How to Secure a Sliding Glass Door to Prevent a Break in

It is important to secure your home and family against a break in. Sliding glass doors are often used as an entry by burglars because people forget to lock them, their locking mechanism can weaken over time and they can be forced to jump off their track by thieves. Adding extra security to your sliding glass door is simple, inexpensive and well worth the effort for the peace of mind you will gain.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wooden dowel
• Measuring tape
• Saw

1. Get a wooden dowel that is approximately two to three inches in diameter, depending on the width of your sliding door track. Thicker is better, but you want the dowel to fit into the track easily.

2. Measure the amount of exposed track when the sliding door is closed, and subtract two inches.

3. Cut the dowel with your saw to fit your measurement.

4. Insert the dowel into the exposed track. Its presence will prevent the door from opening. The few inches you subtracted will allow you to remove the dowel when you open the door.

5. Place the dowel in the track any time you want extra security on your sliding glass door.

Tips & Warnings

• An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Avoid tempting burglers in the first place by keeping your curtains closed at night or when you are not at home.
• Test the door's lock frequently to make sure nothing is worn out or damaged.
• Use motion lights on the outside of your home that are activated when an intruder approaches the door.

References

• Securing Your Home