Exterior doors: Make sure that they all have a good deadbolt lock which has at least a 1-1/2 inch throw. A lock-in-handle system is not adequate and can be easily defeated. Make sure that all locks are in good working order. Check the screws that secure the strike plate to the door facing. Most will be ΒΌ-inch screws and should be replaced with 3-inch screws which will go through the soft wood of the door facing and into the stud. This will make it much more difficult to force the door open. In addition, attempting to do so will create noise which will deter the burglar.Window locks: Most older homes have windows that slide up and down and have only a thumb slide lock above the lower window. Make sure that the windows are fixed so that they can only be opened about 10 inches or so. This can be accomplished by measuring about 10 inches up the sides above the closed window and putting a wood screw on both sides, leaving them sticking out far enough that when the window is raised, it will hit the screws and not go up any higher.
Sliding patio doors: The doors are usually secured by placing a stick in the track which doesn’t allow it to slide open. This will not keep the door from being forced straight up, allowing it to swing free from the bottom track. The door should have a hole drilled through the top track and into the door. A pin can be placed in the hole, which will not allow the door to be moved back and forth or up into the track. Sliding windows should be secured in the same fashion.