Published by FUN
MATES PRESS
Many burglars enter homes by simply breaking glass windows. A
good deterrent is to have better quality glass installed at vulnerable points
around the perimeter of your residence. Most burglars avoid attempting to break
the following types of glass due to the fear of attracting attention:
LAMINATED GLASS is made by a vinyl or plastic interlayer
sandwiched between two layers of glass. This type of glass adds additional
strength to your windows. To gain entry, a burglar would have to strike the
glass repeatedly in the same spot in order to make a small opening. Most
burglars are reluctant to create this type of noise for fear of being detected.
TEMPERED GLASS is made by placing a piece of regular glass in an oven,
bringing it almost to the melting point, and then chilling it rapidly. This
causes a skin to form around the glass. Fully tempered glass is four to five
times stronger than regular glass. WIRED
GLASS adds the benefits of a visible deterrent. Extra effort will be needed to
break the glass and then cut through the wire located within the glass, in order
to gain entry. PLASTICS: Plastic
material is divided into two types: acrylic or polycarbonate. The acrylics are
more than ten times stronger than glass of the same thickness and are commonly
called plexiglass. Polycarbonate sheets are superior to acrylics and are
advertised as 250 times more impact resistant than safety glass, and 20 times
more than other transparent plastic. With
SLIDING WINDOWS the primary objective is to keep the window from sliding or
being lifted up and out of the track. There are many manufactured products
available for securing windows. Here are some of the suggestions:
PINNED WINDOW ANTI-SLIDE BLOCK SLIDEBOLT: It is not
recommended that you lock a window in a ventilating position. This is an
invitation to a prying action which can result in entry. Key locking devices
offer no real security, and they can be a fire exit hazard.
CASEMENT WINDOWS are the simplest to secure. Make sure the
latch works properly and that the “operator” has no excess play.
If so, replace the worn hardware.
DOUBLE HUNG WINDOW latches may be jimmied open. If a window
is not used, screw it shut (except bedrooms). For windows in use, drill a
sloping hole into the top of the bottom window, through and into the bottom of
the top window, and insert an easily removable pin or nail.
LOUVRE WINDOWS are bad security risks. Remove and replace
with solid glass or other type of ventilating window. Or protect with a grate or
grille (except bedrooms).
WARNING: One window in every bedroom on the
ground and second floor must be left available as a fire exit, particularly for
children and guests in you home. At night, the bedroom window may often be the
quickest and safest means of getting out. Because of the danger of fire, decorative grills are not
recommended on bedroom windows.
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