10 Ways to Boost Your Home Security
You don’t need high fences or fancy systems to boost your home security. In truth, it’s often the small, low-cost fixes that make the biggest difference.
Most burglaries happen in the daytime – usually through unlocked doors or windows. That sounds unsettling, but it’s actually good news. It means simple changes can go a long way.
From smarter locks and better lighting to habits that make your home look lived in, this guide covers ten practical steps to help you feel safer, without spending a fortune.
Install High-Quality Door Locks
The front door is the most common way in, so it needs more than a basic lock. Deadbolts, anti-snap locks, or even smart locks are a solid upgrade for better home security.
It’s worth fitting a reinforced strike plate too – it’s a small bit of metal that makes it harder to kick the door in.
Don’t forget back and side doors – they’re out of sight, which makes them more tempting to intruders.
Upgrade to Smart Security Systems
Smart security systems do more than make noise – they keep you in the loop. If someone opens a door or window, you get an alert straight to your phone. Some even let you speak through a camera, which can be enough to send someone packing.
Look for a setup with cameras, sensors, and alarms, or start small and build it up. For better home security, this one’s a straightforward way to stay in control.
Use Motion-Activated Outdoor Lighting
Burglars don’t like the spotlight – literally. A light snapping on suddenly can be enough to make someone back off.
Install motion-activated lights near front doors, side paths, and garden gates. Solar-powered options are easy to fit and don’t add to your bills.
Give the sensors a test every now and then – weather and time can wear them down. For a small upgrade, this can seriously improve your home security without much effort.
Secure Windows with Locks and Sensors
Windows are easy targets, especially if they’re left open or use weak latches. Fitting window locks adds a simple, effective barrier.
For extra cover, add window sensors – they alert you if a window opens when it shouldn’t.
You could go further with security film or reinforced glass, but even basic upgrades help. It’s all about making your home just a little harder to mess with.
Reinforce Garage and Backdoor Entry Points
Garages and backdoors don’t get the attention they deserve, yet they’re often the weakest links in home security. They’re tucked away, out of sight, which makes them more inviting for anyone up to no good.
If you’ve got a side door or a door from the garage into your home, give it the same treatment as your front door. That means strong locks, reinforced frames, padlocks for external access points, and ideally a smart sensor or alarm.
And always – always – keep the garage shut. Open doors can be an open invitation, even if you're just pottering about inside.
Invest in a Video Doorbell
A video doorbell does more than catch parcel thieves – it lets you see who’s there and talk to them, whether you're home or not.
Look out for motion detection, night vision, and two-way audio. Some models send alerts to your phone, others link to smart hubs – either way, they’re simple to install.
It’s a small step that adds a lot to your home security, especially if your front door’s often left unattended.
Maintain a Well-Lit Exterior
A well-lit home feels lived in – and that alone can put people off. Focus on porches, side paths, and driveways, especially any darker corners.
Smart lighting is handy if you want control from your phone, but standard fixtures work just fine too.
Check bulbs now and then – one broken light might seem small, but it can make your home look unattended. Lighting’s a low-effort way to boost your home security day and night.
Keep Valuables Out of Sight
It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people leave keys, phones, or wallets in full view. Burglars often choose homes based on what they can see through windows, so keeping valuables tucked away can really help.
Curtains, blinds, or even frosted glass in street-facing rooms stop prying eyes without turning your home into a bunker.
And when it comes to storage, think low and locked. Drawers, cupboards, or even small safes beat leaving things out on side tables or kitchen counters.
Use Timers for Lights When Away
An empty house is an easy target – but it doesn’t have to look empty. Light timers are a small fix that can make it seem like someone’s home, even when you’re miles away.
You can get programmable plug-in timers or go a step up with smart bulbs that run from your phone.
Stick them in living rooms, hallways, or bedrooms – anywhere a light switching on in the evening might make an intruder think twice.
Join or Start a Neighbourhood Watch
You don’t need to patrol the streets in a high-vis vest – just being part of a neighbourhood watch can help improve home security across the whole street.
These groups often share updates, flag suspicious behaviour, and keep each other in the loop. Apps and group chats make it easy to stay connected, even if you’re busy.
If there’s nothing in place where you live, it’s worth starting one – a bit of community spirit goes a long way.
You don’t need to do everything at once, but even one or two of these changes can make your home feel safer. Stronger locks, better lighting, a few smart upgrades – they all add up.
Take a walk around your home and spot the easy wins. Think like someone who’s trying to get in, then make that job harder.
Because at the end of the day, home security isn’t about being perfect – it’s about making things just difficult enough to be left alone.