Many of the best security improvements cost little and need no installer. Use this checklist to walk your property and spot weak points before adding any technology.
Start with every exterior door, including the garage entry and basement door. A solid core or metal door is stronger than a hollow one. Check that the deadbolt extends fully into the frame and that the door closes without needing a shove. A door that sticks or rattles may have loose hinges or a warped frame.
Look at the strike plate, the metal piece on the frame that receives the bolt. Short screws only reach the trim, while long screws reach the wall stud and give much more resistance to force. Replacing screws with longer ones is a cheap and effective upgrade.
Check the hinges too. On an outswinging door, exposed hinge pins can be removed from outside, so look for security pins or non-removable hinges. Inspect weatherstripping and the gap around the door, since a large gap lets tools slip in. A wide-angle door viewer or a camera at the door lets you see visitors without opening the door.
Windows should latch securely and be locked when you are away. Ground-floor and basement windows deserve the most attention. A bar or dowel in the track of a sliding door stops it from being forced open, and a secondary lock adds another layer. Window locks or limiters can allow ventilation without leaving a full opening.
Large panes near doors can be a weak spot because someone can break the glass to reach a lock. Consider where you keep keys and avoid leaving them visible near glass.
Check window screens and glazing too. Screens keep insects out but do not stop entry, and old window locks may be loose or broken. Replace worn latches and make sure basement window wells are not covered in a way that hides someone working on the window. Laminated or film-covered glass can slow entry attempts, and it is worth discussing with a glazing professional if a window is both vulnerable and hard to cover with other measures.
Garage doors are big openings. Do not leave the remote in a parked car where it can be taken, and use the lock on the door when you travel. Check that the door from the garage into the house is as strong as a front door. Sheds and detached garages often hold tools and ladders that can help someone get into the house, so lock them and store ladders out of sight.
Take a look at the emergency release on an automatic opener. A thief can sometimes reach it through a gap at the top of the door with a tool, so cover gaps and consider a shield or a lock on the release. Keep the interior door from the garage to the house locked, since the garage may be left open for deliveries or visitors.
Lighting around entrances and walkways makes it harder for anyone to approach unseen and improves camera footage. Motion-activated fixtures can help, and steady low lighting works well for continuous coverage. Check that bulbs are working.
Trim shrubs near doors and windows so no one can hide behind them, and prune low tree branches that give access to upper floors. Keep gates in good repair and think about whether a fence provides privacy that also hides activity from neighbors.
Walk your property at night and see what a stranger would see. Which areas are dark? Where could someone stand out of view? A walk-through after dark reveals problems you do not notice by day, and it takes only a few minutes. Address the darkest approach to your doors first.
If you have an alarm system, test it according to the maker's instructions and make sure everyone knows how to use it. Review which sensors cover which doors and windows. If you have cameras, check the views, confirm that recording and notifications work and look at the storage plan. Our guide to choosing cameras and the home security systems page can help you plan upgrades.
Review who has keys or codes. Remove anyone who no longer needs access, and consider rekeying after a move or after a key is lost.
Do not overlook smoke and carbon monoxide alarms while you are checking systems. Test them as the manufacturer directs, replace batteries as needed and replace units that have reached the end of their service life, which is printed on the device. If you are unsure about any of it, contact your local fire department for guidance.
Lock doors even when you are home. Do not post travel plans publicly while the house is empty. Ask a neighbor to collect mail and packages, and use timers or smart plugs to vary lights. Keep valuables and important documents out of sight from windows, and avoid leaving boxes from new electronics visible at the curb.
Make a short checklist for leaving the house each time: doors locked, windows closed, garage shut, alarm armed. Habits do more than hardware.
Create a simple record of your valuables. Photograph serial numbers, receipts and unusual items, and store the files somewhere other than your home. If something is stolen, a clear record helps with reports and insurance claims. Tell your insurer about a home office, collections or high-value items so you know how they are covered.
Know your neighbors. Neighbors who recognize you, your vehicles and your schedule are the cheapest security upgrade available. A quick conversation about watching each other's homes during trips builds a network no device can match.
Longer screws in strike plates and hinges is a small cost for stronger doors. Better lighting and consistent locking habits are close behind.
The checklist reduces risk, but an alarm adds detection and notification. Whether you need one depends on your property and priorities.
It is a sensible precaution, because you cannot know who holds copies of the old keys.
A seasonal check is a good habit, along with a review after any move, break-in nearby or change in who lives in the house.
Tell us about your home or business and we will reply to set up a no-cost conversation about what makes sense.