Top 5 Ways to Secure Your Residential Homes Front Door

While there are many different reasons one may want to increase the security of their home, the front door is an important access point that shouldn’t be overlooked from a security standpoint. In this article, we will be going over some of our top picks for ways to secure your residential home from potential intruders and burglars.

It’s worth noting that no matter the level of security one might install; if someone has enough motivation and time to get inside, they probably will. Like the old saying goes “locks only keep honest people out”. These tips are to not only help secure a front home door for a longer period of time against someone on foot but they are also intended to provide deterrents to potential home intruders such as burglars.

It is also worth noting that currently in the United States, in 2020 alone, 60.5% of all crimes could be categorized as “crime against property” — FBI 2020 Incident Data

In 2010 there were 1,939,324 burglary offenses, while last year in 2020 there were only 903,627 — Crime Data Explorer.

This shows a steep decline in burglary offenses, which we believe is most likely attributed to an increase in security cameras, alarm systems, and other preventative measures.

Larceny-theft accounted for 73.4 percent of all property crimes in 2019. Burglary accounted for 16.1 percent, and motor vehicle theft for 10.4 percent. Property crimes in 2019 resulted in losses estimated at $15.8 billion — FBI

1. Use A High Quality & Secure Deadbolt

Using a good deadbolt lock is important for a majority of reasons, but it essentially boils down to “you get what you pay for”. A cheap $10 deadbolt lock is very easy to pick or drill into in most cases when compared to a high-security lock. Some of the most secure locks, in our opinion, are locks from Mul-T-Lock. High-quality deadbolts are generally built better, and from better materials, so they can withstand more abuse, and for longer, against forced entry attempts.

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It’s important to note that better locks do provide better security, but also at an elevated price compared to traditional locking deadbolts. When it comes to the security of your home, or your front door in particular, a good deadbolt is arguably one of the most important things that someone could do to improve their security.

2. Use Additional Locks & Latches (One-Sided Deadbolts)

Many homeowners may find that they only have one lock on their front door, and we think that’s not very safe. We are of the belief that every home door leading from the inside to the out be fitted with 3 different locks. This includes a secure deadbolt lock, a locking doorknob or lever, and a single-sided deadbolt. A single-sided deadbolt is a lock that can be flipped to locked or unlocked from inside the home but has no keyhole on the outside. Single-sided deadbolts are useful when someone is inside the home and wants to make sure no one else can get inside, such as during the nighttime. With a single-sided deadbolt installed, a burglar could unlock both the deadbolt and the doorknob, but still be unable to gain entry due to the inaccessible (to them) single-sided deadbolt. The only way to get into a single-sided deadbolt is through forced entry, which generally involves lots of noise like drilling or prying.

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Besides installing a single-sided deadbolt, we also recommend making sure that your doorknob or lever lock works properly and latches correctly in the door frame. It is true that doorknobs and lever locks are generally less secure than their deadbolt counterparts due to the way the latch is shaped and operates, but they can still add an additional layer of security for a home intruder to get through.

3. Use A Security Bar (Door Brace)

A security bar is a device that is propped up against the door and acts as a last-ditch backup to prevent entry. Security bars, at this point in time, are not yet wireless, so homeowners are only able to use them when they are home. Security bars are great, however, at preventing a door from being opened, even if the door is completely unlocked. In addition to security bars, there are many different types of latches that can be installed on the inside of the door, such as security latches that one might find in a hotel room.

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Security bars are relatively inexpensive and they can really make a difference. In the event that a home intruder is able to pick open your home locks quietly, they would be unable to open the door due to the security bar. Trying to force open a door with a security bar would result in noise, giving the homeowner enough time to flee, call for help, or provide them with enough time to stand their ground.

4. Add Deterrents (Alarms, Video Doorbells, Security Cameras, Dogs, Motion Floodlights, etc)

Besides just reinforcing the door itself, there are also many different ways to prevent burglars from seeing your home as a target in the first place. Adding deterrents is just as important as the actual security of your home itself.

By subcategory, 55.7 percent of burglaries involved forcible entry, 37.8 percent were unlawful entries, and 6.5 percent were attempted forcible entry (...) Burglaries of residential properties accounted for 62.8 percent of all burglary offenses — FBI

One of the best ways to deter forced entry attempts is to make your home seem like more trouble than it’s worth. This is why it’s important to add things like motion detecting floodlights, video doorbells, and other types of security systems.

