protecting your home

By Frank Fourchalk

Homebuying decisions should not be made on the size and decor of kitchens and bathrooms alone, but on the merits of good home security as well. Home security should be considered an option but as standard equipment.

Before you can determine whether a home is A-rated in the home security department, you must have some basic understanding as to what makes a home secure. This can be accomplished by taking a simple walk through the home.

All exterior doors should be of solid wood construction, assuring a good sturdy surface for the installation of a high-quality deadbolt. Unfortunately, locks are something that quite often end up on the short end of a builder's pocketbook. So after carefully examining the beautiful wood grain finishes on the exterior doors, it's time to scrutinize the lock hardware.

Deadbolts should be on every exterior door. Check to make sure the bolt has at least a one-inch throw (the part that enters the frame from the door when locked). When we talk about the bolt, it is important to find out whether the throw also extends inside the bolt casing itself when in the locked position. For example, two-inch bolts when in the locked position extend out from the door one inch, leaving one inch inside the door for maximum strength.

The casing, or exterior, of the deadbolt should be tamper-proof. This means it should be reinforced with steel and have the ability to rotate, making it almost impossible for a would-be intruder to twist it off the door.

Those beautiful sliding glass doors that allow natural light into a home definitely need a closer look. Doors that slide on the outside track should have auxiliary locks installed on the inside. If plastic locks are installed on the bottom of sliding doors, they should be replaced with more substantial locks.

To prevent lifting the door out of the track, self-tapping screws or anti-lift shims should be placed in the door's upper track. Once the screws or shims are installed, open and shut the door through its entire range. There should be just enough of the screw or shim protruding to permit free movement without allowing the door to be removed when in the closed position.

Sliding windows are one of the most vulnerable areas, so make sure they are secured properly. Usually something as simple as a piece of wood dowel in the track and a couple of screws or shims in the upper track will suffice.

Windows in hidden areas should be made of the strongest security glass available. There is also a security film that can be applied to the inside of windows. This clear film is easily installed and cannot be detected from the outside of the window. Be aware that security film is sold as a deterrent only and persistent pounding could defeat this product.

Because the deadbolt is usually exposed on out-swinging doors, make sure that the door has an astragal installed. An astragal is a plate that runs on the outside of an out-swinging door from the top to the bottom. This plate seals off the gap between the door and frame when in the closed position.

Every home should have a built-in video intercom installed. With the decreasing costs of this type of technology, builders might install these units at the pre-drywall stage. These camera units allow you to view and speak to visitors at your door without having to open it. If an intercom system is not part of your new home package, make sure that you have door viewers installed in all exterior doors. Door viewers today have improved considerably, giving a large, clear, optical view of who's standing on the other side of the door.

Full coverage burglar alarms should be standard equipment, making sure new homes have ample motion detectors as well as alarm contacts on all windows and doors (including upstairs).

Moving to the exterior of the home, take a walk around the perimeter. This should be done in the evening as well as during the day. Check for good visibility around windows and doors, making sure that secluded alcoves created by overgrown shrubs and trees are eliminated. Intruders are always looking for convenient hiding spots so make sure those sightlines are open.

For those evening hours, motion lighting around the home is the answer. Motion lighting can be one of the most valuable security devices for the home if installed out of arms reach. If exterior lighting can't be installed high enough to discourage would be burglars, vandal-proof housing should be installed around the fixtures to prevent tampering.

Once you have determined your home is physically secure, the next step after signing the papers and receiving the keys is to re-key the locks. Re-keying a lock should not be confused with replacing a lock. You do not need to replace the locks on your new home to lock out the previous key.

Keeping yourself and your family safe begins with a secure home so don't settle on poor security to protect your family and possessions. After all for the most part, your home is your largest investment.

And it's always a good feeling knowing that you made a secure investment.