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Practical home security for homeowners and renters, written from a security professional’s point of view. These guides show you how to make your home a hard target: what burglars actually look for, which fixes stop the most break-ins for the least money, and which products are worth buying. Every product pick is a current best seller, and every statistic comes from a named source.
Start here
- How to Secure Your Home: The Complete Guide — The layered plan security professionals use, applied to a house or apartment, from the street to your safe. Read this first.
Our top picks
SimpliSafe 8-piece kit
Wireless · DIY · optional monitoring
A best-selling DIY alarm that suits apartments and houses, and moves with you.
Watch out for: App features without a plan are limited.
See current price →Wyze Cam v4
2.5K · night vision · local recording
Affordable enough to cover every entrance, with thousands bought every month.
Watch out for: Smart features need a plan.
See current price →Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt
Keypad · auto-lock · BHMA AAA
A top-selling smart deadbolt with published BHMA ratings.
Watch out for: Wi-Fi models use batteries faster.
See current price →Doors, locks and windows
Most break-ins start at a door or window that was unlocked or easy to force. Fix these first.
- Door and Window Security — Where doors actually fail and how to reinforce them.
- Smart Lock vs Deadbolt — How lock strength is rated and which type to choose.
- How to Secure a Sliding Glass Door — Nine fixes for the weakest door in most homes.
- How to Secure Your Garage Door — Ten fixes, from the zip-tie trick to smart alerts.
Alarms and cameras
About 60% of burglars in a major university survey said an alarm would make them choose another home. This is the layer that deters.
- Home Security Systems With No Monthly Fee — Self-monitoring vs professional monitoring, and the best DIY kits.
- Best Home Security Cameras — Indoor, outdoor and doorbell cameras compared.
- How to Stop Package Theft — Video doorbells, package boxes and delivery tricks.
Renters and apartments
- Apartment Security for Renters — How to secure your place without drilling or losing your deposit.
Valuables, travel and personal safety
- Where Burglars Look First — Where they search and where to keep valuables instead.
- Best Home Safes — Fire and burglary ratings explained.
- Home Security While on Vacation — The complete checklist, from mail hold to light timers.
- Best Personal Safety Devices — Personal alarms, pepper spray and how to choose.
- Cruise Ship Safety Tips — Cabin security, drinks, kids and shore days, from a security professional.
How to use these guides
If you are starting from scratch, read the complete guide, then work through the doors and windows guides before buying any technology. Locks and reinforced frames delay a break-in; alarms and cameras detect and deter it; safes and good habits limit what can be taken. Renters should start with the apartment guide, because most of the advice can be done without drilling and the gear moves with you.
If you are short on time, do three things this week: replace the short screws in your front door strike plate with 3-inch screws, put a bar in any sliding door track, and remove any spare key hidden outside. Together they cost less than a takeaway dinner and close the gaps burglars use most often.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first thing I should do to secure my home?
Lock every door and window consistently and remove any hidden spare key. Then reinforce the front door strike plate with long screws.
Do I need a professional alarm company?
Not usually. DIY kits install in about an hour, cost less and can be self-monitored or professionally monitored when you need it.
Can renters improve home security?
Yes. Ask for the locks to be rekeyed, and use no-drill bars, stick-on alarms, wireless alarm kits and shelf cameras.
What deters burglars the most?
In the UNC Charlotte survey of 422 burglars, people nearby, signs of an alarm and outdoor cameras were among the strongest deterrents.
Firearms and weapons disclaimer: This page discusses firearms or other weapons for general information only. It is not legal advice, not firearms training, and not a recommendation to buy, carry or use any weapon. Laws on owning, carrying, transporting and using firearms, stun guns, pepper spray, batons and knives vary by state, county and city. They change often, can be different for security work, and breaking them can lead to criminal charges. Before you carry or use any weapon, confirm the current law where you are, get any required permit or license, train with a certified instructor, and follow your employer’s, client’s and property owner’s rules. You alone are responsible for how you buy, carry, store and use any weapon. Security Dogma and its authors accept no liability for any injury, loss, damage or legal consequence that results from acting on this information. A product link does not mean the item is legal where you live, so check local restrictions before you buy.