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Homes without security systems are up to 300% more likely to be broken into. — Reolink

According to interviewed burglars, some of the best ways to deter them is with a large breed of dog, or if they think you’re home. Most burglars will attempt to knock first to check if someone is home, and most will have backup stories in case someone is home (looking for my dog, sorry wrong house, etc).

KTVB asked 86 different burglars about what their biggest deterrents were and what didn’t bother them, the article can be found here.

5. Get A Strong Door & Reinforced Frame

It’s important not to neglect the strength of the actual door itself as well as the frame that the latches go into. Even if a door is fully equipped with some of the best locks on the market, the security of the entryway is only as strong as the weakest component. This means that strong locks won’t help much if the door itself is flimsy or insecure. From a security standpoint, it’s much better to have a thick wooden door, or even a metal door, versus a cheaper variant that’s filled with foam. Additionally, since the bolt latch will be going into the door frame, it’s important to ensure that the frame is reinforced properly, as to not give way in the event of a forced entry attempt.

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Besides replacing the door itself with a strong one, another helpful tip is to use larger screws to secure the latches to the door as well as to secure the metal pieces that the bolts rest inside of, on the frame itself. When attempting to kick open a locked door, all the pressure will transfer to the latches in the frame, therefore, it’s important to have latches and the frame reinforced. Besides using larger screws, or getting a stronger door, it’s possible to reinforce the frame itself with an additional piece of wood or metal.

Best Ways To Secure Your Home’s Front Door

To summarize some of the best ways to secure your home’s front door, we suggest adding deterrents to keep criminals away, using strong locks, backup locks, and a reinforced door frame with a strong door. Deterrents are excellent at keeping criminals away in the first place, especially if they see your home as too much of a challenge. In addition to keeping criminals away, having strong security measures for your front door is ideal for not only keeping you safe, but also your property. Having security cameras is also good because it can record break-ins, or break-in attempts, which can be important for insurance claims and also when filing a police report.

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About Us:

Locksmith Services Longmont is a local mobile locksmith company based out of Longmont, Colorado. We have been helping homeowners and businesses for years in the Northern Colorado area when it comes to securing their property and possessions. Our mobile locksmiths are available 24/7 to assist with lockouts, lock rekeying, lock replacements, lock installations, and much more.

Our mobile locksmiths have a quick arrival time, usually within 30-minutes or less from the time we receive a call for assistance.

All of our technicians are background checked and have years of experience working in the locksmith industry, along with the latest and greatest tools. If you are ever in the Northern Colorado area and require a fast and affordable locksmith service, we hope you’ll consider Locksmith Services Longmont.

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Top 5 Ways To Secure Sliding Glass Doors from Burglars

Top 5 Ways to Secure Sliding Glass Door From Burglars

Nowadays it can be said that most modern residential homes have a sliding glass door that provides either access to a patio, a backyard, or a side area. many consider sliding glass doors to be a weak point when it comes to forced entry from a burglar or home invader however in this guide we will be going over some of our top five ways to secure sliding glass doors. It's important not to neglect the security of a sliding glass door as home security is only as good as its weakest link, which in some cases, is certainly a sliding glass door.

Our top five ways to secure sliding glass doors from burglars include: applying a shatterproof film to the glass. Adding blocking bars into the track of the glass door. Adding window locks in addition to locking bars to help mitigate the door from being opened. Surrounding the door with an alarm system that is visible to a potential intruder. And finally, ensuring that the sliding glass door itself has a strong lock with a latch that is powerful enough to withstand someone pulling on it.

It's important to always keep a sliding glass door properly maintained and to regularly do checks to make sure they are working correctly. 

1. Shatterproof Film

When it comes to our customers asking us how they can improve the security of their sliding glass door from break in attacks, our go-to answer is generally applying a shatterproof film to the glass and a blocking bar if necessary. Applying shatterproof film is generally a cost-effective solution that can be either transparent or tinted to help with the Sun, and it will ensure that the glass is harder to break. applying a shatterproof film to a sliding glass door might be a good idea if living in an area with frequent hurricanes as it could also help with that. 

Besides using shatterproof film, many companies also sell impact-resistant sliding glass doors which can achieve the same result. Some companies sell hurricane proof sliding glass doors that can withstand bricks and other hard objects being hurled at them at very fast speeds. Shatterproof film is generally regarded as the more cost-effective solution out of the two. 

2. Blocking Bars

Blocking bars are generally placed in the tracks of a sliding glass door to prohibit the glass door from opening, as the blocking bar will not allow the door to be opened. Blocking bars are generally just straight pieces of metal or wood. Many companies will sell blocking bars online, however, we generally suggest that customers go to a dollar store for a cheap wooden broom and cut the handle to fit the perfect size of their sliding glass door. This may be the most cost-effective solution but metal will always be stronger than wood against a brute force attack. 

