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Health & Fitness

Simple Home Improvements To Help Prevent Break-ins

We all want to feel safe in our homes, but the truth is that break-ins do occur and it's up to homeowners to ensure that their homes don't make an easy target. Here are a few steps that you can take to help improve the security of your home.

 

Replace Old Sliding Doors

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Sliding doors are a frequent target for thieves because they present an easy target that's generally less of a security focal point for homeowners. Older doors can be easily popped out of their frames without even having to break the glass. It is possible to use a sturdy dowel or steel rod placed in the interior door track to help beef up the protection, but it's far from an ideal strategy. Modern sliders are often built with dual-paned glass and much sturdier locks, latches and frames, making them a much less attractive target.

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Beef Up Your Doors and Locks

 

Nearly 35% of all break-ins occur at the front door. It's the first area that robbers are presented with and often the first area tested for weakness. Replacing your old door latch and lock with a more secure model is one of the easiest improvements you can make to help prevent a break-in.

 

Keep in mind, however, that your front entry is only as secure as the door itself. The strongest bolt in the world is no use if thieves are able to breach the door with little effort. Front doors with large windows may also be vulnerable to break-ins, especially if the glass is not double paned. Replacing your front door is another fairly inexpensive but extremely effective deterrent.

 

Check Your Windows For Vulnerabilities

 

Once you've established that your doors are well secured, turn your attention to your windows. Many older windows are simply not designed with security in mind. Week locks, fragile frames and single paned glass are all reasons to consider replacing your windows with more modern designs. And it's not just first floor windows that deserve scrutiny. Thieves are aware that many homeowners don't secure their second story windows as thoroughly as those at ground level and are willing to go through the effort of climbing up if it means an easy entrance to your home.

 

Make sure that all the windows in your home have secure locks and can't be easily jimmied open or pushed in. Week or aging windows should be replaced with modern models which offer the security of dual paned glass and more secure locking mechanisms.

Preventing break-ins is about making your home an unattractive target for thieves.

If you need help securing your home with windows or doors replacement and installation, contact Opal Enterprises Inc. to talk to one of their home improvement experts.

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