Insert a screwdriver or pry bar between the door frame and the door about 6 inches from the corner, diagonal from the latch, at the bottom and pry upward. Tilting the door lowers the latch, releasing it from the bracket.
Burglar-Proofing Tips
- Install burglar-proof film, glazing, or glass on both sides of exterior-facing windows and doors.
- Add security screens to the outside of windows and doors.
- Install an alarm system and surveillance system.
- Use landscaping to deter burglars by planting thick, thorny bushes under windows.
Dirty Door RollersRollers are components at the bottom of sliding doors that allow them to slide easily along their tracks. If homeowners find it hard to open and close the door, it may simply be due to dirt on the rollers.
Homeowners can decide to install a secure deadbolt on their sliding glass door (if the door frame allows for one), or you can install sliding door loop locks that make it even harder for your sliding glass door lock to be bypassed.
How to Secure Your Windows Without Bars
- Use reliable locks.
- Install window security film or a reflective glass.
- Add window alarms and security cameras.
- Install laminated safety glass (one-sided view)
- Install outdoor motion-activated lights.
- Plant shrubs with thorns under the windows.
- Secure in-windows air conditioners.
If you leave a door or window unlocked, it's easy for a burglar to walk right into your home. And a glass front door may look lovely, but thieves can smash the glass, then simply reach in and unlock the door to get into your house.
Composite is the material of choice for high security front doors. Single material doors, like uPVC and timber, might have their benefits but composite doors boast the benefits of several materials (insulating foam, wood, glass reinforced plastic, aluminium).
8 Burglary Deterrents to Protect Yourself from Burglars
- Home security system. Do you know what most of these items have in common?
- Get a dog.
- Have your neighbors check on things while you're away.
- Secure your windows.
- Motion lights.
- Smart locks.
- Doorbell camera.
- Put in a front gate.
Contrary to popular belief, most burglaries do not occur at night at all. Instead, 65% of burglaries occur between 6am and 6pm. Most burglars do not want to risk encountering someone so they will try your home when you're most likely to be at work. The most common hours for a burglary to occur are between 10am-3pm.
Having glass in your entry door can bring lots of natural light into your entryway, and make it seem more welcoming. However, this same natural light can also heat up your entryway, making it too warm and causing your air conditioner to work overtime and your energy bills to go up.
Not only is having a bunch of flyers or stickers stuck in your door a nuisance, it can also serve as a way for burglars to mark your home. Many burglars will stick flyers or stickers on homes that they think are unoccupied to serve as an indicator for their accomplices that the home is unguarded.
These are the most common points of entry for home break-ins: Front door: 34% of burglars twist the doorknob and walk right in. First-floor windows: 23% use a first-floor open window to break into your home. Back door: 22% come in through the back door.
How to Stop Burglars From Targeting Your Home
- Install Home Security Cameras.
- Always Have Your Alarm Set.
- Install Motion-Activated Lights.
- Keep Trees and Bushes Trimmed.
- Play the Radio When You're Out of the Home.
- Always Have Your Alarm Set.
- Install Motion-Activated Lights.
- Keep Trees and Bushes Trimmed.
How to lock a door without a lock
- Fork it Up. For small emergency situations like a toilet door or a closet, you can repurpose a lock using household tools.
- Get a Portable.
- Build a Barricade.
- Buy a Commercial Barricade Device.
- Remove the Lock.
- Jam it Shut.
- Tie it Down.
How to prevent burglary
- Invest in a security system and cameras. Get visibility on the happenings at your house with a home security system.
- Keep quiet on social media.
- Make your house look lived in.
- Get a smart lock.
- Don't open the door for just anyone.
- Rely on your furry friend.
- Use privacy film.
- Close your blinds.
All exterior doors should be solid and made from the following materials:
- Fiberglass.
- Solid wood.
- Solid wood core (a layer of veneer over solid wood)
- Metal (Note: make sure metal doors are reinforced inside and have what is called a lock block. Otherwise, they can be bent out of the frame using a car jack)
Most “burglars” just want to break into your home, find something of value and get out as quickly as they can. In fact, the timeframe within which a burglary is committed is between 90 seconds and 12 minutes, according to the FBI! But the typical commission time is between 8 and 10 minutes.
Anything you can do to reduce that likelihood is a good idea, especially if those ideas are inexpensive.
- Be Sure to Lock Doors and Windows.
- Put Up an Alarm Sign.
- Put Up a Different Sign.
- Get a Noisy Dog.
- Remove Shrubbery.
- Leave a Car Parked Outside.
- Add Security Striker Plates.
- Secure Your Patio Door.
How Door Security Bars Work. Door security bars provide a superior security measure over locks and other door security devices. Some models only weigh around a pound yet they can withstand up to 350 pounds of brute force. A high percentage of burglars prefer to break in through the front door if that's an option.
