Is Your Home's Door Safe?

 All homes have entrance doors, or at least those in the Western style do. The front door serves as the entryway to your private residence, whether an apartment or a house. Although we expect legitimate guests, invited or otherwise, to enter via the door by permission from the owners, burglars or criminals may attempt entry through windows or breaking through the door. That's why it is important to make sure your door is secure and will protect your family during rough weather or from unscrupulous prowlers.

First, occasionally check the door's fit to make sure the bolt snuggles into the latch to prevent anyone from wedging a card or tool between the two to force the door open. Does the latch hold, or does it allow the lock to be jimmied? Does the bolt stick? Or does it jiggle in a loose way, providing opportunities for a burglar to rifle the lock and break into the house? If you don't have a deadbolt, should you get one installed? Is the doorknob on both sides secure and stable? Does it need to be tightened? Does the keyhole need to be cleaned of dust or oiled for easier use?

Next, inspect the hinges to ensure they are not rusting or wriggling loose. Check the weather stripping around the door's frame to see if it needs to be replaced in keeping out dampness and cold air. Is the wood frame in good condition, or is it starting to warp or fray? Should it be treated to prevent mold or fungal growth? Are there any decayed areas that should be repaired or replaced? Has the frame been loosened by anyone trying to break in previously, or from age or misuse? Does it need to be secured anywhere?

Then, check your windows or peephole to make sure they work as they should. Does your peephole let you clearly see the face or form of anyone standing on the other side of the door? Is it too small to be effective, or so large that it lets visitors peek in at you? Has it become obscured by dust or cracking, and thus need to be replaced? Are your door windows secured firmly in place? Do they rattle? Are they cracked? Are they large enough so that someone could break one, reach in a hand to unlock the bolt, and then enter by stealth or force? Are the windows weather-resistant? Does moisture become trapped inside? Are they cracked? Are they covered adequately at night to prevent peepers from looking inside your home?

Check for any cracks, fissures, or broken areas where insects can get inside. Make needed repairs at least once a year to keep your door in solid operating condition. Don't let pet dogs or cats scratch at your front door to be let in or out. Teach your children how to open and close the door with respect to avoid damaging it. With proper use and care, your door should last a long time and keep your family safe.

About the author:

For more information on doors and safety, Visit The Doors and Shutters Directory

 Charles Kassotis

More Articles 

What Are Some Of The Different Types Of Welding? - Kenzie Thompson
Welding is used across the globe in some way in nearly every industry you can imagine. It’s used in industrial settings, open air environments, underwater and even in outer space. Welding is used on almost every scale – by handymen and structural...

Top Ten House Alarm and Home Security Devices - Jordan McCollum
A man's home is his castle, as the saying goes. But homes today don't normally feature ramparts, drawbridges, moats and six-foot thick stone walls to keep out unwanted visitors. Today, a house alarm, and preferably a managed home security system,...

Owning Rental Property - Kirsten Hawkins
Many people today are intrigued with the idea of owning investment real estate. It sound like an awfully simple way to make money: Owning property, renting it out to tenants, and collecting rent payments. The truth is, it can be an extremely...

Selling Your Home On Your Own – Examples Of Problems And Solution - Raynor James
What can go wrong? About a gazillion things, but this is true if you’re working with a broker, too. A broker is probably more experienced than you, and may well have confronted and solved your problem on a previous home sale. If you can stay calm...

Spring Is Here . . . Give Your Interiors a Lift (and Lend a Helping Hand) - Melissa Galt
So you’ve got Spring Break coming up and the Easter Holidays are around the corner too. This is a great time to give your interiors a lift. Certainly you’ve probably already planned some Spring cleaning, but really make it count and clean out....

The Basics of Windows Improving Homes - Tony Robinson
If you are considering remodeling your home for improvements, you probably have considered the windows, doors, walls, floors, and other areas of the home by now. Windows, like doors make a statement when visitors come knocking, thus picking...

UNEXPECTED COSTS IN LOG HOME CONSTRUCTION - Mercedes Hayes
You won't go far without hearing horror stories about log home owners who went way over budget, ran out of money before the project was through, and generally had a terrible building experience. I'm sure there are as many tales as there...

Irrigation Installation & Maintenance Time Savers - Jack Stone
Irrigation Installation & Maintenance Time Savers Article by Jack Stone Copyright © 2003 by ProGardenBiz ProGardenBiz, an online magazine http://www.progardenbiz.com Over the last few years some clever people have come up with some clever ideas to...

Would You Steel Your Appliances - Donald Grummett
Would you steel your appliances? That is a question many consumers are now asking themselves. The “in” style ---------- Stainless steel household appliances are the “in” style right now. People are being drawn to the clean look of stainless...

How much difference do Bathroom Faucets make? - Denton Lesslie
When choosing a faucet for your bathroom. Consider the rest of the bathroom. We have all seen the TV commercial about the client choosing a bathroom faucet and asking the architect to design a house around it. Yeah right! There are some great...