A combination of smart habits and simple upgrades can make your home safer and help deter break-ins before they happen.
- Know what's at your door.
Use strong deadbolts and a peephole or video-doorbells to see who is outside. - Keep it secure.
Secure doors and windows with pins, locks, and tightfitting frames; reinforce sliding doors. - Avoid using spares.
Don’t hide spare keys—give one to a trusted neighbor and rekey locks when moving in. - Keep outside secure.
Use motion-activated lighting, trim trees or move ladders that give easy access, and keep valuables documented. - Prepare before you leave.
When away, use light timers, avoid mail buildup, and if you return to find something suspicious, don’t enter; call the police.