Home Security Basics That Actually Matter
Most residential entries are opportunistic and take under a minute. Security that works makes a house look occupied, slow to enter, and visible.
Effective home security is boring: solid doors, long screws, good lighting, and clear sightlines. Cameras help you afterward; hardware helps you beforehand.
Doors are the weak point
- Replace strike plate screws with three-inch screws that reach the framing — this is the single highest-value security upgrade, and it costs a few dollars
- Install a Grade 1 or 2 deadbolt with a one-inch throw on every exterior door
- Reinforce the door jamb on hollow or older frames
- Secure sliding doors with a bar or pin, and add anti-lift hardware
- Rekey every lock the week you move in
- Confirm garage entry doors are treated as exterior doors — they often are not
Windows and the ground floor
- Add auxiliary locks or pins to ground-floor and basement windows
- Keep shrubs below window height — cover helps intruders, not you
- Secure window air conditioners so they cannot be pushed in
- Consider security film on glass adjacent to door hardware
Lighting and visibility
Motion-activated lighting at every entry and along dark approaches is more effective than continuous lighting, because change draws attention. Keep the front door visible from the street. A house that is easy to watch is a house that is hard to approach unseen.
Alarms and cameras
Monitored alarms deter, and the yard sign does much of the work. Cameras primarily document. Prioritize a doorbell camera and one covering the most concealed entry point, and confirm recordings are retained somewhere off the property. Review the privacy settings and data retention policy of any cloud camera before installing it.
Habits
- Lock doors and windows even when home — daytime entries are common
- Do not post travel plans publicly while away
- Use light timers and ask a neighbor to collect packages and move bins
- Break down boxes for expensive purchases rather than leaving them at the curb
- Keep spare keys with a neighbor, never under a mat or rock
- Do not label keys with your address
Frequently asked questions
Do security cameras prevent break-ins?
Visible cameras and alarm signage have some deterrent effect, but cameras primarily provide evidence. Hardware and lighting do more to prevent entry.
Are smart locks secure?
Reputable smart locks are mechanically comparable to standard deadbolts. Choose one from an established manufacturer, keep firmware updated, and use a strong unique account password with two-factor authentication.
Is a monitored alarm system worth the monthly fee?
It depends on your risk and whether you would otherwise respond to an alert. Self-monitored systems cost less but rely on you seeing the notification.
