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Wondering how burglars usually get into homes? The shocking truth is that most of them gain entry the same way you do: through the front door. Even when they don’t do so, the front of your house is the first thing they’ll scope out - gauging your security awareness by looking at the most obvious part first.
Perhaps understandably, many UK homeowners don’t want to give security much thought. Many people are happy in their neighbourhoods and don’t want to entertain the idea that they can fall victim to crime or burglary. But crime doesn’t go away just because we aren’t thinking of it. Although your neighbourhood may have a low crime rate, having a front door that’s welcoming to burglars can turn you into a target all too quickly.
Taking basic security precautions is a sensible thing to do and front door security is a good place to start. Use these tips on how to make your front door secure to deter criminals and help keep your family safe.
Install CCTV cameras or doorbell cams
The old-fashioned peephole has its uses, but burglars prefer breaking into homes that look empty. That’s why so many burglaries occur during daylight hours. No miscreant likes being watched, so cameras are, at the very least, a deterrent. Doorbell cams are especially handy. They send an alert to your phone when people ring your doorbell. You can see who is there, and the speaker allows you to talk to them even when you aren’t at home.
Maintain a clear line of sight and use lighting
Burglars don’t want passersby or neighbours to see what they’re doing and raise the alarm. Maintain a clear line of sight from the street to your front door and install lighting that turns on when there is movement near your door. Once again, this is only a deterrent, but it can make your home look and feel like less of an easy target.
Install and use a safety chain
Even when you have a peephole or doorbell cam, there may be times when you open your door a little to speak to a stranger outside. For example, you may be faced with a caller who claims to be from a utility company or government agency. Police recommend using a safety chain when you open the door to speak to strangers. This allows you to ask for their credentials. Verify their bona fides with a phone call to their head offices before letting them in.
Use a multi-point locking system
More than half of UK homes are fitted with basic cylinder locks - and burglars confirm that this can make their “work” very easy indeed. These locks can snap when force is applied and they only need to break a single locking point to gain access.
Snap-proof locks are certainly a better option - but they don’t address the fact that the door is only being held closed at a single point. A multi-point locking system, on the other hand, holds the door closed at several points, making it much harder to break and enter. Police recommend securing doors with at least two locks with the option of a third night latch. However, Stronghold Security Doors use locks with up to seven locking points for even better security.
Install strong hinges, strike plates and door frames
There’s no point in having a strong lock if your door hinges and door frames are the weak points in your front door. A determined burglar can splinter a weak door frame with a single blow, and with this done, gaining entry becomes easy. You can reinforce door jambs with metal plates to strengthen them. Weak strike plates can also spoil your attempts at front door security. Both the strike plate you choose and the way you install it matter here.
Hinges may not be uppermost in your mind when securing your front door - but they should be. They must be firmly secured and tamper-proof. Fitting hinges to the inside of the door so that it opens inwards prevents tampering, but if you prefer a front door that opens outwards, you will need tamper-proof hinges.
Reinforcing doors and door frames so that they’re harder to break is an obvious solution. Let’s look at that in greater detail next.
Reinforce your front door
A deadbolt is the most basic form of door reinforcement. It’s cheap and easy to install, but it still depends on its attachments to the door and the materials your door and door jamb are made of.
Metal reinforcements around hinges, screws, and locks will strengthen your door considerably. If you have a fairly solid door and a knack for DIY, you can purchase door reinforcement kits and install them yourself. However, even a neat job will have some impact on your front door aesthetics.
Replace your front door with a proper security door
As any craftsman worth his salt will tell you, using the right tool for a task is always the best solution. When it comes to front door security, the best “tool” in your arsenal will be a purpose-designed security door system.
Our premium security front doors can withstand far more than a kick from a steel-capped boot. Drills, cutting tools, even brute force attacks with crowbars and sledgehammers fail when confronted with one of our secure entrance doorway systems.
The real beauty of Stronghold Security Doors
Knowing that your front door has great security features gives you peace of mind - but you still want your home’s entrance to welcome you, your family, and your friends. Stronghold Security Doors do exactly that with classic good looks and easy access for the people you want in your home - while keeping intruders firmly outside.
Be safe the beautiful way with Stronghold Security Doors. You choose the look. We realise your vision. You stay safe. Contact us today to find out more.
