| While most burglars do not kick in a front door | | | | So how does a homeowner prevent this from |
| and blatantly invade a home while the residents | | | | happening? There are several methods of |
| are inside, they do frequently enter a property | | | | reinforcing doors and doorways to prevent illegal |
| through sub standard or inadequate doors when | | | | access through them. The first is the installation |
| residents are out or away from home. | | | | of the "Charlie" bar on every sliding door in a |
| What is an inadequate door? Take a look a typical | | | | home. The second is through the replacement of |
| door between a family's garage and living space. | | | | thin or shoddy doors with high quality reinforced |
| Quite often it is an inexpensive, hollow door with a | | | | steel doors. This is frequently a do it yourself |
| flimsy lock and door jamb. This is a traditional | | | | project for many homeowners, especially with |
| installation because the builders of the house | | | | the advent of pre-hung doors that only require |
| believed that a homeowner would rely on the | | | | correct framing and trim work. |
| security of the garage door to prevent burglars | | | | Next, a homeowner can install one of the many |
| from entering the property. However many | | | | door jamb cap systems available. These are steel |
| homeowners frequently leave their garage doors | | | | units that cap a door jamb as well as the edge of |
| open when they are away from home, and | | | | the door at its most vulnerable points - around |
| security industry statistics reveal this access way | | | | the handle and hinge areas. These systems |
| as one of the most popular among thieves. | | | | prevent even the strongest individuals from being |
| While the garage connecting door is usually in need | | | | able to kick in a door. It also prevents a |
| of an upgrade there are also many examples of | | | | homeowner from having to remove or a replace |
| front and back doors that do not meet adequate | | | | a door jamb, and usually takes only an hour of |
| home security requirements. Another example is | | | | work per door. |
| a patio or sliding door. Quite often the locking | | | | Finally, there is the wise option of having a home |
| mechanisms on even the best of these sliding | | | | security system professionally installed. In addition |
| doors are easily disabled. For this reason many | | | | to the reinforcements suggested, a home |
| homeowners install what is called a "Charlie" bar in | | | | security system can monitor for glass breaking, |
| the track or opening of the sliding or patio door. | | | | motion and forced locks. This is the ultimate |
| This completely prevents the door from being | | | | method of preventing a home burglary. Home |
| opened, whether it is locked or unlocked. | | | | security industry statistics indicate that about |
| Many burglaries occur due to an entryway being | | | | eighty percent of convicted burglars state that |
| out of sight of neighbors or passersby on the | | | | they would avoid homes with electronic security |
| street. In enclosed porches, basement hatchways | | | | systems in place, and this is a great reason to |
| or even second story decks there are often | | | | choose a home security system for complete |
| doors that can be quickly, quietly and easily | | | | and guaranteed safety and protection. |
| forced open. | | | | |