Woman's Locked Deadbolt Wasn't

[TexasGal]

Check your deadbolt installations on your doors. A young woman's home was easily broken into because the deadbolt on her door was not installed correctly. It did not allow the bolt to slide all the way to the fully extended point at which it would "lock". The slimebags easily slid it back using a flat tool.
The video shows how to double check your deadbolts to make sure they really are locking. Needless to say, the young woman in the story should consider learning to handle a gun to defend herself in the event the next guy just breaks the glass and she is home.

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2012/09/25/fron ... maybe-not/

[SATX-Scrub]

I don't think I'm the only one that just got up to check my deadbolts. Excellent FYI TexasGal!!!

[jimlongley]

Someone must have peeking over my shoulder at Home Depot. I don't know how many times I have demo'ed just that scenario, and not just to women.

Something they needed to add is to use three inch screws, or longer in the doorframe for the strike plate, and I personally replaced some of my strike plates with beefier ones. I was amazed, a couple of years ago, when this guy stood there and told me he was going to use 3/4 inch screws to mount the strikeplates in his doors because he didn't feel like taking the time to drill long holes.

The whole point of the long screws is to anchor the strikeplate, which is what the lock impinges on to lock the door, TO THE ACTUAL DOOR FRAME, not just to the decorative facing on the inside all the way into the actual structure. Otherwise all it takes is a good hard push to tear the strikeplate and all right out of the doorframe.

And check the length of throw of the deadbolt itself. If it's one of those that only moves 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch, REPLACE IT! Get a good, long throw, deadbolt. It doesn't matter which brand, just look for an inch or more penetration of the doorframe, and countersink the hole deep enough so the bolt throws all the way home.

[RPB]

When house is occupied, have at least 1 NON-KEY lock, not a chain or type which only screws into trim, but something like a flip lock

Reason I say non-key lock is bump keys. 15 years ago I wouldn't have posted this on a forum, but criminals already know it and so you should too ... criminals already know it as evidenced by
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_q ... 0K6U9JbAVU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.bumpkey.us/5-key-bump-key-se ... tAodwG8ATg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.bumpkey.us/what-is-a-bump-ke ... low_prices" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A flip lock isn't the absolute best solution to solve a weak door jamb installation, but it's better than nothing for under 3 dollars and not having to be a carpenter.
flip lock
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[SRH78]

Good looking out.

I don't have a lot of faith in locks keeping out a determined intruder but the longer, louder, & more difficult the process can be made, the better.

[johncanfield]

Exactly what I was going to say! All I expect out of a locked door is delay and noise.

[barstoolguru]

try this

http://www.safetybasement.com/Davie-Bar ... vb-100.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TexasGal]

At my house, they could break in if they really wanted to, but then they have to get past Jacob. Jacob is 85 lbs of GSD without any sense of humor at all when it comes to a stranger in his home uninvited. The sound he makes will raise the hair on your neck.