. It is also recommended that you have it installed by a professional locksmith.
4. All entry doors should be equipped with a wide-angle 180 degree peephole.
5. Sliding glass doors should be equipped with a charley bar, which latches into the track and prevents that door from sliding open. Alte
atively, you can place a strong dowel rod or metal stick into the track to accomplish the same thing.
6. Again, all doors, including those on the side of the house, the back of the house or the garage should be secured following the above steps.

If you have any questions about the quality of equipment you currently have on your doors, it is best to contact a professional home security system company and request a representative come out to your house and inspect it. They will be able to tell you exactly what you need to do to ensure your doors are as secure as possible. If you do not currently have a home security system installed in your home, this would also be a good time to get a quote from the company and find out what other steps you can take to make your home safer. Your doors are a great place to start, but you should always do the most you can do to protect against property crimes.