How to Make Your Home's Entrance Safer

You can make your home's entrance safer without turning it into a mini fortress. Just a few modifications will make it much tougher for the "bad guys" to get in.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• long screws for fastening hinges
• long strike plates (8-12)
• motion activated outdoor light fixtures
• deadbolt locks

1. Start with your locks. Make sure you have a deadbolt lock in your door. If you still have the locks the builder installed, you probably don't have a deadbolt lock. If you're not the first owner it's also a good idea to change out any locks the previous owner used (you don't know where a key may have ended up).
2. Installing a deadbolt lock is relatively straightforward. Deadbolt lock kits (including installation instructions) are available at your home store, or a locksmith can install one in less than an hour.
3. Check out the strike plate in your doorframe. Most are just a couple of inches in length and held in place with two 1 inch screws. Replace the old strike plate with a new plate 10 or 12 inches long (available at your home store). The longer plate will be much more difficult for someone to just kick out.
4. Install the longer strike plate with 3- or 4-inch screws (not just little 1-inch screws). Now the lock side of your door is secured with a deadbolt lock going into a longer, stronger strike plate that is secured with 6 to 8 screws, long enough to attach directly to the solid framing lumber of the door frame (not just to the door casing).
5. Replace the existing screws in the door hinges with the same 3- to 4-inch screws. This will secure the hinged side of the door to the actual 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 framing as well.
6. Install a motion sensing light fixture that covers your entrance and be sure your outside light fixtures have working bulbs.
7. Cut back any trees or shrubs that might provide a hiding place or cover for anyone trying to break in.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't make your home an inviting target. Use timers for lights and radios and change them from time to time so the lights don't always come on at the same time.
• If you're going away arrange to have regular deliveries stopped while you are gone and have a trusted neighbor pick up any "junk mail" that might show up. Arrange to have your grass cut or the snow cleared.
• Asking a neighbor to park a vehicle in your driveway also helps give the appearance the house is occupied.

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