​How secure is the front door of your home? This is a good question to ask yourself because it may not be as safe as it should be. For example, would it be easy to break into? To give you an idea of the types of safety features an exterior door should have, here are some recommendations:
 
The door itself should be solid with a solid wood or steel core. A lightweight door that has a wooden hollow-core construction would be a lot easier to breakthrough. Its also important to make sure the door and surrounding framework are in good condition and not suffering from deterioration in the form of rotting, cracking, or warping.
 
Naturally, the doors lock plays a crucial role in how secure it is. It should be fitted with a good quality deadbolt lock. You might also want to think about a bump-resistant lock as bump keys are commonly used by thieves nowadays. A door chain can be used as an extra security measure but never as a substitute for the deadbolt lock. A peephole is another good option as it lets you see who is at the door before opening it.
 
If the front door has glass paneling in it make sure the lock is as far away from the glass as possible so that if the glass were smashed, it would be harder to reach.
 
Occasionally a door will have a mail slot in it. In this case, there should always be some type of cage or box surrounding the slot on the inside of the door. If not, it may be easier for someone to access the lock from the inside through the mail slot.
 
These are just a few ideas to show the type of characteristics a secure front door should have.

​For most people, the thought of thousands of tiny creatures living in their home is horrifying. However, dust mites, which are tiny and abundant, are found in the majority of homes. So, should this concern you?
 
Dust mites are generally thought to be harmless and do not cause any issues. For some people, though, they can trigger allergic reactions and cause misery, leading many to look for ways to get rid of them. If you are looking for a way to eliminate dust mites you may want to consider the following methods before you resort to a chemical approach.
 
Regularly dust and vacuum the home. When dusting use a damp cloth which will help to prevent spreading the dust from one surface to another, then vacuum. Include all textiles and soft furnishings as well as the floors. A vacuum with a HEPA filter will be the most effective as this helps to stop the redistribution of dust back into the air.
 
Dust mites love humid conditions so do your best to reduce humidity in the home. Air conditioners and electric blankets are a couple of ways you can do this.
 
You may wonder whether air purifiers would work to reduce dust mite numbers. Air purifiers are good for those who suffer from allergies and will help to lessen the number of dust mites in the air but, because dust mites are not usually airborne, it will not eliminate them completely. If you are looking to purchase an air purifier, make sure you choose one with a HEPA filter.
 
Bed linens are one area where dust mites thrive. If you want to get rid of them from bedding you need to wash it at a high temperature, no less than 140 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also place your bedding in the tumble dryer for 10 minutes on high and this will kill them as well.
 
So, if you are worried about dust mites in your home, try these simple tips which should help to reduce their numbers.