Doors, Locks, & Keys

General Safety Tip

  • Secure roof openings and exhaust systems.

Doors

  • All doors that lead to the outside should be metal or solid-core, 1-3/4 inch hardwood. Most hollow doors can be easily broken through.
  • Each door should fit in its frame with no more than 1/8-inch clearance between the door and frame. A metal lining on the inside of an exterior door can prevent drilling, sawing, or kicking through.
  • Door hinges should always be on the inside and designed so that hinge pin cannot be removed from the outside.
  • Secure sliding glass doors with commercially available bars or locks, or put a wooden dowel or broom handle in the door track. Burglars look for sliding glass doors because they are the easiest to open.

Locks

  • Make sure all doors to the outside have good locks -- deadbolt locks with a minimum 1-1/2 inch bolt.
  • Make sure locks are also installed on screen and storm doors, garage doors, cellar doors, patio doors, and any other door that leads to the outside (including second-floor patios or decks).
  • Always use the locks you have, on both your home and your garage. Lock up every time you go out, even if it's only for a few minutes. Almost 50% of burglars enter homes or property through unlocked doors or windows.
  • Locks on doors should be placed at least 40 inches away from windows, glass panels, and other potential openings such as mail slots. Make it hard for a burglar to reach in and unlock your door. You can also install double cylinder and deadbolt locks that need to be opened with a key from the inside as well as the outside.

Keys

  • Never hide keys outside, such as under a bush or in a flowerpot. Burglars know where to find "secret" hiding places. It's much better to leave a key with a trusted neighbor.
  • Don't place identification tags on your keys or key rings; if you lose them, you give potential burglars help.