This list was produced and distributed by THE NATIONAL SHERIFFS’ ASSOCIATION in cooperation with your local law enforcement agency.
FRONT ENTRANCE
Is door itself of metal or solid wood construction?
Is doorframe strong enough and tight enough to prevent forcing or spreading?
Are door hinges protected from removal from outside?
Are there windows in the door or within 40 inches of the locks?
Is the door secured by a deadbolt lock with a minimum 1-inch throw?
Are strikes and strike plates adequate and properly installed with 3-inch screws?
If there are no windows in door, is there a wide-angle viewer or voice intercom device?
Can the lock mechanism be reached through a mail slot, delivery port or pet entrance at doorway?
Is there a screen or storm door with an adequate lock?
Is exterior or front entrance lighted with at least a 40-watt light?
Can front entrance be observed from street or public areas?
Does porch or landscaping offer concealment from view from street or public areas?
SIDE OR REAR ENTRANCE
Is door itself of metal or solid wood construction?
Is doorframe strong enough and tight enough to prevent forcing or spreading?
Are door hinges protected from removal from outside?
Are there windows in the door or within 40 inches of the locks?
Is door secured by a deadbolt lock with a minimum 1-inch throw?
Are strikes and strike plates adequate and properly installed with 3-inch screws?
SIDE OR REAR ENTRANCE
Can the lock mechanism be reached from outside through a delivery port or pet entrance?
Is the exterior of the doorway lighted by at least a 40-watt bulb?
Is doorway concealed from street or neighbors view by porch, fence, or landscaping?
Does doorway have screen or storm door with adequate lock?
If door is sliding glass door, is the sliding panel secured from being lifted out of the track?
Is a “charley-bar” or key-operated lock used on sliding glass door?
ENTRANCES FROM GARAGE AND BASEMENT
Are all entrances to living quarters from garage and basement of metal or solid wood construction?
Does door from garage to living quarters have locks adequate for exterior entrance?
Does door from basement to living quarters have an adequate lock operated from living quarters side?
GROUND FLOOR WINDOWS
Do all windows have adequate locks in operating condition?
Do windows have screens or storm windows that lock from the inside?
Do any windows open onto areas that offer special risk to burglary?
If so, do these windows have security screens or grills?
Are exterior areas of windows free from concealing structure or landscaping?
Is exterior adequately lighted at all window areas?
UPPER FLOOR WINDOWS
Do any upper floor windows open onto porch or garage roofs or roofs of adjoining buildings?
If so, are they secured as adequately as if they were at ground level?
Are trees and shrubbery kept trimmed back from upper floor windows?
Are ladders kept outside the house where they are accessible?
BASEMENT DOORS AND WINDOWS
Is there a door from outside to the basement?
If so, is that door adequately secured for an exterior door?
Is outside basement entrance lighted by exterior light of at least 40 watts?
Is outside basement door concealed from street or neighbors?
Are all basement windows adequately secured against entrance?
GARAGE DOORS AND WINDOWS
Is automobile entrance door to garage equipped with adequate locking device?
Is garage door kept closed and locked at all times?
Are garage windows secured adequately for ground floor windows?
Is outside utility entrance to garage as secure as required for any ground floor
entrance?
Are tools, ladders and other equipment kept in garage?
Are all garage doors lighted on the outside by at least a 40-watt bulb?
