Safety & Security Tip #3

Today was inspired by a special request. One of you asked about door locks. I thought, "I can't talk about locks without talking about doors". Not all doors are created equally. You need to understand their strengths and weaknesses before we can start addressing the challenges and advantages that they all have. We need to look at our doors. I have included the four most popular in and around Paloma Creek.

Door #1 - This is the "PC Special". You would think they gave them away with houses. We have sacrificed safety and security for aesthetics. They are beautiful and let in light, but they don't conceal much. :/ No peephole needed!

Door #2 - This is a better option. Once again, people can see through it.

Door #3 - This is the worst setup!!! Do you see the windows on each side? These are rarely fortified. They are easy to kick or punch out, making it simple to reach in and let myself in.

Door #4 - It is the best, but it should be closed. ;) You always want a steel or solid wood door. Due to the humidity, steel is often easier to work with. Wood will also dry with age, making it easier to break down. You don't have to worry about that as much with a steel frame and door. The problem here is visibility. Thanks to modern technology, we can use cameras, but there often isn't a replacement for an old fashioned peephole. I prefer this setup, with peepholes at two levels, and a camera doorbell.

Your glass needs to be frosted and/or impact resistant. We will cover the tedious task of how to DIY that later.