Home Security: Secure Your Doors

When devising your home security plan, don't overlook the simple things you can do such as securing your doors. You may want to install an alarm system complete with monitoring, but if your doors are weak and allow an intruder easy access, then your home security system will not be as strong as it could be. Make sure that your doors are strong and protected enough so that they cannot be breeched by someone who is not supposed to enter your home.

Your doors should be make from a hard material or wood that is extremely difficult to break down. You can also apply an internal cover plate and a steel reinforcement plate on the outside to make your door even stronger. Your door should be thick and sturdy and likewise the door frame must be firm and must be securely bolted to the wall so it cannot be easily pried out of place. The strongest door in the world will not protect you however if your locks are weak.

There are many different types of locks and the one you choose will depend upon the type of door you have and the amount of money you have to spend. As an added measure of security, you may want more than one lock. For example, you might have an electronic door lock and a regular lock that is resistant to picking or breaking. Take into consideration the placement of your locks in regards to windows in your door. Make sure that an intruder can't bust out a window and reach in and undo your locks. You might have to put your locks far down your door or up higher than normal. You should probably choose at least one lock that can only be opened with a key both on the inside and outside.

For the most basic of door security, install a door chain. This will allow you to partially open your door to check for identification. You may opt to install a door limiter which works in the same manner but it sturdier than a door chain. Installing a peephole is also highly recommended because this way you can see who is outside without having to open your door.

Sliding glass doors are less secure than regular doors and present their own special problems. An intruder can gain access into your home by simply lifting the door off of its track. In order to prevent that, you should install a device that keeps the door from being raised up such as a pin lock or special patio door lock designed for that purpose. Of course, the fact that the doors are made from glass makes them especially vulnerable, so choose reinforced sturdy glass that is hard to shatter. You can even use laminated glass for the most protection. If you have a security system, be sure to include your glass doors for protection. If you don't have a system, you can install a dummy alarm box next to the door so an intruder can easily see it.

Motion detectors are useful for providing security at the doors of your home. When your motion detector is triggered and turns on a light or sounds an alarm, you will know in advance that someone is approaching your door. These motion detectors are also useful in protecting your family and visitors from tripping in the dark and getting hurt since the doorway area will automatically light up as someone approaches. This also adds an added level of security when you come home at night while you are unlocking your doors.

You can see that there are many steps you can take to secure your doors and make your home more secure. One of the first steps you should undertake when working on your home security plan is to make sure your doors and locks are appropriate and properly secured.