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Home Burglary Prevention Tips

Attached are attached three pictures of what happens when a burglary suspects kick in a door, in this case it was the front door. Notice this home owner not only has a regular door lock but an addition dead bolt with the hope it will provide additional security. The problem in this case as with the majority of the residential burglary cases is the door frame. The door frame is made of dried pine wood that is used in the construction of most homes and holes are cut into it for the bolt of the lock to fit into which leaves even less wood to secure the door.

Obviously a steel frame for a door is the better and more secure choice and would be something that in most cases would be installed during the construction of the home. The installation of a steel door frame in an existing home is something to consider however could be costly. There are some other things homeowners can do to help prevent and secure their homes better from being burglarized. I have found two things that you can do to help make your home more secure that are relatively inexpensive. Master Lock makes a brace that can found at places like Home Depot and Lowe’s and it is designed to fit between your door handle and the floor. It works like people use to do in the old days by propping a chair up against door. They also make a door reinforcing kit that you can install yourself that can help strengthen the door frame which can be purchased at home improvement centers as well. This kit has metal reinforcement hardware which is attached to your existing door and door frame and helps make it stronger and more secure. Something else to look at is the door itself, is it a solid door or hollow core door. Burglars usually kick doors or body slam them and in cases where the door is flimsy, the door splits in half and the burglar gains entry. Something else to consider when it comes to doors; Does the door have glass built into it? If the door has glass the burglar can simply break the glass and reach in to unlock the door. In a door with glass you can install a deadbolt lock that requires a key. However if you leave the key in the lock this defeats the purpose of the lock. However, everything goes back to the construction of the door frame and the door itself. The burglar can always resort to the basic way of breaking in, kicking or body slamming the door and if they are not solid the door is coming open.

As always we recommend the installation of a security alarm system. An alarm system can’t stop a burglary but serves more as a deterrent. However, an alarm system with a well constructed door and door frame or brace can in most cases help prevent a burglary.

Stay Safe,

Sgt. David Rueff
Metro Nashville Police Dept.
Central Precinct
501 Broadway, Suite 300
Nashville, TN 37203
862-7611