- The three things that a thief evaluates and that will turn him away are time, light and noise. The first thing a burglar does when evaluating a home to be burgled is to look at the outside of the home and identify the security features and deficiencies. A sign indicating an installed alarm system indicates that a home is protected, likely with sirens and lights, items the robber fears. Other features to have may include motion activated flood lamps, hiding places near points of entry, and any other spots where a burglar might exploit a weakness. Here is area which can benefit from spot lamps, since light is an enemy of the burglar.

- The locks on the doors and windows. Items that are visible, such as large deadbolts, bars, grates, and the such will not only deter criminals but also act to slow entry into your home should they attempt it. Making the bushes underneath windows the variety with thorns is also an excellent deterrent, since the burglar has to reverse the procedure to leave. These tips can be expanded into other kinds categorized by time. The more time the burglar needs to try and break in and retreat, the less likely he will risk entry into the home.

- The third area of home security is the area of noise. Door chimes, window chimes, alarm systems, any thing that will cause a great deal of noise to be generated will deter the burglar. A dog in the back yard, or a sound recording of a dog, will work as a deterrent as well. The burglar will scope the front, and then the back, since it is frequently the case that homeowners will lock the front but not the back. If there is a threat of an animal in the back yard, the thief will likely move on.

Those are the three ways to setup your home to deter thieves. Lights to illuminate the thief that wishes to stay in the shadows, noise to make the presence of the thief well known, and time wasting items to deter the thief and make him or her ultimately decide that the home is not worth it. These three areas will prevent over 90 percent of break-ins to your home. Those who are determined to break in will find ways to counter anything you might have utilized to deter the thief. Such determined individuals will break in no matter what. The tips described here will ensure that the rest will fail at breaking in, or decide not to try.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2009-01-12 05:25:14. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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1. Outlet covers.

The first place to start is your outlets. They are right at infant/toddler level and electrocution is devastating. You can simply cap outlets to prevent children from sticking their fingers inside. There are also plug protectors available that will prevent children from unplugging a device and getting hurt.

2. Installing cabinet locks.

While it may not be feasible to remove all dangerous cleaning products, medicine and other dangerous items from your home, it is easy enough to install cabinet locks. We highly recommend these for any home with children and they can easily divert a disaster.

3. Sharp edges.

If you have tables, counters, or anything with a sharp edge, it is vital to either replace them, or purchase end covers that will provide a softer surface. Kids fall, especially when they are learning to walk, and a sharp edge may cause a head trauma. In a pinch, foam tape on these corners will work wonders.

4. Child safety gates.

These are very important, especially for children that are able to crawl or just starting to walk. They should be placed in doorways to rooms where children should not enter, and at the top and bottom of stairs. We highly recommend adding one to kitchens since this is an area where injuries frequently occur.

5. Securing decks.

Your deck may look safe to you, but imagine if you are only a few feet tall. Could you get your head stuck between the railings, or worse, fall through? Purchase sturdy lattice that can be nailed in or consider adding a steel mesh around these areas to prevent these accidents from occurring.

6. Curtain and Blind cords.

Every year, thousands of children die as a result of improperly secured curtain and blind cords. It is absolutely vital to make sure that they cannot reach these cords. Remove them from reach and secure them so that there is not enough cord for a child to play with.

There are also a few other considerations to think about. One accident that is unfortunately highly common is a problem with countertop fryers. If they are placed to close to an edge, or a cord is hanging down, it is all too easy for a child to pull it down on themselves. By taking steps to avoid a tragedy, you can rest assured that your children are protected.

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Originally posted 2008-09-25 05:32:02. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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• a screwdriver
• hammer
• chisel
• sandpaper
• drill
• in some cases, some adhesive.

Let's get started! First, you'll need to remove the old lock system. If it's corroded, this can be pretty tough. If you can't get it to come out of the door, try some WD40 to loosen it up. You may have to crank on those screws, but make sure that you don't strip the heads or you'll have a terrible time trying to get the lock out. Completely remove the lock mechanism and the plate that goes over the jamb.

