Frequently Asked Questions About Home Security

Here is a list of some common security questions homeowners may have. If you have a question not answered here, please contact Security Improvements for more information.

Q?I have deadbolts on my doors. Won't these secure my doors?
Q?I have an alarm system on my home. Won't that deter a burglar?
Q?I have glass windows (also know as sidelights) next to my door.
Won't burglars just break the glass to get in?
Q?I'm usually home at night. Isn't that when most burglaries occur?
Q?I have steel doors on my home. Isn't that enough?
Q?Will reinforcing my doors hurt my homes appearance?
Q?I have home owners insurance if I suffer a loss. Why do I
need to keep criminals out?
Q?I own a gun. Surely that will keep a criminal out?

I have deadbolts on my doors. Won't these secure my doors?

Deadbolts are essential to properly securing doors. However, if no additional measures have been taken to reinforce the door or frame, having a deadbolt won't make much difference. Most often when a burglar uses force on a door, it is the door jamb that fails or even a poor quality deadbolt. This is where the installation of the JambBraceŽ product will greatly improve the strength of the door frame. When installed on a solid door in conjunction with a high quality deadbolt, such as the Kwikset Titan, it becomes virtually impossible to break-in using physical force.

I have an alarm system on my home. Won't that deter a burglar?

While some research shows that the presence of alarms and signs do deter a burglar from entering your home, even an inexperienced crook knows that the police response time to the alarm may be delayed. Nationally, the average police response time to a residential burglary alarm is 15 minutes. In the Kansas City metro area, many police departments have changed the way they respond to alarms due to the high volume of alarm calls which have increased dramatically in the last several years. In some places in the country, police departments are even going to something called "verified response." This means the police won't respond unless it can be verified that a crime is occurring or has occurred.

Having an alarm is part of a good overall security plan but it shouldn't be the only thing you rely on.

I have glass windows (also know as sidelights) next to my door. Won't burglars just break the glass to get in?

Generally burglars don't break glass as often as you might think. They often don't want to draw the attention from breaking glass or risk getting injured while entering ahome. Since most homes are easily entered by forcing doors open, glass breakage isn't very common when it comes to home burglary. If a homeowner is concerned about this occurring they can purchase laminated glass for the side windows. The window glass can still be broken but a special layer in or on the glass keeps the pieces intact and prevents a burglar from entering or reaching in. These windows however can be expensive to have installed.

I'm usually home at night. Isn't that when most burglaries occur?

Generally burglars will strike when the chances of being detected are low. When it comes to breaking into homes, doing so during the day is often the most opportune time. Nowadays with so many dual-income families, there is often no one home for 8 to 10 hours during the day. Coupled with the fact that many of your neighbors are also not home, empty neighborhoods are inviting targets. Unless you have a nosy or retired neighbor, the witness potential is very low during the day.

I have steel doors on my home. Isn't that enough?

A good quality door is essential but you need to reinforce the weakest part of most residential door systems - the door frame, also known as the jamb. Most often when a burglar uses force on a door, it is the door jamb that fails most often. Occasionally a burglar gets in when a poor quality deadbolt gives way. The installation of the JambBraceŽ product in conjunction with a high-quality deadbolt will greatly improve the strength of the door frame and consequently improve the security of the door.

Will reinforcing my doors hurt my homes appearance?

The JambBrace product is invisible from the outside of your home and is virtually invisible from the inside. Only the homeowner will know it is there.
It is also recommended that you install a door edge reinforcing guard with the JambBraceŽ product. The guard comes in polished or antique finishes to match your door hardware.

I have home owners insurance if I suffer a loss. Why do I need to keep criminals out?

While insurance may replace your stolen property, it can't replace your sense of well being and security. Stolen property recovery rates are not very high when it comes to easily fenced property such as jewelry or electronic equipment. Also, home owners insurance is often limited in how much cash is covered in a loss.

I own a gun. Surely that will keep a criminal out?

While a gun may protect you from an intruder, wouldn't it be better to keep them out of your home in the first place? Remember that neither Missouri or Kansas laws allow you to use deadly force in the protection of property. Also, criminals love to find weapons in homes they burglarize, they are easily sold or can be used in other crimes.

If you have any other questions, please contact Security Improvements for more information.