| Doors - Your First Defense |
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Solid wood doors are good, metal doors are better. |
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Make sure hinges are inside so they cannot be removed |
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Use deadbolts (locks that throw a solid bolt into the door frame.) |
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These prevent an intruder breaking a side window and opening the door. If an intruder does get in through a window they will have to exit from the window since they cannot open the door. |
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Reinforce the door frame if required with a long strike plate, secured with #8 screws at least 2.5" long. |
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Most locksmiths have a wide variety of these. If your door frame is very thin consider having a custom made strike plate installed. It should be constructed of "L" steel and run from the top of the door to the bottom and secured every 6 to 8 inches. |
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Install a "LEXAN" (A clear material available at most plastic shops.) sheet over small windows around or in doors to prevent easy access to door lock if you have regular single keyed locks. |
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Check that a hand cannot reach through mail slots and reach the door locks. Have a child try for you. Intruders use them. |
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| Windows |
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Basement Windows - A Prime Entry Point |
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Install Bars if there is any chance of an intruder getting in this way. Some windows are a good fire escape route. If yours are, look into bars that can be unlocked and opened if required. Remember to keep keys to window bar close at hand but well out of reach to prevent an intruder who breaks the window from being able to find the key. |
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Custom made bars cost less than you would think and are usually stronger. Talk to us we do supply and install bars. |
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Ensure your bars are securely installed. |
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Talk to your Security Consultant about other options for your windows. |
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| SlidingDoors and Windows - A Special Problem |
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If only one side of your patio door can move, a simple stick dropped in the track makes it very hard to open. NOT IMPOSSIBLE. |
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Check that your door cannot be lifted out even with a pry bar. If it can, add a shim to the inside top track to take up the space. |
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If both sides of the doorway open, the simplest way to secure the doors is to drill a small hole through both doors, when closed, in the center and install a good solid pin. A 4" nail will suffice. |
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Check for top clearance. |
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| Fire Protection |
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Smoke Detectors - Do not go without them. These are mandatory in most location these days. |
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A smoke detector will save your life or the life of a loved one. |
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1st. - Install detectors on each floor near stairways as a minimum. |
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2nd - Bedrooms and other rooms are good locations for smoke detectors. Children hurt by match play do not sit in the
hallway to play, they usually are in their bedroom. Put smoke detectors in bedrooms for advance warning |
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Check Smoke Detectors every six months minimum. |
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Replace batteries in detectors every six months. Tip: When you change your clocks change your batteries |
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Replace detectors about every ten years |
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As detectors get older they get dirty and usually will give more false alarms. If you are having false alarm problems replace your detector. |
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If your detectors are wired into your house, when replacing get a unit with a battery backup. These units will continue to work when your power goes out and you are using candles etc. for light. |
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| Other Tips and Ideas |
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Change your locks when you move into a new home. |
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Try to keep valuables out of sight from windows |
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Be cautious of strangers who want to use your phone. If you have a cordless phone bring it to them outside, if not make the call for them. |
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Do not give information about your daily routines, travel plans or home security status to anyone. Especially people doing telephone surveys or sales. |
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Do not put an ID tag on your key ring, excepting coded tags as provided by the War Amps. |
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Do not hide your house key outside. |
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Do not leave garbage cans out, hide them. |
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Lower your telephone ring volume so it cannot be heard from outside your house. |
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Do not enter your home if it appears to have been broken into. Call the Police from a neighbor's and wait. |
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Make it difficult to hide. Intruders prefer a building where they can hide while entering. |
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Good Lighting. Use Motion Detection Lights they attract more attention and do not use energy when nobody is there. |
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Trim the bushes and trees to allow the maximum exposure of windows and doorways. |
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Check items that could provide easy access to second floor windows or balconies. |
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Make sure there are no tools for an intruder to use. Lock up ladders, shovels, or any other tool they could use to pry a door or window open. |
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Check that your house number is clearly visible both day and night. Get in your car and see how it looks while driving down the street. |
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Remember any Emergency Response Service will be looking for your house for the first time. Make it easy, when you need them seconds count. |