Now, you're going to need to measure the receptacle for the lock in your door jamb. If you're using a similar lock, there shouldn't be a problem in getting the tongue of the lock to fit into your door jamb. However, in some cases, you may need to widen the area. If the size difference is minimal, sandpaper will usually work to help create a better fit. If there is a big difference, slowly and carefully use your hammer and chisel to widen the area gradually. Don't get too carried away or you'll damage your door.

Once you're sure that the tongue of your new lock will fit into the door jamb, you're ready to get started. Separate the new lock into two pieces and insert the locking side first. Your door should already be sized to accept it. If not, you'll need to change the shape of the hole with either sandpaper or a special saw. If you're not comfortable with wood work, you'll need to get someone else to widen this hole for you.

Attach the locking side to the door, making sure that it will line up perfectly with the second half before finishing. Now, get the second half of the lock and put it on the outside of the door. Place the two sides together and finish attaching them. Most new locks will come with instructions on how to accomplish this, so make sure you save them.

After this is done, you can install the new jamb plate and test the lock. It's best to do this from the inside so you don't get locked out if something goes wrong. We recommend fully testing the lock and the keys before you install it to cut down on any problems. It's well worth the extra effort and you'll keep from getting locked out. Although most prepackaged lock sets should be perfectly calibrated, there is always a chance that something might be a little off. Test it beforehand and you'll have smooth sailing all the way. Make a copy of the key to put in a safe place and go relax - you just installed a new lock successfully!

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Originally posted 2008-11-18 16:56:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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1. Clean thoroughly. Any good landlord will make sure that the apartment or house you're renting is thoroughly clean before you move in. But if you clean it yourself you remove that lingering doubt that maybe it wasn't cleaned thoroughly. And it will smell like your cleaning products, which will make it smell like your old home so it's more familiar right away.
2. Call an exterminator for an inspection and treatment if necessary for things like mice and roaches. Even if you don't see anything now, that doesn't mean it's not there. It won't feel much like home if you wake to discover you have roommates you didn't expect.
3. Change the locks. Even if you trust your landlord, you don't know if all the keys to your new home have been turned in over the years. You'll immediately feel more secure.
4. Pay attention to the bathroom. If there's a trash can, toss it and get a new one. Look for hair build up in the tub and sink drains and remove it now. And change the toilet seat to a brand new one.
5. Be sure you have plenty of extension cords in case the outlets aren't in great places. You don't want to feel frustrated by your inability to reach them.
6. Spent a few hours really looking around the area, into all the nooks and crannies, so you can discover anything left behind now rather than later and just get more familiar with your new home.
7. Pay special attention to the fridge. Clean and disinfect it to remove any traces of the last tenant.

Photo Credits: Patrick Q

Originally posted 2010-02-02 03:24:02. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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2 - Now you want to check the backset for your knob or dead bolt. This is going to be measured from the door's latch to the door knob or dead bolt's center. Most measurements are either going to be 2 and 3/8 inches or 6 cm, or they are going to be 2 and ¾ inches or 6.5 cm. The bolt or the latch in many of the newer lock sets will be adjustable for both of these measurements, but you need to take care before leaving the store that you have the right backset so that you do not have to return to the store for replacement parts.

3 - Now you should remove the old knob or dead bolt by removing the screws securing the pieces together. These screws are found within the inside half of the knob. Once they have been removed you can simply pull the halves away from the door. Make sure that the door is not allowed to be closed; otherwise you may have difficulties reopening it without the use of a butter knife or a screw driver.

4 - Now you should remove the latch or the throw bolt by removing the screws on the edge of the door securing the piece in place. If your new lock is the same brand as the old, you may be able to use the old latch or throw bolt, but not always. It is generally better not to replace these parts if you can help it because removing the screws can weaken their hold in the door over time.

5 - Now the installation process is simply the reverse of the removal process. Most door knobs and dead bolts come with installation instructions that you can consult if you are unsure about a specific step. Otherwise, the process is essentially quite straight forward and involves assembling the two halves of the door knob or dead bolt just as you pulled the two previous halves apart. As mentioned earlier, if you can keep the same latch or throw bolt as before, do so, as this guarantees a stronger door lock in general.

Photo Credits: YuvalH

Originally posted 2009-07-20 05:30:38. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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