3. Window Locks or Security Pins

Window locks are sometimes able to be used on sliding glass doors and they can add extra layers of security. Window locks and other sliding patio door locks can be screwed onto the frame or track to prohibit the door from opening, similar to a blocking bar. Security pins can be added also. With a security pin, a homeowner will drill a hole through the bottom right interior corner of the sliding door and partially into the frame, big enough for a metal pin to fit into. A security pin is a hardened steel pin that can be placed into the hole and will hold the two doors together.

4. Alarm System & Glass Break Detector

 A good way to secure sliding glass doors from a break-in attempt will be to surround the outside of the door with alarm system notifications. It has been proven that burglars are less likely to invade a residence if there is a presence of an alarm system. In addition to an alarm system for the sliding glass door, it's also highly recommended to add a glass break detector on the glass. This is generally a simple and cost-effective solution that, when done correctly, will trigger a loud alarm as soon as the sliding glass door’s glass is broken.

Nowadays it's very possible to get do-it-yourself alarm kits which are pretty affordable. While an alarm system might not do anything to physically secure the door, it has been indicated by the F. B. I. that burglars are 2.7 times more likely to target homes without alarm systems. Many products are on the market that don't have subscription fees or installation costs besides purchasing of the original unit itself. An alarm system works well with a motion-triggered floodlight covering the outside of the sliding glass door. Many alarm systems today can be synced with the homeowners smartphone, allowing instant messages and alerts. Read about 8 more surprising home burglary facts on Safewise.

5. Strong Locks

It's important not to neglect the locks themselves that are placed on the sliding glass doors and ensure that the latches are secure and strong enough to withstand a forced entry attempt such as a criminal with a crowbar. Sliding glass doors are often considered so vulnerable because of how simple it would be to throw a brick through a window or to force the door open. There are many different types of sliding glass door locks that can be found online and at common home department stores, and it may be a good investment if the security of a sliding door is in question.

Summary 

We feel that it is also important to mention that protecting the perimeter of the sliding glass door is also important, as well as protecting the actual glass door itself. This means that a sliding glass door that is facing a public alley is more likely to get burglarized than a sliding glass door which is fully equipped with all of the options above, and securely located in a backyard which has strong surrounding walls and extra security attributes such as a guard dog. 

It may also be a good idea to consider keeping blinds closed and/or curtains covering sliding glass doors when necessary, like around night time. Maybe consider placing a motion sensor outside on the porch or around the sliding glass door, additionally, motion-detecting floodlights are good preventives for scaring off Intruders. Those who are on a budget might consider installing dummy security cameras around the sliding glass door as it can also help scare off potential intruders.

Additional Resources:

• https://www.cpss.net/about/blog/2016/10/4-tips-to-protect-sliding-doors-from-burglars/

• https://securitynerd.com/securing-sliding-glass-doors/

• https://www.reviews.org/home-security/protect-sliding-door/

• https://www.gvlock.com/blog/6-ways-protect-secure-sliding-glass-door/

• https://securityamp.com/sliding-glass-door-security/

• https://www.bobvila.com/articles/sliding-door-security/

• https://www.angieslist.com/articles/5-tips-make-your-sliding-door-more-secure.htm

About Us: Locksmith Services Longmont is a locksmith company that is local to the Northern Colorado area. We provide lock and key solutions to a wide area around Longmont CO, and we can assist with automotive locksmith services, residential locksmith services, commercial locksmith services, and much more. We have technicians that are available to assist anytime 24/7, they’re expertly equipped, professionally trained, and highly skilled at what they do. Contact us to learn more about how we can assist with things such as lockout services, lock rekeying, lock installations, lock replacements, and more.

8 Things To Try When Locked Out Of Your Home

Getting locked out of your home is never fun, especially for those who are on a tight schedule. As a locksmith company, we urge those who are locked out against breaking a home window in an attempt to regain entry. Window repair services can be costly, more so than simply hiring a locksmith service in the first place, if no other options are available. While being locked out of your home can be stressful, it’s a situation that can thankfully be fixed. Here we are going to go over 8 different things that homeowners can try themselves before calling on the services of a locksmith. These recommendations are great for those who have the keys locked inside accidentally.

Here are our 8 recommendations for regaining entry when locked out of your home:

1. Try Other Doors

   While some homeowners might only have one entry door, others are encouraged to try all their entry doors when locked out. This includes not only trying the door that the homeowner left out of, but also back doors, side doors, garage doors, and any other doors or sliding glass doors.

