How to Burglar Proof Your Windows

When we think of securing our homes, most people focus solely on fortifying their home’s main entryways with locks or deadbolts. While front, back and garage doors certainly tend to be the main targets for burglars, smart burglars will look for other vulnerable access points into your home, generally, first-floor windows. In fact, 23% of burglars enter a home through a window! 

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to secure all your home’s entry points, windows included. Here are some tips:

Make Sure Your Windows Are Solid

The first step to ensure your home is fit against a potential burglary is to do an “inventory” of all of your home’s first-floor windows. Ask yourself: Does my window align with the window frame? Are there any cracks in the glass? Is the frame warped? Does this window let in a draft? These are all questions to consider when evaluating the fortitude of your windows and determining if any of them are vulnerable to intrusion.

If you find that your windows are not up-to-par, it’s important to replace them or consider updating them with “shatterproof” glass. While replacing and upgrading windows can be expensive, the cost is a worthwhile one, especially if it leaves you feeling more secure and your family protected.

Check Your Windows’ Locks

While locking your windows may seem like an obvious tip, you would be surprised to learn just how many people leave their windows unlocked. In a recent Safehome.org study in which researchers asked over 1,000 people to check the status of their home’s windows, 53% had an unlocked window in their home, and 13% were unaware they were unlocked.

No one wants to be in that 13%, so take a few minutes the next time you walk through your home to double-check that all first-floor windows are closed and locked. If any of your locks are finicky, be sure to get them fixed ASAP.

Add Sensors

Once you’ve updated your windows and ensured all are locked, it’s time to take your security game to the next level by adding sensors to your home security system. For window protection in particular, here are some sensors worth considering: 

Entry Sensors: Designed with a tiny magnet to detect open windows and doors, an entry sensor will alert you whenever the magnet moves more than two inches away from its sensor, sounding an alarm. Consider placing one on every first-floor window.  Motion Sensors: A motion sensor is another great way to detect a potential intrusion, as it can detect human motion within 30 feet. Most homeowners elect to place motion sensors in highly trafficked areas of their homes, including living rooms and hallways.  Glass Break Sensors: Worried about a burglary forcing entry by breaking the glass in your window? Glass break sensors are for you. SimpliSafe’s glass break sensors or uniquely designed to detect the difference between the sound of a breaking dish and the sound of breaking window glass. These sensors are best placed in rooms with multiple windows

To enhance the effectiveness of these sensors further, it’s recommended to pair them with professional monitoring. In the event that your entry, motion or glass break sensor is tripped, the professional monitoring center will be alerted immediately and will be able to send help fast if a burglary attempt is in progress.

Install Outdoor Security Cameras

To help prevent burglars from entering through your home’s windows at all, consider installing outdoor security cameras near easily accessible windows, usually along the side or back of your home. It’s general knowledge that burglars avoid homes that have a home security system, and if they are able to see a camera near their targetted entry point, they likely will be deterred from attempting a break-in.

Secondly, most outdoor cameras – including SimpliSafe’s – feature motion detection, meaning that as soon as someone comes into your camera’s view, day or night, you will receive an alert. Plus, with SimpliSafe’s two-way audio feature, you can speak directly with the person in the camera’s view and let them know that you are aware of their presence.

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