Top 9+ Easy Ways to Make Your Home Safer Today (Without Turning It Into a Fortress)

Secure Your Doors With Smart Locks and Reinforced Strike Plates

Secure Your Doors With Smart Locks and Reinforced Strike Plates, Light Up Entryways and Pathways With Motion-Activated LEDs, Install Video Doorbells and Visible Cameras, Keep Windows Locked and Consider Security Film, Trim Shrubs and Maintain Clear Sightlines, Don’t Advertise Valuables or Absences, Use Smart Plugs and Timers for Lights and Electronics, Get to Know Your Neighbors and Join a Community Watch, Store Spare Keys Safely—Not Under the Mat

Most break-ins happen through the front door, with the FBI reporting that 34% of burglars simply walk right in using unlocked entrances or weak locks. Upgrading to a smart lock with an auto-lock feature can prevent those forgetful moments when you leave home in a rush.

These locks let you monitor and control entry from your phone, even when you’re away. Reinforcing your door’s strike plate with longer screws and a heavy-duty plate makes it much harder to kick open, which is a common forced entry technique.

Recent studies from Consumer Reports suggest reinforced doors can withstand up to four times more force than standard setups. This simple fix is affordable and takes less than an hour to install.

You don’t have to turn your house into a bunker—just make the entry points less appealing for opportunistic thieves.

Light Up Entryways and Pathways With Motion-Activated LEDs

Secure Your Doors With Smart Locks and Reinforced Strike Plates, Light Up Entryways and Pathways With Motion-Activated LEDs, Install Video Doorbells and Visible Cameras, Keep Windows Locked and Consider Security Film, Trim Shrubs and Maintain Clear Sightlines, Don’t Advertise Valuables or Absences, Use Smart Plugs and Timers for Lights and Electronics, Get to Know Your Neighbors and Join a Community Watch, Store Spare Keys Safely—Not Under the Mat

Effective lighting is a proven deterrent, with the U.S. Department of Justice noting that well-lit homes are significantly less likely to be targeted by burglars.

Motion-activated LED lights are energy-efficient and can be installed without complex wiring. They startle intruders and draw attention to movement, making it difficult for anyone to approach your doors or windows unnoticed.

According to a 2024 survey from the National Crime Prevention Council, 60% of convicted burglars said they avoided homes with visible security lighting. Place these lights near entrances, garages, and dark corners where someone might try to hide.

Unlike old floodlights, LEDs are unobtrusive and blend into your home’s exterior. You get safety without making your house feel like a prison yard.

Install Video Doorbells and Visible Cameras

Secure Your Doors With Smart Locks and Reinforced Strike Plates, Light Up Entryways and Pathways With Motion-Activated LEDs, Install Video Doorbells and Visible Cameras, Keep Windows Locked and Consider Security Film, Trim Shrubs and Maintain Clear Sightlines, Don’t Advertise Valuables or Absences, Use Smart Plugs and Timers for Lights and Electronics, Get to Know Your Neighbors and Join a Community Watch, Store Spare Keys Safely—Not Under the Mat

Video doorbells have exploded in popularity, with Statista reporting over 28 million units sold in 2024 alone. These devices don’t just record—they let you see and speak to visitors in real time, which can startle or deter would-be intruders.

Research by Rutgers University found that neighborhoods with visible security cameras experienced up to 20% fewer break-ins over a two-year period. Even affordable models offer decent video quality and cloud storage.

Place cameras at entry points and make sure they’re visible; the presence of a camera alone is often enough to scare off someone with bad intentions. As a bonus, video doorbells come in stylish designs that blend into your home, offering protection without making it look like a fortress.

Keep Windows Locked and Consider Security Film

Secure Your Doors With Smart Locks and Reinforced Strike Plates, Light Up Entryways and Pathways With Motion-Activated LEDs, Install Video Doorbells and Visible Cameras, Keep Windows Locked and Consider Security Film, Trim Shrubs and Maintain Clear Sightlines, Don’t Advertise Valuables or Absences, Use Smart Plugs and Timers for Lights and Electronics, Get to Know Your Neighbors and Join a Community Watch, Store Spare Keys Safely—Not Under the Mat

Windows are a common weak spot, with the Bureau of Justice Statistics noting that about 23% of burglars gain entry this way. Always lock your windows—especially on the ground floor.

For extra peace of mind, security film is a discreet option that strengthens glass, making it much harder to break. A 2023 study by the National Home Security Alliance showed that homes with security film on windows were 35% less likely to experience a successful forced entry.

This transparent film doesn’t change the look of your home, but it holds shattered glass together if someone tries to smash their way in. Window sensors can add another layer of deterrence, sending alerts to your phone if a window is opened unexpectedly.