   Most individuals will ensure that all their doors are locked tightly before leaving, however, this step can sometimes be a good start while thinking about what future steps to take. It’s not common, but occasionally a homeowner that’s become locked out will be able to regain entry through a different door that wasn’t locked.

2. Dog Door

   For homeowners with doggy-doors, it could be a good idea to attempt regaining entry this way. While adult homeowners might not be able to easily crawl through a doggy-door without getting stuck, children can easily crawl through and unlock the door from the inside. This method only works when the doggy-door isn’t blocked by anything.

3. Try Windows

   A window that was left unlocked or open might be a good way to regain entry for those who are locked out of their home. It’s fairly simple to lift the windows mesh screen off if one is present, however, mesh screens do vary and some are harder to remove than others.

   Homeowners that find an unlocked window might be able to crawl through and get back inside their home. Typically all windows will be locked though, but this is still a good step to try.

4. Check Upstairs With A Ladder If Possible

   This step is good for those who have easy access to a spare ladder that’s lying around. In the event of experiencing a home lockout situation, trying second-floor windows and balcony and/or patio doors might be a wise idea. When homeowners are going out for a few hours, perhaps to simply run errands, they might neglect to lock their upstairs doors and/or windows because they expect to be home soon. If this is the case, consider trying upstairs windows and/or doors through the use of a ladder.

5. Look For Hidden Keys

   Homeowners who have hidden keys for a lockout situation might be in the perfect moment to take advantage of that fact. Many times individuals will hide spare keys in fake rocks, under door-mats, in potted plants, hanging lights, and in other locations; to prevent getting locked out.

6. Call For A Spare Key

   It’s common for some to allow good neighbors who are highly trusted to have a key copy for emergencies. If not a neighbor, perhaps a family member, relationship partner, cleaner, babysitter, etc… might have a spare key that can be used. If someone else has the working keys, it might be possible to use them to regain entry.

   This is a good method for those who aren’t in a rush to regain entry. If a spare key is in another state or hundreds of miles away, this option might not be the best, as a locksmith service could be cheaper when compared to gas prices, travel costs, and hotel fees. If a spare key is close, consider picking it up, but we recommend calling a locksmith service before booking a hotel.

7. Check Youtube & Try Yourself

   This isn’t the best method for most as it can take up a lot of time and the results might not be very precise. Improper methods of regaining entry can cause damage to both the door and the lock itself. While we recommend against attempting to regain entry without the correct tools and skills, it is something that can be considered by those who aren’t too worried about causing potential damage to their locks and/or door.

8. Call For A Locksmith Service

   If nothing has worked and all methods of regaining entry seem exhausted, then consider calling on the services of a local locksmith near you. A simple Google search for a locksmith near me will reveal all the local locksmiths in your area who can assist with home lockout services. A professional locksmith will offer upfront pricing and have prompt response times of less than an hour. Calling on a professional locksmith is typically the best for homeowners who are locked out of their home locks and have no other recourse for gaining entry.

Summary

When locked out of your home, there are a few things that can be tried before calling on the assistance of professional locksmiths. Consider checking doors that might have been left unlocked, double-checking windows & upstairs entryways if possible, and/or try to find a hidden or spare key that could be used. If nothing works, consider calling on the services of a professional locksmith in your area.

About Locksmith Services Longmont

Locksmith Services Longmont provides 24-hour locksmith services in northern Colorado for individuals and businesses who require expert lock and key solutions. We provide locksmiths in Longmont, CO, and the surrounding communities who can arrive in 30 minutes or less no matter the time of day or night. All of our locksmith technicians are highly skilled professionals who have years of experience, highly trained, fully equipped, and background checked. Locksmith Services Longmont should be your first choice for expert locksmith services in northern Colorado. Locksmith Services Longmont provides professional Longmont CO locksmiths in the surrounding cities of Longmont, such as Greeley, Fort Collins, Denver, Loveland, Estes Park, Boulder, and more.

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Top 10 Ways To Secure Your Home Windows

There are many different ways to keep residential home windows secure from criminals. Don't let yourself fall victim to the various common mistakes that homeowners might run into. According to the FBI, burglaries of residential properties account for 71.6 percent of all burglary offenses. Windows are a common point of entry for a criminal and they tend to be left unlocked or open at much higher rates than doors - particularly in warmer weather. Check out our top 10 list for ways that a homeowner can secure their home windows against unauthorized entry from burglars and other home invaders.

