Learn to install a chain door lock and secure your home here.
Homes are burglarized today at an alarming rate! At least one residential property is entered illegally every eight seconds in the United States each day, accounting for more than 6 million burglaries each year! Contrary to popular thought, nearly half of all robberies occur with little or no force and take place in less than 60 seconds. Studies show that most burglars enter homes, apartment complexes and other residential buildings with relative ease through unlocked front doors, windows, and garages and entryways with insufficient lock protection.
LOCKS
One of the biggest deterrents for a prowler is adequate door and window locks. Most experts agree that a combination of door handle locks, dead bolt systems, and chain locks are the best way to keep you and your family safe while inside your home or away from it. By using a series of lock protection systems, you can keep even the most seasoned criminals at bay.
CHAIN LOCKS
One of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to keep your home and family safe from outside forces is to add a chain lock to all entry points of your home. There are several types of chain locking systems available today including:
BASIC CHAIN LOCK UNIT which mounts to both the interior of your door and an interior wall. Basic units work well to secure your home and allow children and others to crack open the door when strangers knock, rather than fully opening the doorway to your home. Basic chain lock units work well with wooden or metal doors.
KEYED CHAIN LOCK UNITS and GUARDS, which lock from the inside or outside with a key, giving you extra security when you're at home or away from home. The keyed chain lock units are perfect for wood, metal, or fiberglass doors.
CHAINED DOORGUARD with BOLT LOCK, which is a combination chain lock and dead bolt lock, giving homeowners the ultimate in protection! A metal bolt slides into the chain to not only chain your door, but dead bolt it as well. These locks are virtually tamper-proof and provide a maximum amount of lock protection for wooden or metal doors.
HOW TO INSTALL A CHAIN LOCK
The actual installation of a basic non-keyed chain lock on a wooden door can be completed with relative ease in under an hour. While it's entirely possible to hire a locksmith to complete the task for you, installing a basic door chain lock can be done by almost anyone, saving you both time and money.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
Drill
Drill bit set
Screwdriver
Masking tape
Marking pencil
NOTE ABOUT DOOR MATERIAL
If your exterior door is made of wood, installing a chain lock will be a simple process. If you have a door made from steel or fiberglass, you will require special drill bits and extra tools. See your lock manufacturers instructions for more information.
STEPS
1. Shop for your new lock. Most hardware stores, superstores, and locksmiths carry a wide variety of chain locks. If you need assistance, find it before bringing the lock home.
2. Remove the chain lock from its package and thoroughly read the instructions. (While this guide will give you specific step-by-step direction, some locks require added steps be taken during the installation process.)
3. It's time to mark the door using the template provided by the lock's manufacturer. You'll be placing the paper template on the door's interior, approximately 3-6 inches above your existing dead bolt or handle lock. (If you have small children who routinely answer the door, place the lock at least 3-inches below the door handle for easy access.) For ease in marking, tape the paper template onto the door with a small amount of masking tape. Use a pencil and mark all points indicated by the template. (This will usually consist of 2-4 holes.)
4. Drill. Grab your safety glasses and using the drill bit recommended by your lock manufacturer, drill your holes into the door. (You may wish to use a level or similar device to guaranty adequate positioning.)
5. Screw on the lock plate. Using extra long wood screws, attach the lock plate (this is the hardware that does not contain the chain.) to the interior side of the door.
6. Measure the chain mount. Your chain mount will also come with a template. Line up to the interior wall just outside the door frame. Use masking tape to position the template on the wall to ensure proper marking.
7. Test. Before drilling your holes and added the chain and bit, you'll want to test the chain mount first. You can do this by firmly holding the mount against the wall and stringing the chain to your lock plate you've already installed. Try opening and closing the door, paying careful attention to detail. The door should open no more than 1-inch when the chain is securely fastened. This will guarantee that the lock will not be able to be opened by someone standing on the exterior side of the door. When you are satisfied, continue.
8. Drill. Put your safety goggles back on and using the drill bit recommended by the lock's manufacturer, drill your holes into your interior wall.
9. Attach the chain mount. Using extra long mounting screws, screw your chain mount into place.
10. Test. Open and close your door several times with the chain lock in place. Again, the door should open a maximum of 1-inch to provide utmost protection. If you have small children, have them open and close the door themselves to make sure they are able to successfully operate the lock.
TIPS AND TRICKS
USING extra longs screws will prohibit burglars and others from being able to rip the chain from the door. It is often necessary to purchase these separately.
PLACING a metal reinforcement plate on interior walls of questionable strength is always recommended.
USE locking screws when installing the chain mount to the wall for added security.
INSTRUCT children never to unlock the chain for strangers and how to operate the chain lock properly.
TAMPER proof chain door guards, which have an added hook to keep the chain tight, can be purchased separately and mounted to your existing chain lock.
ADDED HOME SECURITY TIPS
ALWAYS lock windows and doors when leaving your home or apartment, even if you'll only be out for a short while. Eighty-percent of all break-ins are through the front door. It doesn't matter how much money you invest in home security if you fail to lock the door!
DO NOT hide-a-key anywhere near your home. Burglars often check under doormats, in flower pots, and over the door's ledge for hidden keys. If you must have an extra key out for emergencies, leave it with a trusted neighbor or landlord.
LOCK all doors which provide an outside to inside entryway point to your home. This includes patio doors, second-story doors, cellar doors, back doors, and garage doors.
ADD extra lighting to the exterior of your home or turn on outside lights. Thieves do not commonly rob areas surrounded in bright light.
JOIN a Neighborhood Watch Program in your neighborhood.
NEVER leave ladders or similar items outside your home.
USE time lighting while you're away for extended periods of time to give the appearance that someone is home.
DOORS with low visibility from the street or from neighbors are frequent targets. Trim bushes, shrubs, and plants away from windows and doors.
