There is more to home security than sticking an alarm sensor on a door or window and having a rather loud audible alert wake up the neighborhood if someone tries to break in. Most would prefer the would-be burglar is stopped from ever opening the door and with the use of appropriate home door security measures can get a good night's sleep not worrying about if someone is going to be able to get inside the house.
There are numerous types of locks on the market today, from the least expensive ones that only serve to keep out anyone without a key to those that are designed to keep out everyone but the true professional that have a burning desire to get inside the home. For the general public a decent lockset will be sufficient to keep out the average burglar but those that are bent on getting inside will manage it, even if it means breaking out a window.
However, with a recent increase in some areas of home invasion robberies, home door security may be something that more people are looking into having on their home. Not only the quality of the locks being used, but in the quality and integrity of the door itself. In addition to their insulating qualities, solid wood doors provide better protection against potential break-ins and when combined with a good entry lock and prevent a lot of people from getting inside. Many doors will have decorative metal surrounding the lock, but that will stop a lock from being picked and the door opened.
Those that fear having a plastic card used to 'jimmy' the lock open, can slow down the opening by placing a line of nails through the trim of the door in front of the lock's tongue. This will stop the card from being slid in behind the door trim. In the evening when the family is home, a hinged doorstop can be placed on the inside of the door to strop it from being opened, even if the door is unlocked.
Exterior doors without windows also provide the best home security ge alarm and a thief can break the window and reach in to unlock the door. Using deadbolt locks that require a key inside and outside will proved an extra layer of security in keeping an unwanted guest out of the home. For sliding doors, a piece of wood or metal placed in the bottom door track will prevent the door from sliding open. However, glass doors can be broken and having an alarm sensor that detects the glass being broken may make the burglar run away when the alarm goes off and the only thing missing will be the glass in the door.
One important thought to keep in mind when looking at home door security for the times the family is at home is the fact the door may be needed as an emergency exit. In the event of a fire, you will want to make sure that all members of the family can make a quick escape and that door security measures do not interfere with a fast escape from a burning building.
