Why the Front Door Is Your Weakest Security Point
If you were asked to identify the weakest security point in your home, what would be your response? Some people might say basement windows constructed of very thin panes of glass with little to no reinforcement. Others might say the sliding glass door providing entry from the patio. In reality, however, the front door is the weakest point.
Although there are two main reasons as to why the front door is the weakest point in the house, it is important to understand that, home security is the first step towards protecting you and your family.
The easiest and most effective way to increase your security at home is to install a wireless alarm system that includes a monitoring package.
A Burglar’s Point of Entry
FBI crime statistics routinely show, that the preferred point of entry for a home invasion is the front door. Burglars do not attract attention when they approach the front door as calmly and unobtrusively as any door-to-door salesperson or repair technician. They do attract attention when creeping through the backyard or bending down to look into basement windows.
What needs to be understood is that the average entryway door can be breached rather quickly and easily with a swift kick placed in just the right location. An experienced burglar who knows what he/she’s doing can breach the door, get inside, and close it behind him/her before anyone else knows what has happened.
The best way to tighten things up is to install a heavy-duty, double-keyed deadbolt on the front door. One is the bare minimum; two are better.
If you are installing new locks on the front door, you might want to consider the back door as well. Consider buying aftermarket window locks for first-floor windows too. Just because the front door is the preferred entry point for a burglar, it doesn’t mean he will not try other entry points.
Answering the Door
We have established that the front door is your weakest security point because it offers a quick form of entry that will draw little attention to the burglar. But there is a second factor to consider: experienced burglars will ring the doorbell or knock on the door to find out if anyone is home. Answering the door,doesn’t necessarily mean you have deterred the burglar.
Some burglars will identify themselves as legitimate representatives of a local utility – or even a security company – to gain entrance to your home. Once inside a burglar will survey the house quickly and make a mental note of entry points.
To prevent this situation, you would be better off not allowing a stranger entry into your home. If there is a need to talk to visitors, speak to them outside when possible. In case a technician needs to come in to make repairs, be sure that person claiming to be the technician is properly identified. Any suspicions can be confirmed with a simple phone call to the technician’s employer.
The combination of due diligence, the right door hardware, and a home security system should significantly reduce your risks of burglary and other property crimes. We encourage you to take those steps right away.