Home security goes far beyond just locking your doors. With burglaries becoming increasingly sophisticated, protecting your home requires a strategic combination of smart technology and old-school techniques. A shocking 34% of burglars enter through the front door – but there are proven ways to stop them in their tracks.
Reinforce your front door weak points
The weakest part of your front door isn’t the lock – it’s the frame. Most builders use short screws that only penetrate the doorframe, not the underlying structure. Replace these with 3-inch screws in the hinges and strike plate. This simple swap makes it nearly impossible to kick in the door.
Standard spring-latch locks can be bypassed in seconds using a credit card. Install a grade 1 or 2 deadbolt that extends at least one inch into the frame. For maximum security, add a door reinforcement kit that wraps around the edge where the lock meets the frame.
Make your home look occupied even when empty
Empty homes are prime targets. Smart plugs can transform ordinary lamps into automated security devices. Program them to turn on and off throughout the evening in a natural pattern. Some burglars monitor homes for days – randomized lighting makes it impossible to detect your routine.
Mail piling up screams “vacant home.” Instead of stopping delivery when traveling, use USPS Informed Delivery to monitor your mailbox remotely and have a neighbor collect packages. Remove flyers promptly – thieves often place them to identify vacant homes.
Transform your landscaping into a security barrier
Overgrown shrubs provide perfect hiding spots for intruders. Maintain bushes below window height and trim tree branches that could provide roof access. Plant thorny bushes like barberry or holly under windows – these natural deterrents make climbing through windows painfully difficult.
Strategic lighting eliminates shadows where criminals hide. Install motion-activated lights with 180-degree coverage around entry points. Solar-powered options eliminate the need for complex wiring.
Secure your windows without ugly bars
Window security film looks invisible but makes glass nearly impossible to break. Apply it to first-floor windows and any accessible from a deck or low roof. For double-hung windows, drill a hole through both sashes and insert a removable pin – this prevents the window from being opened even if the lock is compromised.
Window air conditioning units are a common entry point. Install an AC security bracket that prevents the unit from being pushed in. For sliding windows, place a wooden dowel cut to size in the track – it costs nothing but stops the window from sliding open.
Hide valuables where burglars never look
The master bedroom is the first place thieves check. Create decoy storage areas with fake valuables, while keeping real ones elsewhere. Install a wall safe behind a mirror or picture, but also keep a obvious decoy safe with some cash – thieves will take it and leave, missing your real valuables.
Mark valuable items with an ultraviolet pen. The invisible marking helps police identify stolen items. Photograph and document serial numbers of electronics and store the information in cloud storage.
Upgrade your garage door security
Many thieves can open garage doors in seconds using a wire hanger. Install a garage shield that blocks access to the emergency release. Add a smart garage controller to automatically close the door after a set time – you’d be surprised how often garages are accidentally left open overnight.
Never leave the remote in your car – thieves can break in and use it to access your home later. Instead, use a keychain remote or smartphone app. Add an extra lock to the door between your garage and house – many people forget this critical security point.
Home security doesn’t require an expensive system. These proven techniques create multiple layers of protection that work together to keep intruders out. Remember – the goal isn’t to make your home impenetrable, but to make it difficult enough that thieves move on to easier targets.
