Your front door is the first thing a burglar tests, and most doors fail in the same place: the strike plate and the door frame, not the lock itself. This guide covers the upgrades that matter most, in order of value per dollar. It is part of our room-by-room home security tips . Start with the habit, then the hardware The National Crime Prevention Council reports that in almost half of completed residential burglaries, thieves walked in through unlocked doors or windows, according to a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office handout. So lock the door whenever you are out of sight of it, including when you are in the backyard. Also avoid hiding a spare key outside; the Metro Police Authority of Genesee County lists a key under a mat, fake rock or flower pot as something never to do. Fix the weakest link: the strike plate Most deadbolt and latch kits ship with short screws, often three-quarter inch, that bite only into the soft door jamb. In a WPTV test, a door held by three-quarter-...
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