Home Security Products

The average burglar will give up trying to force entry after four minutes, so properly secured windows and doors can be the single most effective measures to prevent your home being burglarized. So when you are looking for home security products, taking the right steps to secure your doors and windows is a great place to start. At the same time, you do not want to resort to measures which could endanger your life in a fire. You should therefore consider putting locks on all your windows, but avoid nailing them down or using bars and grates.

The easiest target windows are ground floor, windows that can’t be seen from the street and those which can be reached from drainpipes or low roofs. You might want to consider using glass block for these - it is virtually unbreakable. Slatted windows should be avoided as they are especially vulnerable.

Burglars don’t want to break your windows if they can help it; they prefer to cut an access hole or slip in a thin stiff wire to undo the locking device. Most double hung windows have cheap locks which should be replaced by heavy duty sash locks or even keyed locks, if you can put up with the inconvenience. Another option is installing a small eyebolt in either corner. If done correctly the window can't be opened, with the eyebolt in place from the outside, and these are easily removed in case of a fire.

One of the best home security products are glass block windows. Almost impossible to break through, they can't be opened but may not be pleasing to look at. Glass block is a good choice for basements or areas at or near ground level.

Modern security shutters present can be retracted, presenting less of a fire risk, so you might want to consider these. There are a variety of home security products that can protect your family - and the single most useful piece of advice about windows is to make sure you shut them, even if you are going out for a few minutes. Many burglars are pure opportunists, so don’t let your windows be the opportunity they need.

Home security products can also include a properly designed and installed home alarm system. Putting an alarm system in your house, and alarm stickers on your windows is also a great deterrent. Burglars are 3 times more likely to give up on breaking into a house with a visible alarm system than one without. This type of measure can prevent the burglar from trying to get into your house in the first place!