How to Protect Sliding Glass Doors from Burglary

Burglary is a major concern for any homeowner. All precautionary measures should be taken to ensure that family and belongings are fully protected. Some areas of the home may be more vulnerable than others and could need a few extra safety measures to guard against burglary. No matter what extra steps are taken, the most important thing is making sure the family is safe at all times.

Things You'll Need

• Sliding glass doors
• Alarm system
• Dowel
• 2-3 sheet metal screws
• Deadlock
• Outdoor lights

Instructions

1. Have an alarm system installed in your home. The alarm system should be installed on the sliding glass doors and it should make a loud, piercing sound if someone tampers with the doors while the alarm is set.

2. Make sure the door frames of your sliding glass doors are strong and tight. Put a dowel, which is a small wooden rod, down in the bottom track. This keeps the doors from being pried open.

3. Check the locks on your sliding glass doors. They should be fully functional and securely lock the sliding doors in place. If they're damaged in any way, have them replaced immediately. The most effective lock is a deadlock.

4. Test the sliding panel of your sliding glass doors. You should not be able to lift the sliding door off the track. To prevent this, insert two or three sheet metal screws into the top track above the sliding door. Place them so that the sliding doors can still slide by but with little room to spare.

5. Install lights on the outside of your home near the sliding glass doors. Make sure the lights have at least 40-watt bulbs. Flood lights are especially effective at deterring burglaries.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask your neighbors to call the police immediately if they hear your alarm system going off. It's better to have a false alarm than not have police assistance when you need it.

References

• The National Sherriff's Association: Preventing Burglaries