Windows  Part 1

The second way bad guys try to break into your house is through the windows. Now, much to your surprise, perhaps, it's not your front or back window that is the easiest target - they are too visible and make too much noise. The primary target of the bad guy is your basement window. Now Old Blackdog might not be able to skinny through one of those windows, but they are not THAT small, and most bad guys are skinny crackheads who can get through them. They even work in tandem with a youngster who can just drop right through the window and then open up the door from inside. Cute, eh?

Basement Windows
Install glass block windows!! There simply are no two ways about it. Let's go back to my home as an example. My basement has six windows. They are all opaque glass block so no one can see through them. One window has my dryer vent installed in it. Two other windows have small screens in the middle of them for cross-ventilation. [The best way to do that is to have a screen in the front of the basement on one side and the back of the basement on the other side, so you get a nice diagonal airflow through the entire basement.] The other three are just plain glass block. It is absolutely essential that you have screens in two windows, otherwise there is no way to provide ventilation and the moisture build-up will ruin your basement walls. Note that glass block windows not only provide superb security, but they do wonders for your insulation as well. And they are not expensive. A standard-size basement window (in Detroit) costs about $60. Add $10 for a screen or dryer vent.

House Windows
There are basically three types of windows for a home: regular casement windows (they slide up and down), sliding windows and those old-fashioned kind that you crank open and shut. What's most secure? Those old-time windows are wonderful for several reasons. First, they contain several panes, none of which are large enough to enter, to say the least. They usually measure about 6" x 8". Second, the screens stay in place year-round, so it's simple to crank open the window and have lots of fresh air coming into your home. Third, when they are closed and you need security - like if you're going on vacation - or even just at night when you go to bed. Remove the crank! It comes right off, and without it, no one can break a panel, reach in and crank open the window. For better insulation, most of those old windows had storm windows that fastened from either the inside or outside of the house. Maintaining the window caulking and even putting up plastic insulation on the inside will keep you toasty warm all winter long.

Casement windows always pose a problem, and that's what most people have in their homes. Anyone can break a window, climb into your house and take whatever they want. There are some tricks that can help you though. If you remember my talking about deadbolt locks, if you have double-cylinder deadbolt locks and there are no keys in sight when you are not home, the same bad guy who broke in NOW has to break out. He's not likely to go through the window he came in, since glass breaks inward and he can get badly cut trying to go back out, so now he's faced with breaking out of another window - where he might have a far better chance of being seen. That's why I recommend double-cylinder deadbolts. But there are many things you can do to the window itself to keep people from breaking in - and those we'll cover in part two, along with some final information about sliding doors and windows.

                                                                                                      Blackdog                                                                                                        

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