Thanks for all the good advice and words of wisdom.
The deadbolts that are keyed on both sides are illegal in some jurisdictions for the reasons mentioned. Late at night in a burning house, you really want to be able to open the door. Looking for the keys or crawling through the window is not the best option to saving yourself and other family members.
The cheaper deadbolts and locksets don't really have to be picked unless your are the person who pays to replace them
. A cordless drill and a few minutes time will quietly let you in. The poor soul who returns home is the one who picks up all the brass shavings in the carpet and pays to replace the lock.
With regards to door frames and the door themselves, many of us don't have real control over either due to the expense of replacing them or the fact we are in rental properties and can't or won't.
As long as your house is not the easiest on the block to break into, you will stop the casual kid next door type theif looking for a quick easy theft.
If you are looking at a more professional criminal or home invasion scenarios, you are looking a whole new level of problem and much higher standard of defense.
As mentioned above, moving to a better neighborhood is an option for some with the finances to do that but, the criminal element you are trying to avoid may follow you to the better neighborhood due to the richer pickings and easier breakins.
In all honesty, if it is myself, a friend or, someone trying to help me (EMT, Fire Fighter, Police, etc.), I want my doors and windows unlocked and open to the world. If it is someone upto no good, I want barb wire, home protection dogs, armed guards - police, etc. The reasonable defense lies somewhere in the middle of these extremes.
Always consider what would happen if you were locked inside and needed to get out. You also have to consider friends and family guests who may be staying with you. Double keyed deadbolts and burgler bars are wonderful items until your house is on fire and filled with smoke and you are the only one with keys to escape (assuming you can find and use them in the smoke and heat filled room under great stress). What happens to the children and guests who are clawing at deadbolted doors and shaking burgler bars on windows?
In this extreme case, fire fighters can enter but, you are slowing them down and delaying their response and ability to save yourself and loved ones. Think before you build your fortress.
The deadbolts that are keyed on both sides are illegal in some jurisdictions for the reasons mentioned. Late at night in a burning house, you really want to be able to open the door. Looking for the keys or crawling through the window is not the best option to saving yourself and other family members.
The cheaper deadbolts and locksets don't really have to be picked unless your are the person who pays to replace them
. A cordless drill and a few minutes time will quietly let you in. The poor soul who returns home is the one who picks up all the brass shavings in the carpet and pays to replace the lock.With regards to door frames and the door themselves, many of us don't have real control over either due to the expense of replacing them or the fact we are in rental properties and can't or won't.
As long as your house is not the easiest on the block to break into, you will stop the casual kid next door type theif looking for a quick easy theft.
If you are looking at a more professional criminal or home invasion scenarios, you are looking a whole new level of problem and much higher standard of defense.
As mentioned above, moving to a better neighborhood is an option for some with the finances to do that but, the criminal element you are trying to avoid may follow you to the better neighborhood due to the richer pickings and easier breakins.
In all honesty, if it is myself, a friend or, someone trying to help me (EMT, Fire Fighter, Police, etc.), I want my doors and windows unlocked and open to the world. If it is someone upto no good, I want barb wire, home protection dogs, armed guards - police, etc. The reasonable defense lies somewhere in the middle of these extremes.
Always consider what would happen if you were locked inside and needed to get out. You also have to consider friends and family guests who may be staying with you. Double keyed deadbolts and burgler bars are wonderful items until your house is on fire and filled with smoke and you are the only one with keys to escape (assuming you can find and use them in the smoke and heat filled room under great stress). What happens to the children and guests who are clawing at deadbolted doors and shaking burgler bars on windows?
In this extreme case, fire fighters can enter but, you are slowing them down and delaying their response and ability to save yourself and loved ones. Think before you build your fortress.
