Windows
Part 2With your plain old windows, there just really isn't anything you can do to keep someone from breaking through them and entering your home. What keeps the bad guys from doing so? First, basement windows are easier, less exposed and simpler to get into. Second, it makes a heck of a lot more noise breaking in your front window. Third, it's pretty hard to break into a window if there are people around. Always remember the three things a bad guy NEVER wants: People, Light, Noise! If you go away, even for a short time, your windows should be shut and locked. Most people simply just don't do this. Unless you leave Rover home to guard the house, like I do, shut and lock your windows! With an open window, a bad guy can simply rip a knife through the screen, grab the window and raise it, cut a larger piece of screen and just waltz into your home. This is not good because it makes NO noise.
And remember to not just shut but lock your windows. Those locks aren't foolproof of course, but they do offer some bit of protection. Newer windows, like mine, have safety latches on each side so that when they are opened, the window can only slide up just so far - usually about 5 inches. That way the window can be left open, and no one can cut the screen and raise the window. Many people in my metro area have security bars on their windows. This guarantees no one will get in. But unless you have security bars that can be unlocked and opened from inside for exit during an emergency, e.g., a fire, DO NOT install them. There have been dozens of people in the last year who have perished in house fires in this metro area simply because they could not get OUT of their homes. This is utterly tragic. Locking security bars are fine if you are worried about where you live, but keep the keys where you can get to them, and make sure everyone knows where they are. If you don't have newer windows, you can always drill a hole through the window frame and into the wide frame and insert a long nail into it (make it big enough so the nail is easy to remove). And you can put a metal rod between the top of the open window and the top of the window frame to prevent it from being opened further.
Sliding Windows
Some homes, mostly 1950s to early 1970s vintage, have sliding windows. And there are always sliding glass doors on patios. They all have locks, but that just isn't sufficient. Visit a locksmith and get keyed locks for all your sliding windows and doors (again, the same key can be made to work on all windows). That's the first level of protection. Second, very carefully measure the distance in the window track between the edge of the window - when closed - to the edge of the window frame. Also measure the size of the window track. Then go to your hardware store and have some metal rods cut that fit into the track and run from the closed window to the frame. The rods are not expensive, and will keep any sliding window from being opened. Be sure the rod fits down into the track, but is not so tight that you cannot get it out when you want to open the window. Whenever the window is closed, insert the rod and lock the window - whether you are home or not.
I think you've read everything you need to know. Common sense is also a major factor. My neighbors, of all people, left their window open that faces the front porch and the street. They have the stoppers so the window could not be raised more than 5". But the dinette table is right inside the window, and sitting right on the table was her purse. In broad daylight, someone saw that from the street, walked up and pretended to ring the doorbell and be waiting for an answer - but in reality reached over with a knife, slit the screen, reached their hand through, grabbed the purse, pulled it right out and was gone. This probably took about 20 seconds and raised NO suspicion at all.
As always, you can send your questions about any security topic to info@blackdogsecurity.org.
