I decided I would try to start to include a monthly tip to help neighbours keep their homes a little more secure, with little to no cost. This month I figured I would start at the entry point to your home, the Doors.
When you look at hinge packages, at the local hardware store, you will notice they come with tiny 3/4” screws. Probably all Phillips head, but that is another story for another time. These tiny screws, although really quite pretty and colour coordinated with the hinge set, do little in the way of protecting from forced entry. A good practice is to have AT LEAST two longer screws per side of each hinge. 3” or more is ideal. The idea is to make sure the screw attaches to not only the door frame, but the structural frame of the house around it.
Another important factor to consider is the stability of the door. Many metal clad doors are only framed with a 2 x 2” wooden frame and filled with styrofoam. While the steel cladding does offer extra support, using screws which go beyond the wood frame in the door, has little benefit. It is far better to get a SOLID wood door
Other factors to consider, when looking at target hardening
- Are the length of the throw to the deadbolt on entrance doors at least one inch?
- Are entrance doors equipped with good quality dead bolts?
- Did you install security strike plates (Astragals) on doors?
Content from KeepSafeSystems.ca - Used with permission