Easy security upgrades for home and business
Doors and windows are the best places to improve physical security
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By Alex Clark, Maverick Secured
After a little break, we’re back. Today we’re going to be discussing some easy (and cheap!) ways to make security improvements to your home or small business, and how to find and address gaps in your physical security.
Our first look will be at the easiest ways to improve your physical security. Doors are always the go-to entrance point for any burglar.
The very first upgrade you can make is to replace the deadbolt and door handle. This addresses multiple problems, such as being newer and less susceptible to being picked, rendering any keys floating around useless, and giving you the opportunity to upgrade to newer technology.
“Smart” deadbolts and handles are increasingly affordable now, giving you the option of using a code or a key. Paired with the right alarm system, you’ve now got your first “automation” device. Congratulations, and welcome to the 21st century!
The next absolutely necessary upgrade to your doors that you can easily make is upgrading the screws holding the door hinge to the door frame, and the bolt strike plate (the metal plate on the doorframe the deadbolt goes into). Count how many screws there are, then go to any hardware store and buy 3” stainless steel screws for the hinges, and 2” screws for the strike plate. These are much stronger and longer than your current ones, making more contact with the door frame and making it much harder for the door to be kicked in.
Moving on to windows. Like we covered earlier most break-ins start at a door, but windows are still a possible point of entry. Two easy upgrades you can make to help secure them are new locks, and simple wooden dowel rods. Yep, a piece of wood.
When looking for new locks, keep an eye out for any lock that requires more than just a turn. Something simple like a lock that requires two hands makes a big difference. After you change the locks, DON’T FORGET TO LOCK THEM!
For the dowel rods, it’s very easy and barely noticeable. Measure the distance from the top of the bottom window to the top of the inside of the window frame. Cut a dowel rod about a ¼ inch shorter than that distance, paint, or stain to match as best as you can, then place it against the inside of the window frame so the bottom of the rod is resting on the top of the bottom window. This simple fix will prevent the window from being opened from the outside and will confound most wannabe intruders. This is also very effective for securing sliding doors.
Some simple things you can do (for absolutely free!) include NOT hiding large amounts of cash in your home or business, double checking your locks, numbering keys, and keeping a list of who all has a key. Another tip is to not leave your car keys in your garage or hanging near a door. This will prevent a simple break-in from turning into an auto theft.
Alex Clark is the owner of Maverick Secured, a physical security consulting firm, and is the host of the forthcoming YouTube series and podcast, Maverick Secured. He can be reached by emailing alex@mavericksecured.com.