![Simple DIY Project Under $3 Makes For Easy and Cheap Home Security Upgrade](http://townsquare.media/site/72/files/2022/09/attachment-Copy-of-Copy-of-Untitled-Design-16.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
Simple DIY Project Under $3 Makes For Easy and Cheap Home Security Upgrade
Whether you rent or own and whether you live in a house or an apartment, your home should be your sanctuary. You can make your home a little safer with a simple DIY for less than $3.
How Secure Is Your Front Door?
If you're like me, it is second nature to lock the door behind you when you come home at the end of a long day, but have you ever wondered how secure your door actually is? If your door hardware was installed with the factory screws like those pictured below, it may not be very secure at all.
Tiny Little Screws
Have you ever seen the screws that come with a door handle/lock kit? They are tiny! We're talking short and stubby little things. They definitely don't provide much grip to hold the metal plate, known as a strike, to the door frame.
![My WJLT 105.3 logo](https://townsquare.media/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/WJLTFM.png?w=100)
An Easy - and Cheap - Swap
The good news is that you can swap out the screws that fasten the strike and it is a relatively cheap and easy DIY project. All you need are four 4-inch screws and a drill. A package of 2 screws like the one pictured below costs under $1.50 a pack. So for less than $3 you can reinforce your front door by using the drill to back the old, short screws out and then replace them with longer screws.
Why Longer Screws?
This is something that we did when my daughter moved into her first apartment. It is also something that I did after I bought my home. The reason for using longer screws is that it gives a much stronger and more secure attachment to the house making it harder for a would-be criminal to kick in the door. Will it keep an intruder out completely? Let's be honest here, probably not. However, it will likely make them have to work much harder to get in, and that extra time could make all the difference in keeping yourself safe. Watch the video below to learn more.
Historic cities: 10 metros with the oldest homes
More From My WJLT 105.3
![Find Out Why Kentucky Ranks as One of the Safest States in America for Online Dating](http://townsquare.media/site/782/files/2024/03/attachment-KY-online-dating.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office Offers Tips for Eclipse Viewers](http://townsquare.media/site/72/files/2024/03/attachment-Eclipse-Safety-Tips.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![This Indiana College Has Been Named the Safest in America](http://townsquare.media/site/782/files/2024/03/attachment-Safest-college1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Here’s What to Do If You Hear One of These Emergency Codes at an Indiana Walmart](http://townsquare.media/site/782/files/2023/12/attachment-Walmart-codes-featured.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Vanderburgh County Sheriff Shares Fall Festival Volunteer Safety Tips](http://townsquare.media/site/782/files/2023/09/attachment-PHOTO-EPD-cANVA.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![VIDEO: Drama at St. Louis Zoo as Squirrel Mom Tries to Save Baby](http://townsquare.media/site/462/files/2023/09/attachment-st-louis-zoo-squirrels-drama.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
![Hot Wheels: Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in Illinois – Is Yours on the List?](http://townsquare.media/site/72/files/2023/08/attachment-Copy-of-Untitled-Design-27.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Beachbound This Summer? Know the Flag Colors and Rip Current Safety Tips](http://townsquare.media/site/72/files/2021/07/attachment-210158641_802748140384564_2171954347434582573_n.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Water Safety Tips: Stay Safe on Memorial Day Weekend and Throughout the Summe](http://townsquare.media/site/72/files/2023/05/attachment-Copy-of-Untitled-Design-12.jpg?w=980&q=75)