Making Window Security Bars

Series Summary

Do-it-yourself home security and safety projects are often some of the most rewarding—and frustrating—tasks homeowners can tackle. But when a break in or a fire occurs at your home, nothing seems more important than the safety of you and your loved ones… or perhaps that $1,000 stereo system. The key to making your home improvements relatively hassle-free is a tactic that has worked for ages: divide and conquer. With step-by-step instructions in hand, Saturday afternoons walking around the house with a power tool and a plan can resume.

In these free home security and safety videos, learn how to upgrade your house in some important ways. Our expert will show you how to secure your windows and sliding glass doors, some of your home’s most vulnerable entries, with bar locks. Learn how to install a door guard latch to keep small children from getting out, as well as a peep hole to see who’s at the front door. Finally, get some important fire safety tips and learn how to install smoke detectors for your home.

Video Transcript

"Hi! This is Jon on behalf of Expert Village. In this video clip I will showing you how to secure windows. This particular house has some basement windows that are located right above ground level. The way that these windows open is that they slide to one side. If someone were to try and get into your house, this would be an easy entry point. The way to secure these type of windows, first of all you want to measure the opening. I've got about 29 inches. I am going to take my measurement and cut a scrap piece of wood to my 29 inch mark. Next I am going to place that board in the opening where that window would slide. This time when I try and open my window, it is going to get caught on that board. It only opens a little way until that board catches. This will really help prevent someone from opening it from the outside. You may also want to do this with a window located off of a deck. "