Burglary Prevention - it is cheaper and easier than replacing and repairing your stuff

The majority of home and apartment burglaries occur during the daytime when people are away from the house. Burglaries are committed most often by young males less than 25 years of age looking for items that are small, expensive, and can easily be converted to cash.  70% of the burglars use some amount force to enter a dwelling, but their preference is to gain easy access through an open door or window. However, the most common way used to force entry through a door with a wooden jamb is to simply kick it open.  The weakest point is almost always the lock strike plate that holds the latch or lock bolt in place followed by a glass paneled door. The average door strike plate is secured only by the soft-wood doorjamb molding. These lightweight moldings are often tacked on to the door frame and can be torn away with a firm kick.

DOOR HARDENING

I came up with a door hardening technique that won't make your home look like a fort or a prison.  You will need to remove the door trim and insert a metal plate between the door frame and the stud wall. Your locks engage the plate as well as the door frame - both are tied into the stud wall with 4 inch deck screws. Then replace the trim around the door and after a little caulking and painting; the door is secure and looks exactly as it did before you started.

WINDOW LOCKS

Window locks are fairly easy to install and prevent the average robber / burglar from being able to force a window with the usual tools of the trade. They consist of a brass pin which is inserted through both of the window sashes. They can be removed easily from the interior when you want to open the window.

SECURITY LIGHTING

The items below are priced through a licensed electrician. Security lighting is a nice perk, but not really applicable for preventing burglaries (those happen while you are at work - remember?). However, security lighting will make it easier for you to find your way to the door without tripping over the dog's or kid's toys.  New security light - no power or outlet currently existing - price depends on location of the light, the type of fixture you want, and if you want a switch run. But, generally, expect something in the neighborhood of 400.00 for a new fixture with a switch.

CAMERA SYSTEMS

Security Camera systems can be a great way to nab the cretins who have broken into your home as the many police reports demonstrates. A decent camera system is about 800.00. Installation will take 2 guys a day to complete - so, labor will run about 720.00 for the day.   A middle path is the SMARTGUARD camera/motion sensor/security light. It is a single unit which can replace any standard motion light, but which includes a security camera which stores memory on a standard SD card. The memory overwrites older files, so if you have a break-in, you won't be stuck with five hours of photos of birds and squirrels - from five months prior. The photo quality is pretty low, but it's better than nothing and cheaper than a full-fledged camera system. Material and Labor is 150.00 to install the unit at an existing electrical point.  As an alternative, there are some great fake camera systems out there which cost about 20.00 per "camera". Labor to install the "camera" is generally 40.00 - depending on whether or not the device requires power to make the little red light glow.

It’s better to be safe than sorry.  –Birdy