Most home break-ins are crimes of opportunity — burglars look for easy targets. By taking a few smart steps, you can make your home significantly less attractive to intruders. Here are 10 proven tips from our team of professional locksmiths.
The single most impactful upgrade you can make. Grade 1 deadbolts are tested to withstand 10 kick-in strikes and 250,000 cycles. Pair with a reinforced strike plate using 3-inch screws.
Most factory-installed strike plates use half-inch screws into soft wood. Replace with a heavy-gauge steel strike plate secured with 3-inch screws that reach into the door stud — the most cost-effective kick-in prevention available.
Sliding glass doors are a common weak point. Place a cut-down wooden dowel or metal bar in the track to prevent forced opening. Add a pin lock at the top corner for extra security.
Burglars hate attention. Motion-activated lights on all entry points and smart plugs on interior lights set to random schedules create the impression someone is home — even when you're traveling.
Under mats, in fake rocks, above door frames — burglars know all the hiding spots. Give a spare to a trusted neighbor instead, or use a quality combination lockbox mounted out of sight.
You have no way to know who has copies of the previous owner's keys — contractors, cleaners, relatives. Rekeying all exterior locks is fast, inexpensive, and essential.
The garage is the most overlooked entry point. Lock the door between the garage and living space with a deadbolt. Disable the emergency release cord from outside access and use a garage door monitor.
Overgrown bushes near doors and windows create hiding spots. Keep landscaping low or open near all entry points so neighbors and passersby can see clearly.
Video doorbells deter package theft and document suspicious activity. Combine with a security camera covering the driveway and back yard for comprehensive coverage.
Walk around your home like a burglar would. Which doors look weak? Which windows are hidden? Which lights are out? A 30-minute audit can reveal significant gaps in your security.