Without good security, we risk our safety. One of the main contributors to good security is a quality lock and door. Unreliable security can be a danger to our lives.
- Change or re-key all locks when moving into a new house or apartment.
- Make sure your locks are good quality. Just because the big home improvement store has it on sale for $9.99 doesn’t make it a good lock. People will spend thousands on furnishings and electronics, but still buy the cheapest locks to secure their property, that just doesn’t make sense.
- Make sure every outside door has a sturdy, well-installed deadbolt lock. Knob sets are not enough to provide good security.
- Only give keys to a few trusted people and keep a list of who you've given them to. If keys are ever lost or misplaced, re-key all locks.
- Do not leave spare keys in obvious places like under flowerpots or welcome mats. Instead leave an extra key with a neighbor you trust.
- Do not have identifying tags on your key ring that provides personal information such as your name or address in case your keys are ever lost or stolen.
- Consider investing in locks with keys that cannot be easily duplicated such as Schlage Primus or Mul-T-Lock High Security Locks, so you are sure copies of keys are not made without your knowledge.
- Consider investing in an alarm system. Although alarm systems do not offer any immediate protection (simply notification or noise) they do act as a deterrent and should be considered in addition to strong doors and locks.
- Choose solid wood, fiberglass or metal doors for exterior doors or install security gates. Be sure that the door frames are solid and cannot be spread without considerable effort.
- Install a peephole or wide-angle viewer in all entry doors so you can see who is outside without opening the door. Door chains break easily and don't keep out intruders.
- Make sure back doors and the doors that connect your garage to you home are solid and secured with high security deadbolt locks.
- Use locks on all windows. Don't forget garage windows and crawlspace openings