Locks for sliding glass doors
Here in Cary, NC most homes, condos and apartments have a sliding glass door. This door usually opens out to a balcony, patio or back yard and often affords views of everything from a golf course to a neighboring building or even a parking lot! Ease of access is provided by this sliding door of glass as it opens wide enough to allow people, pets and furniture to come and go easily and at will.
As useful as these doors are, they can also be somewhat of a security problem. For one thing, the glass doors are almost always on the side or back of the property; out of view from the street. This gives crooks a little privacy to work at getting into your home or business as fewer eyes are on them from the back. Secondly, the large opening the glass door makes when it’s open is perfect for removing furniture, large screen televisions and other items of value.
What good is a lock?
Here at Cary Locksmith we are often asked “what good are locks on the sliding glass doors? All the burglar has to do is smash the glass!” While this point is well-taken, it is also not too likely. Smashed glass makes a lot of noise, and unless you live out in the “boonies” someone is bound to hear an unusual sound like that and either investigate, or call the police. In Cary, NC we have medium to high density living and working conditions that would allow people close by to notice and report such an incident.
Another deterrent to smashing your way through a sliding glass door is the possibility of injury. Shattered glass is sharp and it cuts easily. All it takes is an artery to be cut and death can follow rather quickly. Plus, blood left behind and trails of it are often tell-tale signs of just who was the culprit behind the break-in.
For locks to work you have to use them!
It kind of goes without saying, but for your sliding glass door to be and remain safe, you must use the lock on it! A vast percentage of illegal home break-ins happen when the door is either closed or open and UNLOCKED! Being lazy or forgetful is really no excuse as burglars know that many people simply won’t bother locking the door, so they are able to enter easily and very quietly. Bear in mind that simply locking your back or side sliding glass door will not guarantee safety, but it helps! The locks that are already on these doors will keep out some burglars but not all of them. For a higher degree of home or business security be sure and add a second lock to your sliding glass door and use it! Make the practice of locking your front AND back doors habit forming; it may just help you fend off an incident!
