Is Your Home as Secure as You Think?

Do you have good deadbolts on all your exterior doors? Strong latches on your windows? Are you diligent about keeping doors and windows locked? Do you have a barky dog?

If you can answer “yes” to the first three questions, you’re already ahead when it comes to home security—and you get extra credit for the dog.

One thing we have noticed during our HomeWatch visits is that one of the most common weak points in a home is often the door leading off the deck or patio. Homeowners tend to focus on the front door, but sliding glass doors, French doors, and rear entries can sometimes be easier to force, pry open, or lift from their tracks.

That matters because most burglars are looking for the easiest way in. They generally prefer homes that appear empty, offer privacy from neighbors, and have an entry point that can be opened quickly and quietly. Good locks, secure doors and windows, and consistent habits are still some of the most effective ways to protect your home.

11 Simple Steps to a More Secure Home

1. Start with the perimeter.Walk around your home and look at every possible entry point—not just the front door. Pay special attention to side doors, basement entries, garage access doors, and especially deck and patio doors.

2. Upgrade weak locks.Key-in-the-knob locks alone provide limited protection. A quality deadbolt on exterior doors can make forced entry much more difficult.

3. Secure sliding glass doors.Sliding doors deserve extra attention. Their factory-installed locks can be relatively weak, and some doors can be lifted from their tracks. A sturdy security bar, track reinforcement, or professionally installed secondary lock can add another layer of protection.

4. Check the strength of your exterior doors.A strong lock is only as good as the door and frame around it. Solid doors, sturdy strike plates, and properly secured frames are harder to force open.

5. Strengthen your windows.Make sure all window locks work properly. Depending on the window style, additional locks or other reinforcements may make them more resistant to being pried open.

6. Keep valuables out of sight.Avoid leaving expensive electronics, jewelry, purses, keys, or other valuables visible through windows or doors.

7. Trim landscaping around entry points.Large shrubs and overgrown vegetation can give someone a place to work unseen. Keeping bushes trimmed around windows and doors improves visibility.

8. Add exterior lighting.Motion-activated lights can make dark side yards, decks, driveways, and rear entrances much less inviting.

9. Know where your keys are.Be careful about spare keys and who has access to them. If you tend to misplace your keys, a tracking device can help you keep tabs on them.

10. Get to know your neighbors.Good neighbors can be one of your best security systems. Let trusted neighbors know when you’ll be away, and return the favor when they travel.

11. Make your home look occupied when you’re gone.Mail, newspapers, packages, dark windows, and an overgrown lawn can advertise that no one is home. Timers for lights, help from neighbors, and services such as HomeWatch can help maintain the appearance of normal activity.

What About Cameras and Alarm Systems?

Today it’s easier than ever to build a do-it-yourself security system using cameras, door sensors, motion detectors, smart locks, and smartphone alerts.

For some homeowners, that can be an affordable and effective option. Others prefer professional installation and monitoring.

But technology only helps if you actually use it. If alerts become annoying, batteries go unreplaced, or the alarm is rarely turned on, an expensive system may provide less protection than expected.

That’s why I recommend getting the basics right first: secure doors, secure windows, good lighting, clear sightlines, and good habits.

Don’t Forget Your Insurance

It’s also worth reviewing your homeowner’s insurance periodically. Ask your insurance professional whether your personal property coverage is adequate and whether high-value items such as jewelry need additional coverage.

Some insurers may also offer discounts for qualifying alarm systems, monitoring, deadbolts, or other security improvements, so it never hurts to ask.

One Final Thought

Most people don’t think much about home security until something happens nearby—or until they leave town for an extended period.

Take five minutes this week and walk around the outside of your home as if you were trying to get in. Which door or window would you choose?

If your answer is the patio door off the deck or patio, you’re not alone. Based on what we see during our HomeWatch visits, that’s one area many homeowners should take a closer look at.