HOW TO BURGLAR-PROOF YOUR WINDOWS

Many burglars enter homes by simply breaking glass windows.  
A good deterrent is to have better quality glass installed 
at vulnerable points around the perimeter of your residence.  
Most burglars avoid attempting to break the following types 
of glass due to the fear of attracting attention:

LAMINATED GLASS is made by a vinyl or plastic interlayer 
sandwiched between two layers of glass.  This type of glass 
adds additional strength to your windows.  To gain entry, 
a burglar would have to strike the glass repeatedly in the 
same spot in order to make a small opening.  Most burglars 
are reluctant to create this type of noise for fear of being 
detected.

TEMPERED GLASS is made by placing a piece of regular glass 
in an oven, bringing it almost to the melting point, and 
then chilling it rapidly.  This causes a skin to form around 
the glass.  Fully tempered glass is four to five times stronger 
than regular glass.

WIRED GLASS adds the benefit of a visible deterrent.  Extra 
effort will be needed to break the glass and then cut through 
the wire located within the glass, in order to gain entry.

PLASTICS:  Plastic material is divided into two types : 
acrylic or polycarbonate.  The acrylics are more than ten 
times stronger than glass of the same thickness and are 
commonly called plexiglass.  Polycarbonate sheets are 
superior to acrylics and are advertised as 250 times more 
impact resistant than safety glass, and 20 more times 
than other transparent plastic.

With SLIDING WINDOWS the primary objective is to keep 
the window from sliding or being lifted up and out of 
the track.  There are many manufactured products available 
for securing windows.  Here are some of the suggestions:

PINNED WINDOW ANTI-SLIDE BLOCK SLIDEBOLT:  It is not 
recommended that you lock a window in a ventilated position.  
This is an invitation to a prying action which can result 
in entry.  Key locking devices offer no real security, and 
they can be a fire exit hazard.

CASEMENT WINDOWS are the simplest to secure.  Make sure 
the latch works properly and that the "operator" has no 
excess play.  If so, replace the worn hardware.

DOUBLE HUNG WINDOW latches may be jimmied open.  If a window 
is not used, screw it shut (except bedrooms).  For windows 
in use, drill a sloping hole into the top of the bottom 
window, through and into the bottom of the top window, 
and insert an easily removable pin or nail.

LOUVRE WINDOWS are bad security risks.  Remove and replace 
with solid glass or other type of ventilating window.  Or 
protect with a grate or grille (except bedrooms).

WARNING:  One window in every bedroom on the ground and 
second floor must be left available as a fire exit, 
particularly for children and guests in your home.  
At night, the bedroom window may often be the quickest 
and safest means of getting out.  Because of the danger 
of fire, decorative grilles are not recommended on 
bedroom windows.