12 Old-School Door & Window Tricks a Retired Locksmith Swears By (They Cost Almost Nothing)

Forty years as a small-town maintenance man and locksmith taught me this: most doors don't fail at the lock. They fail at a few cheap little details nobody ever told you about. Here are twelve forgotten door and window tricks the old-timers never skipped, including the piece of hardware that costs about the same as a cup of coffee and does more than the fancy lock you paid for. CHAPTERS 0:00 The hardware that costs a cup of coffee 0:17 Forty years at other people's doors 1:15 The countdown (and what's coming at #2 and #1) 1:48 #12 — Keys with a Number, Not an Address 3:25 #11 — The Ladder Goes in the Shed 5:04 #10 — A Pin in the Window Sash 6:43 #9 — The Peephole at Eye Level 8:19 #8 — A Rubber Wedge Under the Door 9:51 #7 — The Garage Door Habits 11:20 #6 — The Basement Windows Nobody Thinks About 12:49 #5 — Change the Locks When You Move In 14:18 #4 — Long Screws in the Hinges 15:44 #3 — A Plain Deadbolt with a Long Throw 17:18 #2 — Three-Inch Screws in the Strike Plate 19:06 #1 — Your Right to Say No at the Door 20:47 Your homework Missed the first one? Watch "10 Forgotten Home Safety Habits Only Older Folks Still Remember" next. TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS Where are you watching from? And which of these twelve did you not know about — which one are you doing first? I read every one. Hit subscribe so you can find your way back. More old-school know-how coming. A NOTE ON THIS VIDEO This is general home safety information based on common-sense household habits, not professional advice. For anything involving your locks, doors, windows, electrical or fire safety, ask a licensed professional or your local fire department. Never fasten down or bar a window in a room where anyone sleeps: it has to open quickly from the inside in an emergency.