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10.Use plants and bushes outside residential windows

A great way to enhance both the security of a home, and the beauty of it, is by surrounding the ground floor windows with various plants and bushes. While not hindering the homeowners ability to get fresh air and see out the window, plants can be both beautiful and helpful in regards to keeping ones home safe. By planting thorny, sharp, and prickly flowers or bushes such as cacti around the outside of the home, it can drastically reduce the homes appeal to a burglar or home invader. Not only can nature help keep your home safer, but it will also look great and could potentially increase the home's value.

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9. Install motion sensor lights outside ground floor windows

Another good method for securing your ground floor windows from intruders is to keep them well lit and covered by motion sensor lights. Motion sensor lights work by activating when they detect movement. These are great types of lights to add around your windows if you are trying to scare off burglars and other criminals.

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8. Keep all doors and windows locked

The BJS reported that about 40% of the time criminals gain unlawful entry into an unoccupied residence, it's through an unlocked door or window. Remember to always keep your windows and doors locked when you aren't home. The most likely time for a burglary to happen is when no one is home during the summer.

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7. Get security warning stickers and signs

Another great way to scare criminals away is by placing security warning stickers on your windows. Even if you don't have an alarm system, security stickers will tell intruders that you do, making them think twice about their actions. According to a study by UNC Charlotte, approximately 83 percent of burglars would try to determine if an alarm was present before attempting a burglary and 60 percent said they would seek an alternative target if there was an alarm on-site.

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6. Add extra locks to all sliding windows

In a lot of cases, windows are secured by latches instead of locks, meaning they can be more easily compromised. Add additional security hardware to further secure your windows and prevent unauthorized access. A lot of windows are easily forced open as they are only held closed by a plastic tab that can be broken. Keep your windows locked tight with interior metal window locks. These block the tracks that the windows slide in so that the window can't be moved.

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5. Keep all windows barred shut

In addition to keeping your windows locked you could invest in some security bars to keep your windows barred shut. Security bars are an important tool for keeping your most vulnerable windows secure such as those that face busy streets, dark alleys, parking lots, and trails. Show criminals that you're prepared for them with a visible security bar and make them reconsider selecting your home as an easy target. Prime-Line Products offers steel window bars through suppliers such as Amazon.

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4. Keep window blinds and curtains closed

Keep your windows covered so criminals can't see inside your home. Don't let potential burglars or home invaders window shop your belongings. Keep prying eyes out and your windows covered with blinds and curtains. Another great security solution is to replace your transparent glass window with frosted glass to obscure vision into your home.

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3. Use window alarms to alert you of movement

There are many standalone alarms you can purchase to keep your windows protected. Window alarms are perfect for downstairs windows, that are near entryways, or in bedrooms; as they simply stick to glass with no installation. The vibration of the glass sets off the alarm which should wake and alert everyone home that someone is breaking in. Not only do these devices alert you to any potential break-ins, but they are also visible to criminals. This lets them know that by breaking into your home they will be drawing a lot of attention to themselves, which is something thieves and burglars try to avoid.

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2. Use metal bars or grills on ground floor windows

Although bars might not be the most attractive things to look at, they are excellent for keeping burglars or home invaders out. Research shows that that if it takes more than four or five minutes to break into a building, the criminal will go elsewhere. Security bars and grills provide too tight an obstacle for burglars to climb through, yet they are large enough to not obscure your view or airflow. The only downside to burglar bars is that they could pose a potential fire hazard.

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1. Reinforce glass windows

The statistics show that in the USA, of all burglaries in 2010, 60% involved forcible entry. Reinforce your glass windows by covering them with a clear protective film to keep them from being shattered easily. You could also invest in stronger glass for your windows such as reinforced glass, smash-proof glass, acrylic glass, or Polycarbonate.

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Keep Your Home Windows Secure

Your safety is important and that's why you should always be mindful of residential window security. Don't undermine your home's safety by neglecting the security of your windows. Remember that your home's security is only as strong as it's weakest link, so stay safe and stay protected.

Read more safety tips from our other home security articles.

About Us:

Locksmith Services Longmont provides 24/7 locksmith services to the residents and businesses of the Northern Colorado region. Our Longmont Colorado locksmiths are excellent at what they do, and they can quickly assist with lock and key services such as: lockouts, rekeying, lock installations, lock changes, lock replacements, lock repairs, and more. Call us anytime or book online through our website. We provide locksmith services to those who are located in areas such as: Denver, Boulder, Longmont, Fort Collins, Greeley, Loveland, Estes Park, Westminster, Lafayette, Louisville, Erie, Fort Lupton, Firestone, and much more!

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