Qui Custodes

windows

While I'm writing about securing your doors and pet doors, you might think about your windows too.  Basement and ground-floor windows should be secured.  How?  Well, if you don't want to open them, they should be screwed shut--3" screws will do.  If you will want to open them, there are fasteners that can be used to limit how high they can be raised. If you use these fasteners, install them so that the limit is about 3-4 inches.  But be sure you get the kind of fasteners that will let you open the windows all the way in an emergency.  They are cheap and easy to get.

If you have a multi-story home, consider carefully what to do about your 2nd story windows.  You may wish to install fasteners on them too.  After all, ladders are easy to carry.  And a nearby tree can be climbed.

Pet doors

A lot of people have pet doors in their back door.  You know what they are:  small swinging doors or plastic covers etc. that are unlocked so your cat or dog can get out without a human having to open & close the door.  But if you cat or dog can get out, a person can get in.  You might be surprised to discover how big the pet door is (or how small a person can make her/him self).  Anyway, pet doors leave your home unsecured.  So when you are locking your doors you should do something about the pet door too.

Doors

It's amazing how many people have "chains" or other door guards that don't work.  They also have deadbolt locks on their front doors but the locks are fastened to the wood with short ,  1 1/2 or 2 inch, screws.  If you want to deadbolt your door, be sure to use big screws, at least 3" long.  And screw them into the frame of the door itself. 

By the way, I wonder how many people secure their front doors and then leave the back doors wide open, unlocked or unsecured?  If you want to secure your home, you have to do *all* the doors. 

Peepholes (again)

Another thing I almost forgot:  Once you have the peepholes installed--use them!  I'm not sure how many people don't use the peepholes or think that visibility in them is inadequate or whatever.  If you cannot see out the peephole, fix the problem or get a bigger peephole.  But use it.  Don't just let it sit there.  And be sure your family uses it too. 

Doors

Writing about peepholes reminded me:  Exterior doors should not be made with large panels of glass.  If they are, it's easy to break the glass and just walk in.  This is expecially true of the back and side doors where you cannot assume someone would notice. 

Peepholes

Every exterior door should have a peephole to look through.  This seems obvious but apparently it is not.  And the peepholes should be set at a height where they can be used.  Sometimes this is a problem for smaller people since, when there are peepholes, they seem to have been installed for use by persons whose eyes are at least 5'6" above the ground.  This means that, if you are less than about 5'9" or 5'10" you have to get up on your toes to look out the peephole.  That's ridiculous!  Peepholes should be installed at a convenient height so they can be used.  Obviously this depends on how tall you are but I would suggest about 5' off the ground (about 6" lower than the height of the shortest adult in your house) is about right.

If you don't have a peephole in all your exterior doors, they are easy to buy and install.  If I recall correctly, most hardware stores carry them and they come with a book of directions on how to install them.  Usually all you need is a 3/4" or 1" drill bit and they fit right in to the hole.

And don't forget--*all* exterior doors should have them, not just your front door.  Otherwise, what if someone comes to the back/side door?

Light switches

The light switches that have a clock built in so that they turn on and turn off on a pre-determined schedule can be useful if you go on a trip or want to be sure you are coming home to a lighted house.  They are cheap too--I think they are less that $5 now.    You can get them at Home Depo, Lowe's etc. etc. 

You can also get a remote "on" switch to turn on the lights before you walk in but these cost more, depending on exactly what you wish to turn on.

Finally, some people will install a master switch that, when turned on, illuminates all the outside of a house. They use this switch so that, when they hear something, they can check the entire outside of the house easily.

Indoor Lighting

You hear this advice all the time, but it is worth repeating:  Always leave a light or 2 on in your home.  I use the bathrooom light and 1 other. Why?  Because someone can be in the bathroom at any time of the day or night. 

Outdoor lighting

Actually, this tip applies to your office too-if you work in a small building with a door that opens directly outside.

Arrange for outside lights so you can see what is there *before* you go out.  These days, this isn't hard to do:  a couple of spotlights properly located can illuminate the outdoors and prevent you getting an unpleasant surprise when you step out side. 

Identity security and your Mailbox

I haven't confirmed this one but I've heard of a new scam:  people steal your outgoing mail from the home mailbox at the end of the month to get bill and credit card and checking information.  Then they use the information for identity theft.  So beware--maybe it would be best to use the mailboxes rather than leave all this personal information exposed when you pay bills.