While there are some things you can't control, this guide talks about what you can do to keep yourself and your family safe.
In general, your home is a safe place. However, there are always risks.
Check out the following US stats:
Thousands of people die yearly from accidental home injuries.
One home is burglarized about every 23 seconds.
From 2013 to 2017, about 2,600 civilians died annually in home fires.
Other preventable home deaths include falls, accidental poisoning, and indoor pollution.
The good news is that by incorporating just a few tips, your home can be even safer than it is now. By combining several different products and approaches, you can begin to create a home security plan.
Here are tips to make your home a safer place.
1. Get an alarm system It’s hard to determine exactly how many potential intruders are put off by home alarm systems. You’ll see conflicting answers as you peruse the web. Some burglars won’t mess with security systems. Some are comfortable disabling certain brands. But regardless of how they feel about alarm systems, most would-be burglars don’t want to be caught. So get a security system, preferably one that still alerts even when disabled. Chances are a burglar will skip over your place to go for an easier target.
2. Permit/license your alarm Own an alarm? Check if your city requires a permit or license.
Licensing your alarm makes it easier for the police department to respond to you. It also helps you avoid potential fines should they respond to your unregistered alarm. In some cities, operating an alarm system without a valid permit is a misdemeanor. That means you could face a hefty fine and even potential time in the county jail.
3. Add window sensors Window sensors are also known as open/closed or entry sensors. When added to a window or a door, they’ll let you know if it opens or shuts. Protecting potential entrances is a great step toward securing your home. Sensors can be part of both a home security system and a home automation system. You can create cause and effect actions that span both. For example, you could set the sensor to turn on your bedroom light if your door opens after midnight. Or you can have it send you a text if the door opens while you’re away.
4. Add glass break sensors A glass break sensor listens for the sound of glass breaking. These little beauties are especially handy in a room with more than one window. Most door/window sensors sell for around $40 each, and you have to get one for each window you want monitored. In contrast, a single glass break sensor can monitor an entire roomful of windows for $80ish.
5. Add a security sign If you aren’t in the market for a full-blown security system, a security sign is the next best thing. Burglars look for easy targets, and the threat of a security system may be enough to deter them. Be sure to use a legitimate sign; professionals won’t be fooled by a phony.
6. Add security stickers A surprising number of burglars enter through a door, but a window’s also a possible entry point.⁴ Add security alarm stickers to all first-floor windows as a warning. Like security signs, stickers can put off thieves, but there are no guarantees—especially if you don’t really have a security system.
7. Add a security camera Security cameras work both with a home security system and on their own. A camera’s presence may deter burglars, and if that doesn’t work, it’ll help catch them. Cameras are especially effective in catching porch pirates in the act.
8. Turn old cell phones into security cameras There are lots of free apps that can turn your old phones and tablets into security cameras. We recommend Camio for this. Most phones and tablets aren’t waterproof, so you can’t use your new cameras outdoors. But you can put them around the house. (These are especially effective if you live with someone you don’t trust, like an adult child who might be stealing from you. Most people won’t think twice about an outdated phone sitting on a bookshelf.)
9. Answer the door the right way Tell your kids not to answer the door without your express permission. Even someone they know can pose a danger to them. And when you see an unexpected stranger at your door, don’t let them inside. It’s better to be safe than polite.
10. Add a door brace Bolt a door brace behind your entryway door. When in the locked position, the bolt helps a door sustain several hundred pounds of blunt force. If someone thinks they’ll kick down your braced door, they’ve got another think coming.
11. Lock your doors and windows Entering a home can be super easy for an intruder. Way too many people leave the door unlocked! So even if you live in a small, sleepy neighborhood . . . just lock your doors and windows. It’s better to play it safe.
12. Don’t put a picture of your key on Facebook In the glorious days of 2020, you can copy a house key with only a photo. It’s super convenient if you want to make a copy without surrendering the original, but it’s also potentially dangerous. Don’t share photos of your keys with anyone who isn’t welcome to enter your home at all hours.
If you’re thinking, “Why would I ever share a photo of my keys with someone?” just think of people doing it for the ‘gram. An influencer might snap a shot of a complimentary keychain (keys included) from their new sponsorship partner and post it on every social media channel they’ve got. They may never realize that showing their house key poses a danger to them and their belongings.
13. Secure sliding doors Sliding glass doors are, well, made of glass, so a lock might not cut it. Secure a sliding glass door from sliding open with a metal or wood rod to reinforce the door. Pro tip: add a jimmy plate (latch guard). The plate will prevent a burglar from lifting the door off its tracks.
14. Reinforce door jambs Non-glass doors can be weak too. In general, the weakest points on a door are the lock, jamb, and the hinges. We suggest reinforcing all three points on all external entryways. You can get the supplies from Amazon and do the job yourself—no carpentry skills necessary.
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