| Moving into a new home or remodeling | | | | burglar wants to get in, they will |
| means thinking about cabinet hardware | | | | simply smash the glass. This is true, in |
| and cabinet hardware products. And, it | | | | Hollywood. But actually, most burglars |
| also means thinking about the most | | | | are opportunists. They want to break |
| important house hardware of all - Locks. | | | | into a house with the least amount of |
| Door hardware is your home's protection | | | | bother, and it would be much better to |
| against intruders. | | | | slip in through a window than to break |
| Choosing the Right Hardware | | | | one. |
| These days, a deadbolt is essential for | | | | You should definitely have window locks, |
| keeping your home secure. Regular door | | | | and make sure that each one, downstairs |
| locks that function inside the knob just | | | | and up no matter how small, is covered. |
| can't guarantee the protection you need. | | | | Even the tiny one in the bathroom should |
| They can be easily broken by force. The | | | | be secured. An experienced burglar can |
| thick throw bolt of a deadbolt is nearly | | | | slip through just about anything, and |
| impossible to break through. | | | | slip right back out again with your |
| There are two kinds of deadbolts; single | | | | stuff. |
| cylinder and double cylinder. The | | | | Whether to use key or thumb turn locks |
| difference is that single cylinder | | | | is the same issue we dealt with earlier. |
| deadbolts have a knob or thumb turn on | | | | If the burglar chooses to break the |
| the inside, with a key only on the | | | | glass, they can simply turn the thumb |
| outside. With a double cylinder, you | | | | knob; if you use a key mechanism |
| need a key for both sides. | | | | instead, they would have to continue |
| If you are getting a deadbolt for an | | | | breaking out glass and risk getting cut |
| exterior door, it is usually best to get | | | | up coming in. |
| the single cylinder variety. This is a | | | | Even a cheap window lock will work |
| safety issue. If there were an emergency | | | | wonders in protecting your house from |
| inside the house, such as a fire, the | | | | intruders. Make sure it is one that is |
| occupants could risk being trapped | | | | visible from outside. Most burglars |
| inside or slowed down by having to use a | | | | would rather move on to another house |
| key. A single cylinder and a regular | | | | than deal with any kind of difficulty |
| doorknob locks will offer enough | | | | getting in. |
| protection to the house, and also allow | | | | Keep in mind that locks work not only to |
| anyone inside to get out. | | | | keep your house safe, but as a deterrent |
| The only exception to this is a door | | | | for would-be burglars. In the same way |
| with windows. If there is glass on the | | | | that security guards deter theft by just |
| door, it would be easy for an intruder | | | | being there, having good, solid, visible |
| to simply break the glass and reach | | | | locks on your doors and windows will |
| through to the deadbolt's knob. It is | | | | keep most burglars looking for an easier |
| usually best to consider safety first | | | | house. |
| and go with the single cylinder, but if | | | | Another thing to remember is that you |
| your house has inner and outer front | | | | can never have too much home security. |
| doors, you can use both. | | | | It is a good idea to keep a safe, in |
| Don't Forget the Windows | | | | addition to the other safety precautions |
| You might wonder, what's the point of | | | | you place in your home. |
| installing window locks? After all, if a | | | | |