The weak link in your security setup Part 3: Window Air conditioners

Nothing beats the cool comfort of an air conditioner on a hot summer night. You can plug it on and instantly be transferred to a different climate zone. But hey, spare a thought for the home security, for the window air conditioner might just be the weakest link in your security setup.

‘Did you just say the ‘weakest link’? The air conditioner? How is that possible? My air conditioner is on the second floor. How would a thief gain access to it from the outside and even if he does, how can he move it? It weighs a ton’

Does that sound like you? If yes, then like most people, you are terribly underestimating the abilities of a burglar and also the tools available to him. Irrespective of where your air conditioner is situated, it can easily be accessed via a whole range of tools that burglars use. There are burglars who climb even up to the 15^th floor of high rises to break into a home. The second floor should be a cinch.

Most people secure the window air conditioner from the outside and leave it as it is from the inside. The result is that any thief or burglar can easily push it inside and then use the opening to enter your home. And, the worst part is that no security system integrates the window air conditioner into the alarm system. I mean, most people are unaware that it can be used to enter the house.  So how does one secure the window air conditioner to prevent access to the home?

Securing your window air conditioner

There are kits available in the market that allows you to secure the window air conditioner from both the outside as well as the inside. You can securely screw the air conditioner to the wall thereby preventing anybody from removing it or moving it from outside the house. The window air conditioner kit is relatively inexpensive and can guarantee you that no burglar can enter your home without tripping an alarm. Another thing that you would want to ensure is that the window cannot be raised above the air conditioner. This is another technique used by burglars to gain access to a home. If you have a wooden window then you can always install a wood screw into the stile at the top of the raised window. You can enhance the security level by using tempered glass.

So you see, there are aspects to the security of your home that you previously must not have even thought of.