Trim Shrubs and Maintain Clear Sightlines

Secure Your Doors With Smart Locks and Reinforced Strike Plates, Light Up Entryways and Pathways With Motion-Activated LEDs, Install Video Doorbells and Visible Cameras, Keep Windows Locked and Consider Security Film, Trim Shrubs and Maintain Clear Sightlines, Don’t Advertise Valuables or Absences, Use Smart Plugs and Timers for Lights and Electronics, Get to Know Your Neighbors and Join a Community Watch, Store Spare Keys Safely—Not Under the Mat

Overgrown bushes and trees near windows give intruders places to hide. The International Association of Chiefs of Police recommends keeping shrubbery trimmed below window height and trees pruned up from the ground.

This not only increases natural surveillance from neighbors but also allows you to spot any suspicious movement. A 2024 report from SafeHome.org found that homes with clear sightlines had 15% fewer break-in attempts than those with heavy landscaping.

Keeping areas around your home tidy also sends a message that the property is well cared for and monitored. By making your home less attractive as a hiding spot, you increase its security without adding barriers.

Don’t Advertise Valuables or Absences

Secure Your Doors With Smart Locks and Reinforced Strike Plates, Light Up Entryways and Pathways With Motion-Activated LEDs, Install Video Doorbells and Visible Cameras, Keep Windows Locked and Consider Security Film, Trim Shrubs and Maintain Clear Sightlines, Don’t Advertise Valuables or Absences, Use Smart Plugs and Timers for Lights and Electronics, Get to Know Your Neighbors and Join a Community Watch, Store Spare Keys Safely—Not Under the Mat

Leaving expensive items like bikes or grills in plain sight can attract unwanted attention. The Insurance Information Institute highlights that visible valuables increase the risk of theft, as opportunistic thieves often act on impulse.

Likewise, avoid posting your vacation plans or location on social media until after you return. According to a 2023 survey by Nationwide, nearly 40% of burglary victims had advertised their absence online beforehand.

Keep curtains drawn at night and store electronics away from windows. You don’t need to hide everything, but a little discretion goes a long way toward keeping your belongings safe.

Use Smart Plugs and Timers for Lights and Electronics

Secure Your Doors With Smart Locks and Reinforced Strike Plates, Light Up Entryways and Pathways With Motion-Activated LEDs, Install Video Doorbells and Visible Cameras, Keep Windows Locked and Consider Security Film, Trim Shrubs and Maintain Clear Sightlines, Don’t Advertise Valuables or Absences, Use Smart Plugs and Timers for Lights and Electronics, Get to Know Your Neighbors and Join a Community Watch, Store Spare Keys Safely—Not Under the Mat

A dark, quiet house is a clear sign no one’s home. Smart plugs and timers let you automate lamps, TVs, or radios to turn on and off at random intervals, creating the illusion that the house is occupied.

The 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report notes that burglaries spike during holidays and long weekends when homes are empty. Research from the University of North Carolina found that simple light automation reduced burglary rates by up to 16% in test neighborhoods.

Smart plugs are inexpensive, easy to set up, and can be controlled from your phone. This subtle trick keeps your home looking lively, no bars or gates required.

Get to Know Your Neighbors and Join a Community Watch

Secure Your Doors With Smart Locks and Reinforced Strike Plates, Light Up Entryways and Pathways With Motion-Activated LEDs, Install Video Doorbells and Visible Cameras, Keep Windows Locked and Consider Security Film, Trim Shrubs and Maintain Clear Sightlines, Don’t Advertise Valuables or Absences, Use Smart Plugs and Timers for Lights and Electronics, Get to Know Your Neighbors and Join a Community Watch, Store Spare Keys Safely—Not Under the Mat

Good relationships with neighbors can be one of the most effective safety tools. According to the National Neighborhood Watch, communities with active watch programs saw crime drop by an average of 25% between 2022 and 2024.

Neighbors can spot suspicious activity, collect mail when you’re away, and act as extra eyes and ears. Even a simple group chat can keep everyone informed about local issues.

Being friendly and connected doesn’t just improve security—it also makes your street feel more welcoming. When people look out for each other, it’s much harder for trouble to go unnoticed.

Store Spare Keys Safely—Not Under the Mat

Secure Your Doors With Smart Locks and Reinforced Strike Plates, Light Up Entryways and Pathways With Motion-Activated LEDs, Install Video Doorbells and Visible Cameras, Keep Windows Locked and Consider Security Film, Trim Shrubs and Maintain Clear Sightlines, Don’t Advertise Valuables or Absences, Use Smart Plugs and Timers for Lights and Electronics, Get to Know Your Neighbors and Join a Community Watch, Store Spare Keys Safely—Not Under the Mat

A shocking 30% of burglars enter homes using a spare key, often found in obvious spots like under the doormat or a flowerpot, as reported by SafeWise in 2024. Instead, consider giving a spare to a trusted neighbor or using a lockbox with a code.

If you must hide a key, choose an unexpected location far from the front door. Better yet, upgrade to a smart lock that lets you grant temporary digital access to guests or service providers.

This eliminates the need for physical keys altogether. Small changes like these dramatically reduce the risk of someone letting themselves in uninvited.

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