While I’m writing about securing your doors and pet doors, you might think about your windows too.  Basement and ground-floor windows should be secured.  How?  Well, if you don’t want to open them, they should be screwed shut–3″ screws will do.  If you will want to open them, there are fasteners that can be used to limit how high they can be raised. If you use these fasteners, install them so that the limit is about 3-4 inches.  But be sure you get the kind of fasteners that will let you open the windows all the way in an emergency.  They are cheap and easy to get.

If you have a multi-story home, consider carefully what to do about your 2nd story windows.  You may wish to install fasteners on them too.  After all, ladders are easy to carry.  And a nearby tree can be climbed.

It’s amazing how many people have “chains” or other door guards that don’t work.  They also have deadbolt locks on their front doors but the locks are fastened to the wood with short ,  1 1/2 or 2 inch, screws.  If you want to deadbolt your door, be sure to use big screws, at least 3″ long.  And screw them into the frame of the door itself.

By the way, I wonder how many people secure their front doors and then leave the back doors wide open, unlocked or unsecured?  If you want to secure your home, you have to do *all* the doors.

Every exterior door should have a peephole to look through.  This seems obvious but apparently it is not.  And the peepholes should be set at a height where they can be used.  Sometimes this is a problem for smaller people since, when there are peepholes, they seem to have been installed for use by persons whose eyes are at least 5’6″ above the ground.  This means that, if you are less than about 5’9″ or 5’10” you have to get up on your toes to look out the peephole.  That’s ridiculous!  Peepholes should be installed at a convenient height so they can be used.  Obviously this depends on how tall you are but I would suggest about 5′ off the ground (about 6″ lower than the height of the shortest adult in your house) is about right.

If you don’t have a peephole in all your exterior doors, they are easy to buy and install.  If I recall correctly, most hardware stores carry them and they come with a book of directions on how to install them.  Usually all you need is a 3/4″ or 1″ drill bit and they fit right in to the hole.

And don’t forget–*all* exterior doors should have them, not just your front door.  Otherwise, what if someone comes to the back/side door?

Actually, this tip applies to your office too-if you work in a small building with a door that opens directly outside.

Arrange for outside lights so you can see what is there *before* you go out.  These days, this isn’t hard to do:  a couple of spotlights properly located can illuminate the outdoors and prevent you getting an unpleasant surprise when you step out side.