Homeowners Advised to Implement Security Upgrades to Deter Burglars
Homeowners are being encouraged to enhance their home security measures to deter burglars, as statistics indicate that the average thief spends less than 12 minutes inside a home and often uses basic tools for entry. Key recommendations include upgrading locks, securing sliding doors, eliminating blind spots, and utilizing modern smart home technology. For locks, experts suggest installing ANSI Grade 1 or Grade 2 deadbolts with a minimum one-inch throw bolt and replacing short strike plate screws with three-inch hardened steel screws that anchor into wall studs. Sliding patio doors, known for being easily forced open, can be secured with adjustable security bars or heavy wooden dowels in the track, and shatter-resistant security film on glass panes. To eliminate blind spots, homeowners should trim shrubs and bushes below window height and cut tree branches, while installing motion-activated floodlights and LED or solar-powered landscape lighting in dark areas. Smart home devices like exterior cameras and v...
