Urban Survival Site's 15 Steps for Hardening a Home Against Break-Ins

Urban Survival Site writer Alan Urban lays out 15 ways to make a house harder to break into, arguing that a disaster would make intruders far more determined.

Key points

• Doors and windows: Urban says a single knob lock can be beaten within minutes and recommends deadbolts plus longer screws in the hinges, jamb and strike plate. For windows and glass doors, he suggests metal bars, many of them decorative, or security film that keeps glass from shattering.
• Alarms, lights and cameras: He values alarms mainly for waking the household, naming SimpliSafe as one system with battery backup. Motion-sensor lights at entry points and visible cameras serve as deterrents.
• Perimeter: His ideal fence is at least eight feet tall with few horizontal rails, a pointed top, a concrete footing, a padlocked gate and a see-through design.
• Overlooked openings: The list covers blocking off the chimney, securing the garage door and attic access, and removing climbing aids such as stacked firewood, trash bins and trellises.
• Low profile: Urban advises breaking down boxes from big purchases, keeping stockpiles off social media, using blackout curtains during outages, and getting to know neighbors who could share watch duty.

Quick take

Urban's view is that no ordinary house can be made impossible to enter, so his final tip is to keep at least one loaded firearm within easy reach. He also mentions a dog, a decoy safe or a safe room as further layers.

Read the full story at Urban Survival Site.