Guam Prepper Network: Home Hardening

I am constantly thinking about ways that I can make my house harder to get into. I've joked about getting a moat installed around my house, and if money wasn't a problem, I would seriously look into it. Unfortunately money is a problem, so I have to find ways to make my house more secure that are affordable. I wanted to share a few things that I've done that are cheap and easy to do. Keep in mind that i'm not a handy man either, so if I can do it anyone can.

Visibility: If you can see inside your house, that means criminals can too. So they can easily spot something they want just by strolling by. An easy way of fixing this would be by putting up some curtains. Not only does it block visibility, it also blocks out heat and sunlight, which will help save you money on power. Another option is tinting your windows, but costs a bit more. Don't leave valuables outside. If you have hedges or bushes, trim them to cut down on hiding places.

Locks: They won't help if you don't actually use them. I know a guy that complains about getting his stuff stolen, but he also leaves his stuff laying around and his car unlocked with the windows down. For your doors you can install a tougher deadbolt, and one that you can rekey. You will also want to strengthen the doorjamb, because its the jamb that fails when the door is kicked in. You can purchase these kick plates that have 3 inch screws instead of a 3/4 inch screw. Here is an example of a larger plate with the longer screws.

You can add some security to your windows too. The most common one is placing a wooden or metal bar in the inner window sliding track. This is effective, but does not secure the outer window. To address this you can drill through both the inner and outer window and place a nail or screw through them. If you want a more polished look your can purchase a patio door pin at your local hardware store. Here is an example of a few i've installed.

Another measure to add to your window is to place some screws on the upper tracks of both windows. These prevent the windows from being pried up and out.

Some additional tips that will make your house a harder target:
-Motion sensored lights.
-Dogs. It does not have to be a large breed, but a large breed will not only be a good deterent, but will be also protect your family if it needed to. Most criminals are deterred just by the sound a dog present.
-Timers. Timers for lights are a great way to prevent your house from appearing empty. You also also put tv's and radios on timers, to give the allusion of activity.

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