Monthly Crime Prevention Tips From
The Community Affairs Section
A Look at Ways to Secure Sliding Glass Doors, Windows and Garage Doors
Sliding Glass Doors
Sliding glass doors can be an easy target for a burglar to enter if no remedial action is taken. Often, the door panels can simply be lifted out of the tracks. To deal with this problem, open the active door and install a number of wood screws in the track, allowing the screw to project down 3/8” to 1/2” or so. Slide the door closed, making sure the extended screws pass freely over the top rail of the door. Now try to lift the door from the track; the screws should stop upward movement before the door can clear the bottom track. Once the door has been secured from lifting, an auxiliary lock is needed because more than likely, the standard lock supplied with the door is nothing more than a small hook bolt that can easily be forced open. Locking bars (commonly called “Charlie Bar”) are ideal for this purpose; but a length of dowel (an old broom or mop handle, for example) can also be placed in the bottom track to keep the door from being pushed open. The dowel should be cut to a length so it fits snugly in the track between the wall and the doorframe. If ventilation is needed, another dowel could be cut a few inches shorter to permit the sliding door to be opened no greater than six (6) inches. There are also a number of commercially produced locking devices for sliding glass doors.
Windows
The primary interest in securing windows is to eliminate possible entry by prying open or breaking a small area of glass to reach a single latch.
Double Hung Windows
Double hung windows are commonly found in most homes. These units consist of two sashes that slide vertically. Factory supplied locks used on such windows are easily pried open. They may represent only temporary obstacles of the determined burglar. A simple method to secure double hung windows is to drill a 3/16” hole from the inside window sash three quarters of the way through the outside sash at a slight downward angle. Then insert a nail or pin into the hole to secure the window. If the sash is wood, the pin can be made of such length as to set flush with the sash. A magnet kept nearby can then be used to remove the pin. Remember that room windows are often used to escape during the event of a fire and at least one window in each room should be available for such purposes.
Horizontal Sliding Glass Windows
Sliding glass windows are often fabricated from inexpensive and lightweight materials. Usually, locks used to provide security are similar in quality to the window. Like sliding glass doors, sliding glass window sashes can often be lifted from their track and therefore should be treated the same as sliding glass doors.
Casement, Hopper or Awning Windows
These window styles generally hinge or pivot at one point and the locks used on such windows may have lever handles that actually pull the windows tightly closed. They may also have cranks located on the frame which, when rotated, extends the windows to the open position. In most cases, the locks used with these styles are reasonably secure. To improve the security of these windows, loosen the setscrew in the crank handle and remove the crank handle altogether. The evacuation issue should be kept in mind.
Garage Doors
The failure to close and lock the garage door often presents the most serious security problem in the home. This should always be emphasized to the homeowner. The following are a series of recommendations related to garage door security:
- The garage door should be closed and locked at all times (even when the occupant is at home or working in the backyard).
- Overhead track operated doors are best secured with electronic door openers. They should be of the type that can be unplugged from inside the garage in the event the home is unoccupied for long periods of time.
- Check to make sure the track for overhead garage doors is securely attached to the home by woodscrews. Often the track is attached to a 1”x4” board that is nailed to the home. Burglars can simply force the nails out by kicking the outside corner of the garage door.
- Curtains on garage windows will prevent “window shopping” and also keep thieves from determining if vehicle is in the garage.
- A padlock placed in the door track above the roller will provide good security of the garage door while away from home for an extended period.