Home security that actually helps.

Start with the doors

Most break-ins come through a door, usually by kicking it. The lock is rarely what fails; the strike plate and the door frame are.

• Fit a real deadbolt on every exterior door, with a bolt that throws a full inch
• Replace short strike plate screws with 3-inch screws that reach the house framing
• Do not forget the back door, the basement door, and the door from the garage into the house
• Glass near a lock? Consider a keyed deadbolt or security film
• Sliding patio doors need a secondary lock or a bar in the track

Control the keys

You cannot secure a house when you do not know who holds its keys.

• Rekey when you move in; you never know how many copies the previous owner, builder, or tenants made
• Rekey after a lost or stolen key, a breakup, or a departing roommate
• Restricted high-security keys cannot be copied at a hardware store without authorization
• Keypad locks let you give a code instead of a key, and delete it later

Where cameras actually help

Cameras deter some burglars and help identify the rest, but only when they are placed to see faces and plates.

• Cover every entry door at about head height, not just from the roofline
• Point one at the driveway to catch vehicles and plates
• Add outdoor lighting; many cameras are nearly useless in the dark
• Keep the recorder out of sight, or use cloud backup, so it does not leave with the burglar
• Check the footage once a month to make sure it is still recording

Before you travel

An empty-looking house is an invitation.

• Put lights on timers in more than one room
• Pause mail and packages, or have a neighbor collect them
• Keep trips off social media until you are home
• Lock gates, sheds, and the garage, and unplug the garage door opener if you will be gone a while
• Leave a key with one trusted person, not under the mat

Moving-in checklist

The first week in a new home is the best time to get this right.

• Rekey or replace every exterior lock
• Check that every window latches
• Reset the garage door opener codes and keypad
• Change the alarm and smart lock codes if the house has them
• Walk the property at night to see what is dark

On a budget

If you can only do a few things, do these: long screws in every strike plate, a rekey after moving in, a light over each door, and the habit of locking up every time. Together they cost less than a single camera system and stop most break-ins.