Did You Leave Your Windows Open Again?

People leave their windows unlocked and even open at a far greater rate than they do their doors. How many times have you locked yourself out of your house only to find that you left a window unlocked and were able to crawl into your home? While it might have worked out for you then, the truth of the matter is that an unlocked window (especially open) that is accessible from the ground might be the only reason that your home is targeted by a burglar.

Ground floor windows are obviously the most susceptible to unauthorized entry. Windows on the upper floors are attractive to burglars only if they can be accessed via a stairway, a fence, a tree or by climbing on terraces. It is important to remember that windows have latches and not locks. They should therefore have a secondary blocking device installed so as to prevent them from being slid open from the outside.

Wooden dowels and sticks provide an inexpensive solution for windows that slide horizontally. For vertically sliding windows, it is recommended that through-the-frame pins are installed. When the windows are open for ventilation, it is recommended that they are open no more than six inches and that the blocking device used to prevent the window from being opened further is not accessible from the outside. It is also important to remember that any windows located close to doors are never open in such a way that someone can reach in and gain access to the lock on the door and open it.

Bedroom windows should utilize blocking devices that can easily be removed by a groggy resident in the event of an unfortunate emergency such as a fire. As with sliding glass doors, anti-lift devices are required for all accessible horizontally sliding aluminum windows on the ground level. The simplest and least expensive method to secure these windows is to install screws half-way into the upper track of the sliding glass panel so as to prevent the window from being lifted out.

An additional measure that is recommended in order to deter any potential burglar is to place decals on some of the windows that indicates that there is an active alarm system, neighborhood watch or a dog.

If you have any questions as regards the security of your windows, please feel free to contact Always locksmith. Our call centre is at your disposal 24/7. The Always Locksmith customer support team is well trained and more than capable to handle any security related questions that you might have regarding your windows. They will send one of our certified technicians to your premises at your earliest convenience to assess the situation and provide you with the best solutions to fit your needs.