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Entries Tagged as 'Home Safety'
Door Repair and Door Security Up-Grades
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Door Repair and Security Up-Grades by Ask Lon!
Being burglarized is a terrible experience. I know because it has happened to me. So, I’ve shot a video showing how to install an inexpensive door security up-grade to help lessen the likelihood of it happening again. Additionally, in the past 3 weeks I have been contacted by 3 different customers (one of them even had ADT Security) about break-ins.
In security this philosophy applies: “If you and a friend are being chased by a bear you only need to outrun your friend.” So let’s make your home visibly more challenging to break into.
Pervasiveness:
- 85% of all break-ins are through a door
- It takes 10 seconds for a burglar to kick-in a door
- An experienced burglar is gone in less than 12 minutes
- Police response time to a typical home alarm is often greater than 10 minutes
- 38 percent of assaults and 60 percent of rapes occur during home invasions
- One in five homes undergoes a home invasion or break-in
- There are more than 8,000 home invasions every day in North America
- In 48 percent of home invasions, victims sustain physical injuries
- Victims age 60 or older make up 17 percent of home invasion victims
Thankfully, added protection does not cost a fortune!
Actually nothing can be done to assure that the professional burglar will be kept out of your home but the good news is that most thieves are not well equipped and therefore look for the quick and easy targets. When they see a solid properly installed lock and door system, and kick one of these door frame supports, they generally move on to a door without them.
It costs approximately 3 times more to repair a door then it does to install improved door security.
Ask Lon combines different systems to make life more challenging for the professional burglar and to help outwit the beginner. Call me now @ 847-636-0771 to inquire about scheduling a free estimate.
Sincerely,
Lon Thomas Owner Ask Lon! 847-636-0771 Info@asklon.comHome Fall Checklist
Ask Lon’s! / Fall Checklist!
Residential Homes & Condo Associations
Replace batteries in smoke/ fire and carbon monoxide detectors.
Heating and Cooling: (Check the literature that came with your furnace – can’t find it? We can help!)
Inspect the chimney to be certain it is clear of nests and debris. Clean A/C condenser and cover unit. Vacuum around furnace and be certain nothing flammable has been placed near heating system. Replace air filter, check room for proper ventilation and move air duct vent to “winter” position. Test the thermostat to assure the heating system ignites and shuts down properly.
Humidifier:
Some forced air systems have built-in humidifiers which need to be cleaned prior to use and the water supply turned on then tested for leaks. Failure to maintain the unit invites mechanical failure and corrosion of the air ducts. Worse yet, poorly maintained systems can provide an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria and mold. Even those standalone humidifiers must be cleaned and inspected.
Plumbing:
Drain garden hose & close exterior water supply. Are all exterior stairwell drains clear and working properly?
Roof:
Check for leaks. Check for damaged, loose, or missing shingles. Check vents and louvers for birds, nests, squirrels, and insects. Inspect flashing around roof stacks, vents, and skylights for leaks.
Attic:
Examine internally and externally for holes or leaks along the roofline. Make certain that attic insulation doesn’t cover ventilation vents in the eaves. Keeping them clear helps prevent winter ice dams. Remove or add as insulation necessary. Check for evidence of birds, squirrels, raccoons, etc. Check for proper ventilation.
Windows & Doors:
Check condition of caulk, glazing and weather stripping around windows and doors. Clean out window and screen door weep wells. Lower storms and test window locks. Make sure the basement window wells are high enough to prevent ground water from flowing into them and that the bottoms are cleared of leaves and that dirt or gravel is at least 12 inches below the window sill. When was the last time you loosened the soil within them to improve drainage?
Garage Doors:
Adjust to eliminate openings where critters gain entry and lubricate wheels and opener. Good time to replace remote batteries too!
Exterior walls:
Check for cracks, openings and deteriorating bricks and mortar. Check for loose or damaged siding. Check painted surfaces for flaking.
Landscaping:
Remove tree limbs, branches, or debris that can attract insects. Be certain ground around your home drops away ½ inch per-foot as you move away from the house.
Gutters and Downspouts:
Remove debris and check for leaks, misalignment, or damage. Are those downspout extensions in place and secure?
Would you like us to handel these details?
Dial 847-636-0771 for a free evaluation.
Ask Lon! 847-636-0771 info@asklon.com www.asklon.comHome Security Alert!
Sadly, requests for door and lock replacements due to break-ins have reached an all-time high. For example, we work with Rite Lock and Safe in Skokie and have experienced a 3 fold increase in the last 6 months alone!
Basically Burglars fall into two categories: skilled professionals, often with tools, who check out a neighborhood before deciding which homes to target; and opportunistic thieves, who may simply kick doors until they find one that gives way. The right lock can deter the pro and defeat the opportunist.
Nearly two-thirds of all burglaries involve forced entry, and they succeed partly because of flimsy door locks, mounting hardware, and improperly installed door frames. A pro can spot a cheap lock which is why The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) strongly recommends using locks Rated 1. These locks are typically commercial grade quality or higher.
But even poorly performing locks can be significantly strengthened by replacing the strike (the metal plate that’s mounted on the door jamb and into which the lock’s bolt slides) with a box strike. You may not have to buy a new lock at all; a box strike should add significant protection to your present lock and other strengthening systems exist to support your doorframe providing improved kick-in resistance.
Another inexpensive way to enhance your current door lock is to replace short mounting screws with 3-inch ones. Screws of that length will penetrate the thin door jamb to reach the studs, providing more resistance to impact. Be certain that these screws are secured into the 2 x 4 rough framing which supports and secures the door frame.
Bottom-line, be proactive about home security! Add outdoor lighting, know your neighbors, always deadbolt doors even when you are only going out for a walk, and never leave notes pinned to the door; it’s a notice that you are not home.
We would be happy to take your call and walk you through the door security process or schedule a free home inspection.
Sincerely,
Lon Thomas Owner/Operator Ask Lon! Inc (847)636-0771 www.asklon.comFollow us on:
