How to Improve Your Home Security

You do not need a fortress to deter a burglar — you need to be a harder, slower target than the next house. The majority of residential break-ins are opportunistic and over in minutes, so the goal is to remove easy opportunities. These are the upgrades a locksmith recommends most, roughly in order of value for money.

1. Start with the front door

Your main entrance is the most common point of attack. Fit a quality deadbolt (a proper Grade 1 or 2 bolt, not just the knob latch) and — this is the part people skip — reinforce the strike plate with a heavy-duty plate and long 3-inch screws that bite into the wall framing, not just the door jamb. Most kicked-in doors fail at the flimsy strike plate, not the lock itself. This one upgrade dramatically improves kick-in resistance for very little money.

2. Don't forget the back and side doors

Burglars prefer doors that are out of sight. Give secondary and basement doors the same deadbolt-and-strike treatment as the front. Sliding patio doors are a classic weak point — add a bar or auxiliary lock and a pin so the door cannot be lifted out of its track.

3. Rekey or change locks when you should

If you have just moved in, lost keys, or had a break-up or tenant turnover, rekey so old keys no longer work. It is cheap and closes off anyone holding a copy you do not know about.

4. Consider a smart or keypad lock

Keyless entry removes the "hidden" spare key under the mat (which burglars check first), lets you give temporary codes instead of keys, and can alert you or log entries. Put a good smart lock on a solid deadbolt for the best of both worlds.

5. Upgrade windows and visibility

• Add locks or pins to ground-floor and basement windows.
• Use motion-sensor lighting around entrances and dark corners.
• Trim shrubs that give cover near doors and windows.
• Make the home look occupied — timers on lights, no packages piling up.

6. Build good habits

The best hardware fails if the door is left unlocked. Lock up every time, even for short trips; do not hide keys outside; and do not broadcast vacations on social media. A visible camera or alarm sign adds another layer of deterrence.

Not sure where your home is weakest? A locksmith can do a quick security assessment of your doors and windows and tell you exactly which upgrades give you the most protection for your budget.