You come in through your front door every day, but have you ever really thought about the level of protection it’s giving you?
A secure front door is about so much more than simply the locks, and with the following tips and guidance, you can make sure your door isn’t an open invitation for thieves and intruders:
Upgrade your locks
Periodically check the locks on your front door to make sure they’re not damaged in any way. If you suspect that the level of protection the lock is giving you isn’t high enough – whether due to damage or simply because the lock doesn’t look very secure – then you can talk to a residential locksmith about upgrading it.
Check how strong both your door and the frame, are
Desperate criminals will stop at nothing to get inside your home if they think you have anything worth stealing, and won’t hesitate to kick the door in if they can. Wooden doors are especially vulnerable, and if you suspect your door isn’t as robust as it should be, you can reinforce it by inserting a metal strike plate. As with any security measures when it comes to your front door, it’s always best to have a professional locksmith carry out the work.
The frame of your front door should also be screwed or bolted securely to the walls, and you can make it even more secure by having special bars fitted to make the locking points and hinges, sturdier. Hinge bolts will also help to prevent your door from being forced off its hinges.
Swap your windowed door, for a windowless one
While a front door with a window may look attractive and let natural light into your home, they can make the door vulnerable, especially if the window is close to the lock. If you want to keep your windowed door, make sure the glass is reinforced so that it can’t easily be smashed, or have decorative bars placed across it.
Install a door chain
While more of a primitive security measure than a lock, when used in conjunction with other security measures, this can be a worthwhile addition to your front door.
Put up a motion sensor light
This simple, budget friendly measure is highly effective, as after all, what burglar wants to be fully illuminated when trying to break in to someone else’s property?
While nobody deserves to have their home broken into, if you haven’t made any efforts to properly secure your front door, you may only have yourself to blame in the event of a break in.
To make sure your front door is giving you the protection you need, ask your local, residential locksmith to come and assess it for you.
