We use glass in our homes because it lets light in and gives us a clear view of the outside, but there’s no denying that glass poses security and safety risks. For one thing, it’s breakable, which makes it easy for intruders to get through. Plus, when it breaks by accident, it creates a lot of shards and bits that can be dangerous to anyone who touches them. For these reasons, it’s a good idea to take certain steps to make sure your glass doors and windows stay secure and keep your family safe. Here are some things to keep in mind.


1. Use shatterproof glass: Surprisingly, shatterproof glass is not standard in the home construction industry, mainly because it’s more expensive and, in some people’s minds, not as attractive as regular glass. To make your home more secure, consider installing double-paned, shatterproof glass in any windows that may be accessible from the outside. Also make sure that any glass doors are made of unbreakable material.

2. Install bars over first-floor windows: Metal bars over windows are usually reserved for inner-city neighborhoods where there is a relatively high crime risk. But the fact is that break-ins can happen anywhere, and if you want to be as secure as possible, it can’t hurt to install some metal guards on any windows that are easily accessible from the outside. They don’t have to be those narrow, prison-like bars that you see on some buildings. There are many different designs you can use, including some highly decorative ones that are actually quite attractive.

3. Use casement windows: Casement windows are opened from the inside by a crank, and they’re easy to lock. Unlike standard windows, they can’t be simply pushed up from the outside any time they’re unlocked.

4. Use a blocker on sliding doors: Sliding doors do lock, but their locks clearly aren’t as robust as the types of latches and bolts that we usually have on our front doors. To make your sliding door extra secure, find a nice, thick piece of wood and insert it into the sliding door’s track.

5. Use alarms and decals: Finally, you might be surprised by how effective it is simply to have security decals on your windows indicating that you have an automatic security device installed. Of course, having decals on their own can have a great effect, but it’s not nearly as good as having an actual alarm system. If you have glass doors and windows that you’re worried about, consider outfitting them with alarms.