In our last blog post, we discussed the topic of home invasions, how likely they are, and ways to prevent them from happening to you. You can read that article here. Over the next couple of months we will discuss various technologies that are available for you to leverage that can help you avoid becoming a victim even more.
Many homeowners go to great lengths to fortify the exterior doors of their homes as a security measure. They will do things such as ensuring the doors open in, rather than out, to prevent the door hinges from being exposed. Another security measure seen quite often is the use of extra long screws to secure the strike plate to the door frame. This is helpful in making the door a little less easy to bash in with brute force. Another measure is to install pins (screws, bolts, etc.) in the hinged side of the door jam that engage with holes drilled in the door that also make the door less easy to bash in with force. These are all very good measures to fortify the entry points of your home or business. There is, however, another excellent method that many people don’t even know about – window security and safety film.
Thousands and thousands of homes across the US have exterior doors that are beautified with glass inserts, side lights, or windows that are at an arms length from the door knob and dead bolt thumb turn. Fortifying your door in ways similar to the methods described above are useless if a pane of glass can simply be smashed and the locks can be easily accessed by reaching in. This is where security film can be your friend.
There are numerous brands and types that are available in various thicknesses. Surprisingly, the thickness of the film doesn’t necessarily determine its effectiveness, so don’t be fooled by the number of mils of the film you choose. It is more about the chemical make-up of the film. Residential applications typically call for 4 mils to 8 mils or more. In the research I conducted prior to having security film installed on my windows, I found the 3M Security and Safety Film product superior to most of the other brands out there. I also found it surprisingly very affordable. I opted for their Prestige Series of film, which not only can provide the security we are talking about, but also filteration of harmful UV rays that can fade furniture and cause hot spots in the home.
Living in the Columbia, SC metropolitan area, I shopped around for a local 3M Security Film dealer that offered excellent service for a great price. That company is Mr. Tint. I was more than impressed with everything about this company; their price, their sales staff, and their installers. You would be amazed how affordable such a security enhancement can actually be. Mr. Tint offers numerous options for residential and commercial applications depending on what it is you are trying to accomplish. Mr. Tint services the Columbia Metro and Charleston Metro areas as well as Sumter and Aiken, and and can be reached at 803-599-2985. If you are not in South Carolina, do yourself a favor and find a distributor of the 3M products. They are fantastic.
I’ll close with this. More and more homes are being outfitted with home automation systems and devices. Door locks are one of the more popular items as you know. I have scoured the marketplace looking for a double cylinder option in a smart lock (key hole on both sides). They simply don’t exist. This means that a burglar can reach in through a broken window and simply unlock your smart lock. Not very smart is it? If this is your configuration, please consider properly securing your home with security film on the surrounding glass. Your family deserves it and is counting on you to keep them safe.
Keep the conversation going by commenting your thoughts.
Be Safe,
– Joe Shahoud
Don’t miss our upcoming CWP classes – one on March 7th and the other April 18th. Also, contact us to have us come speak at your next team meeting, community or church meeting about how to avoid becoming a victim.
Joe Shahoud is the owner and lead instructor at Safe Family Defense LLC, a firearms training academy that serves the greater Columbia, SC area specializing in pistol, concealed weapons permits, and general education in personal safety.
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