Home Security Tips: 25 Ways to Make Your Home a Harder Target

Quick answer: The best home security tips work in layers: deter people from approaching, delay them at doors and windows, detect them early, and respond fast. Start with the cheap fixes (lighting, locks, trimmed shrubs, good habits), then add sensors, cameras and monitoring as your budget allows. No single tip makes a home burglar-proof, but stacking several makes yours a much less attractive target.

Burglars generally look for the easiest option: an unlocked door, a dark side yard, a house that looks empty. Your goal is not to build a fortress overnight. It is to make your home noticeably more work, more risk and more noise than the one next door. Below are 25 tips, grouped by layer, that you can tackle in any order.

Want help choosing equipment or comparing providers? You can request free security system quotes using the form on this page.

Layer 1: Lighting and Landscaping Tips (Deter)

Visibility is the cheapest security upgrade. People who plan to break in prefer to work unseen.

1. Light every entry door. Front, back, garage side door and basement entrances should all have working fixtures.
2. Use motion-activated floodlights on dark sides of the house and over the driveway.
3. Choose dusk-to-dawn bulbs or smart bulbs so porch lights come on automatically, even if you forget.
4. Trim shrubs below window height (roughly three feet) so no one can hide beside a window.
5. Prune tree branches that reach second-story windows or the roof.
6. Consider thorny plants such as roses or holly beneath ground-floor windows as a natural barrier.
7. Keep ladders, tools and bins locked up so they cannot be used to reach upper windows or force entry.

Layer 2: Locks, Doors and Windows (Delay)

Most forced entries happen through a door, and many through an unlocked one. Slowing someone down by even a minute or two often makes them give up.

8. Install deadbolts on all exterior doors. Look for a bolt that extends at least an inch into the frame.
9. Replace short strike-plate screws with 3-inch screws that reach the wall stud. This is a cheap, powerful upgrade.
10. Reinforce door frames with a strike plate reinforcement kit, especially on older wood doors.
11. Use solid-core or metal exterior doors, not hollow-core, including the door from the garage into the house.
12. Add a smart lock or keypad deadbolt so you can see lock status, issue temporary codes and stop hiding spare keys.
13. Secure sliding doors with a security bar or a cut-to-fit dowel in the track, plus a pin lock to stop lifting.
14. Lock windows and add pin stops or window locks on ground-floor and basement windows.

Garage doors deserve special attention. Keep the interior garage-to-house door locked, and do not leave your garage door opener visible in a parked car.

Most burglars want the easiest target on the block, so every extra minute of effort you add works in your favor.

Layer 3: Home Security Sensors and Cameras (Detect)

Detection tells you, and sometimes the intruder, that someone is there. A basic system covers entry points with door and window sensors, adds motion detection indoors and sounds an alarm.

15. Put door and window sensors on every ground-floor entry, plus any accessible upper windows.
16. Add a motion sensor or glass-break sensor in main-floor rooms with large windows.
17. Install a video doorbell so you can see and speak to visitors without opening the door.
18. Cover entry points with outdoor cameras, focusing on the front door, back door, driveway and garage. Our guide on where to place home security cameras walks through each spot.
19. Choose cameras that match your needs. Resolution, power source and storage all matter; see our breakdown of how to choose outdoor security cameras.

Layer 4: Alarms, Monitoring and Response

Sensors and cameras are only useful if someone notices the alert. That is where monitoring comes in. Professional monitoring means a staffed center can dispatch police or fire services when an alarm triggers, even if you are asleep or traveling.

• Self-monitored systems send alerts to your phone and usually cost less monthly, but you are the one who must respond.
• Professionally monitored systems typically run a monthly fee (estimates commonly range from about $10 to $60 depending on provider and features).
• Cellular backup keeps a system reporting if your internet or power goes out.

If you are weighing the two approaches, read professional vs self-monitored home security. If long contracts worry you, see our guide to no-contract home security systems. For a broader view of the options, start with how to choose the best home security system.

Many insurers also offer a discount for monitored systems. We explain typical savings in do security systems lower homeowners insurance, and you can confirm exact credits with your own insurer.

A camera records what happened; monitoring is what gets someone moving while it is still happening.

Everyday Habits That Make Your Home Safer

Technology helps, but routine habits close the gaps. These cost nothing.

20. Lock up every time, including when you are home, in the yard or running a quick errand.
21. Do not hide spare keys under mats or in fake rocks. Give a copy to a trusted neighbor or use a smart lock code.
22. Keep valuables out of sight from windows, including packages, electronics and car keys.
23. Be thoughtful on social media. Avoid posting real-time travel updates or photos that reveal your absence.
24. Know your neighbors. Neighbors who recognize each other notice when something looks wrong. Consider a neighborhood watch or messaging group.

Vacation and Travel Prep Checklist

An empty house is the biggest signal a burglar can get. Before you leave, run through a short routine:

• Stop or hold mail and packages, or ask a neighbor to collect them daily.
• Use timers or smart plugs so lights and a radio turn on and off at normal hours.
• Arrange lawn care or snow removal so the property looks lived in.
• Arm your system and test it before you go, including cameras and phone alerts.
• Close and lock the garage door, and unplug the opener’s wall remote if you will be away a long time.
• Tell one trusted person your dates and give them a way to reach you.

For a deeper checklist, watch for our upcoming home security checklist.

How Much Do These Upgrades Cost?

These are rough estimates only; prices vary by region, brand and installer.

• Trimming, habits, longer strike-plate screws: little to $20.
• Motion lights and smart bulbs: roughly $15 to $100 each.
• Deadbolts and smart locks: about $30 to $300 per door.
• DIY sensor and camera kits: often a few hundred dollars.
• Professionally installed systems: can run higher up front; see how much a home security system costs for equipment, install and monthly fees.

Ready to compare providers instead of guessing? Request free, no-obligation home security quotes and a vetted provider can walk you through options for your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the single most effective home security tip?

Consistently locking your doors and windows. Many burglaries involve an unlocked entry point, so this free habit prevents a large share of easy opportunities. Add good lighting and a reinforced deadbolt next.

Do fake cameras or signs work?

They may deter some opportunistic intruders, but they provide no detection, recording or response. Real cameras and signs from an actual system are more reliable. Fake gear should not replace real protection.

Do I need professional monitoring?

Not everyone does. If you are often away, work odd hours or want emergency dispatch for fire, medical or break-in events, monitoring adds real value. If you can respond to phone alerts quickly, self-monitoring may be enough.

Is it worth upgrading security if I live in a low-crime area?

Low crime does not mean no crime. Basic layers such as lighting, locks and good habits cost little and are worthwhile anywhere. Add sensors or cameras based on your comfort level and budget.