Protecting Your Home: Window Security

More than 2.1 million burglaries were reported in the United States in 2012, according to the FBI, proving just how simple it is for intruders to break in. Nevertheless prior to make a big purchase of a security system, take a close, tough look at your home. A couple of simple, low- or no-cost measures will substantially prevent a potential burglar from targeting your home.

• Remember, the objective isn't really to make your house completely break-in proof. It is just to make your house a less attractive target than the other homes in your area. Take a look at the surrounding homes and change accordingly. Do not be the lowest-hanging fruit!
• Most house robberies happen throughout the daytime when the majority of people are away at work or school. 70% of the robbers use some quantity force to go into a dwelling, however their choice is to get easy access through an open door or window.
• Although house robberies may seem random in event, they actually involve a choice procedure. The robber's choice process is easy: Choose a vacant home with the easiest access, the best quantity of cover, and with the very best escape routes.

Window Security

Windows are left unlocked and open at a much higher rate than doors. An open window, visible from the street or alley, might be the sole reason for your the home of be selected by an intruder. Ground story windows are more susceptible to burglaries for apparent factors. Upper floor windows end up being appealing if they can be accessed from a stairs, tree, fence, or by getting on verandas. Windows have latches, not locks and so they should have secondary obstructing devices to avoid sliding them open from the exterior. Low-cost wooden dowels and sticks work well for horizontal sliding windows and through-the-frame pins work well for vertical sliding windows. For ventilation, block the window open no more than 6 inches and make certain you can't reach in from the outdoors and get rid of the obstructing device or reach through and unlock the door.

Brand new windows often are more secure. Here's why:

Sash Windows

The sash window is thought about the most protected kind of window due to the fact that, with no way to turn the crank from the outside, there's truly no chance an intruder could enter your home through the window if you're sure to close and lock it. No additional hardware is had to make the casement window more safe.

Sliding Windows

A sliding window comes with a lock designed to stop the operable pane from moving back and forth. For included security, you can install a burglar bar between the window frame and sliding sash. With the tension set properly, there's no other way anyone can operate the window from the exterior.

Double-Hung Windows

A double-hung window includes the very same lock as a moving window. This lock holds both sashes in location so they cannot move. To increase security further, many brand-new double-hung windows featured an additional piece of hardware set up on the face of the leading sash's frame. When the tab is pushed in, the bottom sash moves easily, but when extended, the window is locked safely in location. If you have older double-hung windows, you can buy this hardware separately and install it on each window for added home security.