Thieves target mobile homes because they are easy to break into.
Mobile homes are not known for their security. The economy and potential portability needs of the home dictate a kind of construction that does not lend itself to well anchored locks. There is a lack of the wood stud frames found in regular homes to attach hardware on. You can lock your mobile home windows without having to drill into the metal framing in the wall. A simple, but effective mobile home window frame lock is available at most home improvement stores and you can make sliding window locks yourself. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Install the Frame Locks
1. Remove the mobile home window lock from the packaging. Make sure that the lock has a thumbscrew. If the screw is missing, return the lock to the store you purchased it from and get another lock.
2. Turn the thumbscrew counterclockwise until the threaded part of the screw is flush to the body of the lock and not protruding into the open area of the lock.
3. Place the lock into the track of your sliding window, or "clip" it around the frame of your window above the bottom half of the window (the part you raise and lower). On both types of windows, place the lock about three inches away from the end of the window section that slides to open.
4. Turn the thumbscrew clockwise until the screw is against the frame or track. Try wiggling the lock, if you can wiggle it by hand the screw is not tight enough, tighten it until you cannot move the lock at all by hand.
5. Open the window. You should only be able to open it three inches (enough to let air in) but no more, even if you push hard on the window section. Make sure the lock does not move. Once you can do this and the lock does not move, your locks are completely installed.
Make Your Own Sliding Door Lock
6. Measure the width of the track on your sliding door and the length between the end of the door and the wall (along the track it slides on to open).
7. Cut a wooden dowel that has a diameter slightly smaller than the track, three inches less than your measurement for the space between the door and the wall.
8. Drop the dowel into the track (with the door closed) so it is lying in the track. You can now crack the door open for some air, but no one can open it any further because the dowel will stop the door from sliding in the track.
Tags: mobile home, three inches, between door, between door wall, does move
