While I’m writing about securing your doors and pet doors, you might think about your windows too.  Basement and ground-floor windows should be secured.  How?  Well, if you don’t want to open them, they should be screwed shut–3″ screws will do.  If you will want to open them, there are fasteners that can be used to limit how high they can be raised. If you use these fasteners, install them so that the limit is about 3-4 inches.  But be sure you get the kind of fasteners that will let you open the windows all the way in an emergency.  They are cheap and easy to get.

If you have a multi-story home, consider carefully what to do about your 2nd story windows.  You may wish to install fasteners on them too.  After all, ladders are easy to carry.  And a nearby tree can be climbed.