So today we’re talking about something that matters to every single homeowner—keeping your house secure.
I know, I know. It can feel overwhelming. You see all these fancy systems and expensive cameras, and you think maybe security isn’t something you can afford right now.
But here’s what I’ve learned after years of covering homes and talking to security experts: most break-ins happen because of opportunity, not elaborate planning.
Criminals look for the easiest target. And that means you don’t need a fortress.
You just need to be less appealing than the house next door.
I’m going to walk you through five home improvements that are simple, affordable, and actually effective. Not theory. Practical stuff that works.
5 Easy Improvements To Your Home Security
Look, home security doesn’t have to mean ripping out your front door or installing some thousand-dollar system.
Most of what keeps your home safe comes down to visibility, reinforcement, and making things harder for someone who’s scoping out your street.
Think about it from a burglar’s perspective.
They’re driving through a neighborhood. Maybe they take two minutes to size things up, maybe two weeks.
Either way, they’re asking: which house gives me the least trouble? That’s it. That’s the whole calculation.
So your job isn’t to become Fort Knox.
Your job is to have more deterrents than the house three doors down.
Improve Visibility Around Your Home
First thing you need to do? Walk around your property like you’re casing it yourself.
Seriously. Go outside right now if you can, and look at your house like you’re planning to break in.
What do you see? Big overgrown bushes right next to your windows? Trees blocking the view from the street? Dark corners where someone could hang out for five minutes without being noticed?
Criminals love cover. They want to work in the shadows where neighbors can’t see them.
So your first line of defense is cutting back that cover.
Trim your bushes, especially the ones near windows and doors.
You want visibility. If someone’s trying to pry open a window, you want your neighbor across the street to be able to see it happening.
Motion sensor lights are huge here. And I’m talking about the solar ones.
Why solar? Because they’re cheap, easy to install, and they keep working even if your power goes out.
You can pick them up for like twenty bucks each. Just stick them around your exterior doors, along pathways, anywhere that gets dark at night.
When a light suddenly flips on, most people trying to do something shady are going to move along. It’s that simple.
Also, don’t forget about your driveway.
A driveway alarm is one of those things nobody thinks about until they have one.
You hammer a little stake into the ground at the top of your driveway with a passive infrared sensor.
When someone walks through that beam, a chime goes off inside your house. Just like a doorbell.
I’m a big fan of these, especially if you’ve got a longer driveway.
You get an instant heads-up that someone’s approaching. Not just intruders either—delivery people, solicitors, anyone. You’re aware.
Strengthen Entry Points
Okay so now let’s talk about doors. Because here’s the thing: most break-ins happen through doors, not windows. And most doors? They’re way easier to kick in than you’d think.
The average exterior door can be kicked in with two solid hits.
Two. That’s terrifying when you think about it. But it’s also fixable.
First, make sure you’ve got solid deadbolts on all your exterior doors.
Not those flimsy little locks that come standard. Actual deadbolts that go deep into the frame.
Along with fitting deadlocks, you should consider upgrading to electric garage doors with advanced locking mechanisms. These make it harder for thieves to gain leverage.
But the deadbolt alone isn’t enough.
You need to reinforce the area around it. There are these strike plates you can buy that are way stronger than the little thin ones most doors have.
Some people call them door armor or security plates.
You install them where the deadbolt meets the frame, and suddenly your door can withstand a lot more force.
There’s also something called a door barricade or door jammer.
These are devices you place on the inside of your door that create additional resistance against forced entry. They’re not expensive, and they work.
I know people who put them on every exterior door in their house.
Sliding doors are another weak point.
If you’ve got a sliding glass door, you need a security bar in the track.
Just a metal or wooden rod that sits there and prevents the door from sliding open even if someone manages to unlock it. Takes two seconds to set up.
Windows are worth mentioning too, though they’re less common entry points.
You can get window locks pretty cheap. Or even just cut a wooden dowel to fit in the track of your sliding windows. Same concept as the sliding door.
Use Smart and Affordable Technology
Now we get into tech. But don’t worry—I’m not talking about spending thousands here.
Video cameras have dropped in price like crazy over the last few years.
You can get decent outdoor cameras for under a hundred bucks. Sometimes way under.
The goal isn’t necessarily to record some perfect footage for the police.
I mean, that’s nice if it happens. But the real goal is deterrence.
A visible camera makes someone think twice.
