With the apocalypse fast approaching, make this quick upgrade to protect your home and loved ones. In this article, I explain how to strengthen your doors FAST and for very little cost.
Did you know that most home invasions start with a single door kick?
The standard exterior door is installed in such a way that it can be knocked open with one kick. ONE. A criminal kicks it and runs inside before you can get up off the couch. You have no time to call for help or get any weapons to protect yourself.
How is this possible?
The typical front door has a single lock, and the screws fixing the plate to the door are less than 1 inch long. If you do nothing else, buy some 3 1/2 inch screws and replace these small screws with longer ones like these Big Timber screws.
While you are at it, replace the screws on the hinges as well with these Big Timber screws. Like the door knob, hinges are typically installed with small screws. If you fortify only the door knob side, the criminal still gets in fast because they kick the hinge side since that side becomes the weakest point on the door after you strengthen the lock side.
Replacing screws on BOTH sides of the door will make the bad guy spend extra time kicking and kicking and kicking… and kicking—while you dial 911.
Replacing screws alone is a HUGE upgrade in security, but if you want to take it a step further, get a Door Reinforcement Lock.
It’s easy to install. Use your 3 1/2 inch screws instead of the ones in the lock package. I say this because the screws they send with the lock are notorious for stripping because they are standard Phillips head. The Big Timber screws use a STAR HEAD that is almost impossible to strip.
If you want to take it one more step, get some 2 X 4 Barricade Brackets for extra security. If something odd is going on outside, it makes sense to put a 2 X 4 across the door.
Notice the wimpy screws they send with the product. Again, use your 3 1/2 inch screws to attach these simple brackets to the wall. Use a stud finder and install the brackets over a stud with the longer screws.
