Marion County Oregon - Home Security Checklist

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Home Security Checklist

To protect your home from intruders, make sure that...

All exterior doors and their frames are strong enough to withstand excessive force. Ideally, that means they are made of solid wood (not hollow), or metal. Thin panels and glass panes can be broken. Panels can be reinforced with 3/4" plywood; glass can be reinforced with security film. Doors should fit frames snugly.

All hinged exterior doors are secured with single cylinder deadbolt locks, with a minimum 1" throw. That means the bolt sticks out 1" beyond the edge of the door. The bolt enters a strike plate that should be held in place by 4 screws. The screws should reach beyond the trim, to connect with the stud in the wall. Do not rely on chain latches - they will not keep out an intruder.

Hinges accessible from the outside are pinned to prevent removal.

Basement windows and doors have extra protection, such as steel mesh or metal pipes.

Wide angle viewers are installed in all solid exterior doors.

Sliding glass doors and windows have anti-lift and anti-slide devices installed.

Garage doors are secured.

Panes in louvered windows are epoxied in place.

Double-hung (sash) windows are secured with pins or extra latches to discourage prying.

Basement windows work properly, without excess play.

Trees and shrubs are trimmed away from your doors and windows.

Property is marked and listed, to discourage burglars and improve recovery rates. Engrave property with your Oregon drivers license number in this manner: OR123456DL. If you don't have a license, use your state ID card number: OR123456ID.

All entrances are lit at night. The yard in general is evenly lit, ideally with motion response lights.

All openings into the home - including skylights, crawl spaces, vents and pet doors are protected.

The address is posted clearly on the house in a contrasting color, and is clearly visible night and day.

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