Steel Window Bars are Not Your Answer to Security

Author: johncherrylp | Posted: 30.06.2012

Window bars are often seen on basement windows of structures that are located in high-crime areas. They are meant to keep burglars from getting inside these buildings by making sure that even if they break the glass, they do not have space enough between the bars to slip inside. The use of steel window bars was a standard precaution against crime before home security systems became more mainstream. Now that the technology has advanced to the point where home security systems are affordable for just about everyone, window bars are becoming a thing of the past.

There is another reason why people are choosing home security systems over steel window bars for their home security needs. While steel bars are meant to keep burglars out, they are also going to keep people in. This is a very bad idea if there is an emergency situation inside the house and the occupants need to get out quickly. The steel bars have to be locked from the inside and if a person in the house does not know how to unlock them or is physically unable to unlock them, the rescue will take longer than it should.

For this reason, it is much better to consider alternatives to steel window bars in terms of home security. Here are some ideas.

1. Install a secutiy system that is also equipped with smoke detectors, fire detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. The system should be monitored so that the police and fire departments will be notified in the event of an emergency.

2. Mount surveillance cameras at various points around your home that you can monitor remotely.

3. Rather than put bars over your doors, install a fireproof door that will allow firefighters to break down the door with a battering ram instead if sawing through the bars.

4. Put window security film over your windows instead of bars. This will keep the burglars from breaking the glass

If you insist on installing bars over your windows, there are specific codes that apply to them. They must have a quick release system on them that will allow people inside the building to kick the bars out quickly in the event of an emergency. Bars still aren’t the best idea anymore, especially since there are so many other alternatives out there. However, if they are your only security system you have, they are better than nothing.

About Author:
John is a shrewd consumer who writes about personal finance, home technology and home security topics like: Oxnard home security and Minneapolis/St. Paul security systems.

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