| There is little as upsetting as coming home to | | | | window double glazed, or treated with a |
| discover your house has been burglarized. Here | | | | burglar-proof glaze that makes them extremely |
| are some tips for homeowners who want to | | | | hard to break. |
| discourage thieves from even considering breaking | | | | If you must leave a window open while you are |
| into their home. | | | | away, consider installing a pin so that it is locked in |
| Let's start with the doors. If you have an | | | | place, and obviously not open enough for anyone |
| ordinary deadbolt lock, consider how easy it would | | | | to climb, or even reach, through. Be aware of |
| be for a burglar to force open your door. They | | | | basement windows, which are often low to the |
| don't need to pick the lock. Enough force will snap | | | | ground and therefore easy to access, yet are in |
| either the door or door frame, making entry all | | | | a part of your home you may overlook. |
| too easy. To prevent this, choose a lock system | | | | If you have dog or cat doors, or old firewood |
| that has a large plate on the door. On the door | | | | boxes, be sure they are either too small for even |
| frame side, ensure that screws extend at least | | | | a child to enter them, or are fastened with a |
| one inch into the wall stud. If there is a gap | | | | padlock. |
| between the frame and the wall stud, insert a | | | | While a fence and lots of shrubbery may make |
| strip of hardwood to strengthen the connection. | | | | your home feel protected, it is just that type of |
| The more metal holding onto the door and door | | | | protection that actually attracts burglars. They |
| frame, the harder it will be to crack. Remember | | | | can break into your home unseen by neighbors or |
| to install sturdy locks on all the doors, not just the | | | | passersby. Consider pruning back shrubbery, |
| main entry. | | | | especially if it blocks the view from the street. |
| To further protect doors, check for exposed | | | | Also, invest in a motion sensor, and hook up |
| hinges. If these could be unscrewed by a burglar, | | | | strategically placed outdoor lights to it. These are |
| see about installing pins or locking screws. If you | | | | great because they are like a spotlight on an |
| have patio doors, have a bar installed to prevent | | | | unsuspecting prowler. |
| the doors from being slipped off their tracks. You | | | | Another way to protect your valuables is to |
| can also install a pin on the bottom track to hold | | | | clearly mark them with an identification number. |
| these doors in place. | | | | Your drivers license will do. Make sure the number |
| If doors have windows on them, a burglar can | | | | is written in indelible ink, or scratched into the |
| easily break the glass and then reach in to open | | | | surface, and in a highly visible location. After all, |
| the lock from the inside. An acquaintance recently | | | | those numbers on the front won't affect how |
| had the horrific experience of coming home to | | | | well your stereo plays, but it sure will make its |
| discover a burglary exacerbated by the mess of | | | | resale value go down. To discourage thieves, |
| the thief's blood all over her home. It was of little | | | | place signs at some of the main entryways |
| conciliation that this blood trail is also what | | | | outside your home, stating that valuables are so |
| ultimately caught the thief. She could have been | | | | marked. |
| spared the grief and mess had she had the door's | | | | |