Fight Against Break-Ins

Fight Against Break-Ins

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Story Published: Jul 6, 2009 at 5:10 PM PST

By Heather Reese

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The lazy days of summer aren't so lazy for thieves. There are more homes broken into during summer than any other season, according to the National Crime Prevention Council. But Consumer Reports says some key moves that don't cost a lot can really beef up your home's security.

Consumer Reports says forgetting to lock the inside door and leaving valuables in plain sight make your home more of a target. And there's more to guard against.

Many burglars kick in a door to break in. Consumer Reports says the door itself isn't usually the weak spot. The problem is that the lock strikes are held by ¾-inch screws. They aren't long enough to go into the main beam of the building. So when you kick in the door, it just breaks away the wood.

You can strengthen any exterior door by using a metal, reinforced box strike. They're about $10 at most hardware stores. And if you install them using three-inch screws, they'll go into the framing beyond the doorjamb.

You can also make your home more secure by lodging a pole against your sliding glass doors, and by having good outdoor lighting installed high up so that it can't easily be disabled.

If you have the money to install an alarm, Consumer Reports suggests a system that includes sensors throughout your home, not just on doors and windows.

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