A window can feel like a vulnerable place, especially if it’s uncovered and anyone can see into it. As a result, homeowners have to do what they can to make sure criminals and nosy people don’t end up looking inside. However, with all of the different options out there for consumers to decide between, the best particular choices for your windows can be hard to find.
To make the right decision in the name of home security, both owners and renters alike should employ a combination of different methods, mixing direct security features with custom window shades that help the interior stay invisible to those on the outside.
Here are some ideas to help everyone in a house, apartment or living space feel safer at night:
- Be selective about where you keep valuables: If, for some reason, you can still see inside your window from outside even with a set of blinds or a window film, its time to take further precautions. Put anything that might be valuable away from the visible area and don’t give any burglars a reason to take a closer look at you. You could also put important possessions in a safe, but if so, try and keep that safe in another room. This could be a good idea even if you are already covering the windows.
- Double-check the fire escape: Fire escape windows are vital parts of building safety and need to be accessible if a dangerous fire breaks out. Unfortunately, they are also easy access routes for criminals in some cases, depending on how easy it is to move between different units. Make sure the window is accessible from both sides without being too easy to break into from without.
- Install window guards: In certain residences, putting barriers on a window could not only be desirable, but required by law. According to a document from the New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development, the property owner has to inform tenants about the window guards they use as long as there are three or more apartments in the same building. Residents are also able to ask for a window guard any time they want if they submit their request to the landlord in writing.
- Keep your windows up-to-date and fixed: This may go without saying, but a window that’s already broken is an obvious target for a thief. Worse still, it sends the message that you aren’t taking care of your home and probably don’t have high-security measures elsewhere. Check every window regularly and have it repaired often so you can rest assured that there aren’t undiscovered security flaws in your house.
- Pick a window film that does it all: One difficulty with using window coverings for security comes when residents feel like they have to completely block the light coming through in order to also deter burglars. With the right kind of window film applied to the glass, you can have it both ways, reducing visibility but not at the cost of illumination.
With the right kind of window film applied to the glass, you can have it both ways, reducing visibility but not at the cost of illumination.
- Screw down the windows: The Cleveland Plain Dealer advises residents to lock a window in place by screwing it down. Although it notes that a burglar is less likely to break through a window unless he or she absolutely has to, it’s still wise to secure one as much as you can to avoid the possibility of a break-in. Taking this simple precautionary step could prevent you from having to install any unnecessary, heavier measures later on.
Using blinds and shades in New Jersey is just a part of preventing breaking and entering, but it’s an important step all the same. Learn more about which window films offer the right protection by contacting Metropolitan Window Fashions today to set up an appointment for a free, at-home first consultation.