This information is meant to be an aid to the homeowner in securing the home against possible theft. By using these suggestions we do not guarantee that you will not be the victim of a burglary or theft.

Exterior Doors
All exterior doors should either be solid wood or metal. Do not use a "hollow core" wooden door if the door goes to the outside. The door should fit snugly. If it does not, metal weather stripping -- properly installed, will snug up your door.

Always know who is at the door before you open it. A wide-angle door viewer will allow you to see who is outside without opening the door.

Hinges
Hinge pins should be on the inside of the door; however, many homes have doors which open to the outside, exposing the hinge pins. Despite your good strong lock, the burglar can remove the pins and lift the door from the frame.

If your door has the hinge pins on the outside of the door you can install non-removable hinge pins, or you can drill a hole below each top hinge leaf and above each bottom hinge leaf, making sure the holes are directly opposite each other. Then install a solid metal pin, screw or concrete nail into the hole in the door frame. The pin should protrude about 1/2 inch. When the door is closed the pin will fit into the hole in the door; when locked the hinge pins can be removed but the door itself cannot be lifted out.

If the hinge screws do not line up with each other, do the following:

1. Drive the pin into the frame just below the hinge.
2. Drill a hole in the edge of the door.
3. The hole should be larger in diameter than the pin.

This is good protection for any door, regardless of how the hinge pins have been installed.

Securing Attic Crawlway Opening
Reason for security of crawlway opening: Several burglars have made easy entry into homes by crawling up into the attic then kicking down through the ceiling causing damage, plus what they steal.

When the crawlway opening is not installed inside the home or storeroom, it should be secured by other means. Secure the crawlway with the following:

1. A solid wood or plywood cover.
   
2. Two hardened steel hinging hasps, or hinge one side of the door from the inside and put a hasp on the other side.
   
3. One or two case-hardened padlocks.

Security Strike Plate
The metal plate on the door frame that the latch rests in is called the "strike." The strike should be securely installed into the framing timbers with 2-1/2" or 3" screws. If long screws cannot be used, extra long (8"-12") strike plates should be used. This will make it extremely difficult for a thief to kick the door open.

Latch Bolt Door Guard
The Blocker. The latch door guard for that added protection against forced entry attempts. It mounts to the door with four heavy duty bolts.

Locks
All exterior doors should be protected with a pin-tumbler lock that has at least five pins in its mechanism. Each should also have a deadbolt lock for additional security.

All deadbolts should have a bolt which extends at least 1" when in the locked position, a cylinder guard ring of case-hardened steel which rotates freely, a hardened steel insert or bolt-bearing (to prevent sawing the bolt off), and mounting bolts of at least 1/4" in diameter and as long as possible given the door and frame dimensions.

Certain deadbolts require a key for both sides of the door -- these are called "double cylinder" deadbolts. These locks are especially effective for doors with glass within 40" of the lock. An intruder cannot break the glass and unlock the door by reaching through. Some authorities recommend leaving the key in the lock when you're at home for ready exit in an emergency. It is also recommended that one door, preferably the primary exit, not have a double key lock on it.

Some jurisdictions do not allow these locks -- check with your local law enforcement or building code authorities before installing a double key lock.

Another solution for doors with glass in or near them is to install shatterproof glass or polycarbonate. This is more expensive than regular glass and should be installed by professionals, but it works!

Another excellent lock is the rim lock or verticle deadbolt. It comes in single or double cylinder varieties and features two vertical deadbolts which slide into hardened metal hasps attached to the door jamb. This type of lock cannot be slipped, forced with a wrench, or pried open.

Another type of rim lock utilizes a large, horizontal sliding bar. It is less expensive than other types but equally effective. However, both of these locks are only as strong as the screws that attach them to the door frame.

The spring latch lock is a privacy lock and should not be used for security. It offers no protection. The bolt can easily be slipped by a plastic credit card, fingernail file, or thin bladed knife.

This is the same type of spring latch locks, but with the addition of a "deadbolt latch" it offers better protection against being slipped, if it is installed correctly. However, this lock offers little protection against being forced because the burglar simply twists the doorknob off with a pipe wrench or vise grips.

Padlocks are typically used for garages, sheds, storage areas and workshops. Look for a sturdy padlock that doesn't release the key until the padlock is locked. It should have a rugged laminated case with a 3/8 inch shackle so it can resist being smashed. A double locking design can prevent the shackle from being pried away from its case. Remember that a padlock is only as good as its hasp. The hasp should be secured with bolts and mounted on a metal plate. Be sure bolts are concealed when the padlock is locked.

Casement Windows
Casement windows secure best when the latch works properly and the window shuts tightly. Removing the window crank makes it harder on the thief if he should break the glass to open the window.Drill a small hole through the latch frame and the latch handle. A metal pin or small padlock can be inserted, locking the latch closed.

Sliding Glass Doors and Windows
Several types of locks are made especially for sliding doors and windows. Metal pins, screws, and lag bolts can also be used. Do not use a lock that is difficult to remove on a window that is an emergency exit.

In addition you can:
Insert screws along the upper track above the door. Some sliding glass doors are hollow behind the center of the track -- these doors should have the screws installed slightly to the side so they are anchored in the frame. Leave enough room for the door to slide but not enough space for the door to be lifted out.Adjust the rollers so the door cannot be pushed up enough to lift it off the track.Put a piece of wood or a metal bar in the track of the closed door. This prevents the door opening even if the lock is jimmied or removed.Purchase a pin lock or drill a hole and insert a nail through the inside frame and part way through the metal door frame. You can remove the pin or nail but a burglar can't.

Louvered Windows
These windows are difficult to secure because the individual panes can be easily removed. Application of a two-part epoxy resin to each pane of glass will prevent easy removal.

Grilles or grates are recommended for louvered windows or any especially vulnerable window (like those concealed from casual observation or at street level). Make sure grilles are equipped with a quick release feature for emergency exits.

Double Hung Windows
Most standard windows have a small thumb-turn lock in the center. Don't rely on these. They can be pried open or easily reached through a broken pane.

You can buy special key locks for windows. Keep the keys away from the windows, but make sure everyone in the house knows where to find them in case of emergency.

An easy, inexpensive way to secure your windows is to use the "pin" trick. Drill an angled hole through the top frame of the lower window partially into the frame of the upper window. Then insert a nail or an eyebolt. The window can't be opened until you remove the nail. Make a second set of holes with the windows partly opened so you can have ventilation without inviting intruders. Eyebolts can provide strong resistance against jimmying.

(This information provided by the National Crime Prevention Council and the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office.)