How to Secure a Door After a Break-In

Purchase a steel door for the front entrance of your home. Steel doors are stronger than those made of wood and are difficult to break down by kicking. Avoid purchasing a door with windows, as this can allow burglars to enter your home with ease.

Install a heavy-duty strike plate in the frame of the door to prevent the door from being kicked in. A flimsy strike plate is easy to kick free after a few kicks. Choose a large strike plate that is held in place with four 3-inch screws.

Select door hardware, such as a dead bolt and a lock, that is heavy-duty and durable. Often, these products will be among the most expensive options available, but they are important to buy to help secure your home. Look for a dead bolt, for example, with a solid bolt at least 1 inch in length.

Invest in heavy-duty hinges that are held in place by four 3-inch screws. If a burglar cannot kick the door in around the handle and lock, he may resort to trying to knock it off the hinges. Industrial-strength hinges will not cave in under a human's pressure.

Mount a peephole that has a wide viewing angle in your door. Some peepholes only show you what's directly in front of you. Pick one that allows you to see as close to 180 degrees as possible.