Your home should be a safe haven at all times. However, it can be an easy target for criminals if you fail to secure it. Burglars look for weak spots like cheap locks, poor lighting, and open windows. The best way to deter criminals? Home security.
It may sound expensive, but you actually don’t need a fancy alarm system to keep your home safe. Simple DIY fixes can make your house much harder to break into.
Home Security Guide: Clever Ways to Fortify Your Property
Let’s be honest: No home is 100% safe, but the more obstacles you add, the less likely burglars will try. Most thieves want an easy target, so if your home looks too difficult to penetrate, they’ll move on to the next one. Here are cost-effective home security tips to make your home safer.
1. Reinforce Your Doors
Most burglars break in through the front door. If your main entrance is weakly constructed, they can kick it open in seconds. Choose a solid-core door because it’s much tougher than a hollow one. Instead of a cheap deadbolt, install a Grade 1 version because it’s stronger and longer-lasting. Additionally, weak door frames make it easy to force a door open, so replace the small screws with 3-inch ones.
2. Secure Your Windows
Doors maybe the preferred entrance for burglars, but windows are a close second. If your windows are unlocked, an intruder can get inside quickly. They’re also easy to force open even when locked tight.
To burglar-proof windows, install a security film to make the glass harder to break. If someone tries to smash a window, the film holds the glass together and makes it more difficult for objects to get through. Placing a wooden dowel or metal pin in the track of a sliding window also prevents it from being opened from the outside.
3. Improve Outdoor Lighting
Dark areas around your home make it easier for criminals to sneak around. Conversely, a well-lit yard makes your house a much harder target. Porch lights may help, but they can’t cover your entire front and back areas.
Motion sensor lights are also a great way to scare off trespassers as they turn on automatically once they detect movement. This makes it harder for someone to stay hidden. Bright floodlights around entry points also help deter thieves from lurking.
4. Use Landscaping to Your Advantage
Your yard isn’t just for visuals — it can help protect your home too. Keeping it well-maintained removes hiding spots for intruders.
Start by trimming tall bushes near windows that burglars might use as hiding places. Planting thorny bushes like roses, cacti, or holly under windows also makes it harder for anyone to get close to your property.
5. Strengthen Your Garage
Garages hold not just cars but also expensive tools and equipment. Use a door lock or metal bar to stop thieves from prying your garage doors open. Zip-tying the emergency release cord also keeps intruders from pulling them open from the outside.
6. Secure Overlooked Entry Points
Most people focus on securing doors and windows. However, burglars will persistently look for other entry points to get in. An unlocked side gate gives them access to the backyard.
Adding strong locks to side gates and other entry points help keep trespassers out. Since basement windows are easy to break into, cover them with security film or metal bars for extra protection. Large attic vents can also be a risk, so cover them with a sturdy metal grate to keep them secure.
7. Make Your Home Look Occupied
Most burglars won’t dare enter a home if someone is inside. Make your house look occupied—even when you’re away—to reduce the chances of a break-in.
Use smart plugs to turn lights on and off at different times and create the illusion that someone’s home. Then, play a radio or TV on low volume to add to the effect. A car in the driveway also helps deter intruders.
8. Install a DIY Security System
Security cameras are among the best deterrents against intruders. Burglars don’t want to be caught on tape, so even fake cameras can help scare them off. Meanwhile, a video doorbell lets you immediately see who’s at your door. Wireless alarm systems emit a loud siren if a door or window is tampered with. Overall, combining cameras, lights, and alarms makes it much harder for robbers to get in.
Layered Security = Peace of Mind
A safe home is about knowing your family is protected. The good news is that you don’t need expensive security systems to have a secured home. DIY upgrades, smart habits, and great outdoor lighting all work together to deter criminals. Apply these home security tips now, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a well-protected home.
FAQs About Home Security
- What’s the fastest way to make my home safer?
Reinforcing door strike plates with 3-inch screws is an easy and effective upgrade. - How can I keep burglars from choosing my house?
Having good lighting, cameras, and locked doors makes your home less of a target. - Do motion sensor lights really work?
Yes, they startle intruders and make it harder to sneak around. - What’s the best way to secure sliding doors?
A security bar and shatter-resistant film stop burglars from forcing them open. - Are fake security cameras helpful?
Yes, but real cameras provide better protection and can capture evidence.
