Most burglaries are the result of forcible entry. Experienced burglars know that the garage door is usually the weakest point of entry followed by the back door.
Install and use Grade I deadbolt locks on all exterior doors leading into the garage as well as entry doors leading into house.
An unguarded backyard can be seen as an opportunity for thieves to get close to your house. Tall plants and bushes can provide burglars a cover while they attempt to break in.
Install outdoor lighting and a secure fence.
Keep plants and bushes near your home low and plant prickly bushes.
During the sales process realtors, inspectors, potential buyers and workers are in and out of the house. Many times these individuals are allowed use of the door keys unsupervised.
Replace or re-key your locks immediately after you move in to ensure that only you control the keys to your new home.
Have you ever handed your keys to a valet? Or give a contractor a spare key? There is a possibility that your keys have been copied or you have extra keys that are unaccounted for.
Re-key your locks any time you feel you might have misplaced a key or allowed a stranger to borrow your key. Weiser SmartKey Re-key technology makes re-keying fast and convenient, without having to replace the entire lock.
Locks are subject to wear and tear. Worn or rusted locks are a serious weakness in home security. Old, worn out locks are easier to pick and break, and they are more difficult to open legitimately with a key as time goes on.
Closely inspect deadbolts every six months for signs of tampering and excess wear. If your lock has severe tarnish, rust, or other visible signs of wear, it may be time to look for a replacement lock. If your lock is becoming increasingly difficult to open with the key, especially on cold nights, you need to replace or service the lock immediately to avoid an inconvenient malfunction that may leave you locked out.