A short time ago, a reader wrote in to ask if we had any ideas on how to secure the well covers over basement windows to keep burglars out. We discussed the problem at the shop and could not come up with an acceptable solution that still allowed for easy exit in case of an emergency. We asked our readers if they had any ideas, and they did. They sent us several excellent ideas.
The first one involves a heavy rubber bunge cord attached between the cover and the ladder. Simply bolt a loop hasp to the underside of the cover and stretch a bunge cord from the hasp to a rung of the ladder. Alternatively, loop the bunge cord around the ladder and attach both ends to the loop hasp.
The bunge cord can easily be removed by the resident to provide for emergency exit, but a burglar pulling on the cover will not be able to remove it.
The second is a panic release clasp available commercially from the Anderson Well Covers Company. It is a cable with a quick release clasp that you attach to the cover and the well liner. See their website:
www.andersoncovers.com/ladders-well-cover-accessories.php
The third solution involves locking the sliding window to the fixed one by drilling a hole through the sliding window frame and into the fixed one and inserting a pin, which could be a nail. If you go with this solution, you should put something very visual on this pin to make it easy to spot. A red ribbon or a stout cord with a bright colored tag saying, “Pull here to unlock window.”
Each of these solutions is easy to install, provides for easy unlatching to get out in case of an emergency, and keeps burglars from getting into your house through the basement windows. Congratulations to our readers; you really came through on this one.
If you have suggestions for future tips or have questions about maintenance around your home, submit them to ask.the.woodchucks@gmail.com