Put cameras on all your exterior doors if you can.
Front door, back door, side door, garage.
Anywhere someone might try to get in. And make them visible.
You’re not trying to catch someone in the act. You’re trying to make them choose a different house.
Smart doorbells are worth considering too.
The ones with cameras and two-way audio.
Someone rings your doorbell or just approaches your porch, you get a notification on your phone.
You can see who it is and even talk to them if you want. Or just ignore it and know that they know you’re aware.
Some of these systems let you answer the door remotely, so even if you’re not home, you can make it seem like you are. That’s useful.
Here’s another cheap one: plug-in timers for your lights. Or get a couple of smart bulbs you can control from your phone.
When you’re away, you can have lights turn on and off at realistic times. Make it look like someone’s home.
And look, I know some people go all-in on full security systems with monthly monitoring.
That’s great if it fits your budget. But honestly? For most people, a few cameras, some motion lights, and reinforced doors are going to do 90% of the work.
Make Your Home Look Occupied
Thieves target empty houses. Makes sense, right? No confrontation, no risk of someone calling the cops while they’re still inside.
So even when you’re not home, you want your house to look lived-in.
We already talked about timers for lights. That’s a big one. But there’s more you can do.
If you’re going on vacation, don’t let your mail pile up.
Either stop delivery or have a neighbor grab it every day.
Same with packages. A bunch of boxes sitting on your porch is basically a sign that says “nobody’s home.”
Keep your lawn maintained. An overgrown yard screams “we’ve been gone for two weeks.” If you can’t mow before you leave, pay someone to do it or ask a friend.
Don’t post about your vacation on social media until you’re back.
I know, I know. You want to share those beach photos in real time. But you’re literally broadcasting to everyone that your house is empty. Just wait until you get home.
Oh, and cars. If you normally park in the driveway, ask someone to park there while you’re gone. Or at least move your car around if you’re leaving one home.
A car sitting in the exact same spot for a week is another signal.
Even small things matter.
Leave a radio on. Leave a TV on. Curtains should be in their normal position, not all suddenly closed or all suddenly open.
The point is to create the illusion of normalcy. Because someone who’s watching—even casually—will notice when a house suddenly looks different.
Build Security Through Awareness and Habits
Okay so this last one isn’t really about buying anything. It’s about paying attention.
Know your neighbors. Not like you have to be best friends, but at least be on speaking terms.
Why? Because neighbors who know each other look out for each other.
If your neighbor sees someone messing with your back gate at 2 in the morning, they’re way more likely to call the cops if they actually know you.
Plus, neighbors can grab your mail, watch your house when you’re gone, and give you a heads-up about suspicious activity in the area.
Lock your doors. I know this sounds obvious, but you’d be shocked how many break-ins happen through unlocked doors.
Every time you leave. Every night before bed. Just lock them.
Same with your car, especially if you park in your driveway. And don’t leave valuables visible in your car. That’s just asking for a smashed window.
Get in the habit of checking your doors and windows before you go to sleep.
Make it part of your routine. Takes two minutes.
If you see something weird in your neighborhood—an unfamiliar car driving slowly, someone going door to door who seems off, anything that doesn’t feel right—trust your gut.
Call the non-emergency police line and report it. Better to be wrong than to ignore something that turns into a problem.
Oh, and if you have an alarm system, actually use it.
I know people who have alarms and just… never arm them. What’s the point of paying for it if you’re not going to use it?
But even if you don’t have an alarm, get one of those alarm company signs for your yard.
Yeah, I said it. Even without the actual system, the sign itself is a deterrent.
Will it stop someone who’s really determined? Probably not. But remember, criminals are looking for easy targets. That sign might be enough to send them somewhere else.
Conclusion
Look, I’m not going to pretend that doing these five things makes your home completely burglar-proof. Nothing does that short of moving into a vault.
But that’s not really the goal anyway.
The goal is to be secure enough that someone looking for an opportunity decides your house isn’t worth the hassle.
Most of these improvements are cheap.
Some are literally free. And together, they create layers of security that make a real difference.
Start with one or two. Walk around your property and improve visibility.
Add a few motion lights. Reinforce your front door. See how it feels. Then add more as you go.
Because at the end of the day, protecting your home isn’t about living in fear.
It’s about sleeping better at night knowing you’ve done what you can. And that peace of mind? That’s worth way more than the cost of a few deadbolts and cameras.
