Always keep doors and windows locked--even a five- minute trip to the store is long enough for a burglar to enter your home.

Use quality keyed knobs as well as deadbolts--deadbolts can withstand the twisting, turning, prying, and pounding that regular keyed knobs can't.

When choosing a deadbolt, look for such features as a bolt that extends at least one inch when in the locked positon, to resist ramming and kicking; hardened steel inserts to prevent the bolt from being sawed off, and a reinforced strike plate with extra long mounting screws to anchor the lock effectively.

Most deadbolts are single-cylinder; they operate from the outside with a key and from the inside with thumb latches.

Double-cylinder deadbolts require a key to open the lock from both outside and inside your home.  These locks are especially effective for doors with glass within 40 inches of the lock--an intruder cannot break the glass and unlock the door by reaching through.

Some jurisdictions do not allow these locks  --  check with your local law enforcement or building code authorities before installing a double cylinder deadbolt.ome . 

As one alternative, security glazing can be applied to glass panels in or near the door, or shatterproof glass can be installed, though these options can be expensive.

** Tips provided by the National Crime Prevention Council and the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office  -  Crime Prevention Unit