Most home security advice focuses on the front door. But the front door is usually the most secure entry point in a Bendigo home. Burglars know this and almost always come in through windows or sliding doors, both of which are often barely locked.
The window problem
Standard aluminium-framed windows from the 80s and 90s rely on a small latch that engages a notch on the frame. After 30 years of use, the latch is loose, the notch is worn, and the window can be pushed open from outside with steady pressure. Even brand new windows often have weaker latches than you'd expect.
Window restrictors and locks
The cheap fix is a window restrictor - a small mechanism that limits how far the window can open. Useful for ventilation while still preventing entry. Cost $15-$40 per window for parts, $100-$200 fitted across a typical home.
Better is a keyed window lock. The window can be fully secured with a key in seconds. Cost $25-$60 per window for parts, $200-$400 fitted across a typical home.
The sliding door problem
Sliding glass doors are particularly weak. The standard locking mechanism is a flimsy hook that's been worn smooth over years of use. Even when 'locked,' the door can often be lifted up out of its track and removed entirely.
Sliding door bars and pins
The simplest fix is a length of timber or metal in the track. Total cost: $5 at Bunnings. Stops the door from sliding open. Looks daggy but works.
Slightly better is a proper sliding door lock - a key-operated bolt that secures the door panel to the frame. Cost $80-$150 fitted.
Best is an anti-lift pin that screws into the top track and prevents the door from being lifted out. Combined with a quality sliding door lock, this stops most attempts. Cost about $150-$250 fitted for both.
What this is actually worth
Around 60% of residential break-ins in Australia come through windows or sliding doors. Spending $300-$600 to upgrade window and sliding door locks does more for your home security than spending $1,000 on the fanciest front door deadbolt. It's also one of the few security upgrades that visibly deters opportunistic burglars, who can see the locks from outside.