Short answer: start with the door or window you would use if you were locked out. Fix the easy access, make the entrance visible, add an alert only where it helps, and keep every fire exit usable. A layered plan can make entry harder and give you earlier warning, but no product or checklist can guarantee that a burglary or violent incident will not happen.
A 15-minute home-security audit
Walk around the home in daylight, then repeat the check after dark. Do not publish the results or put access details in a shared online note. For each exterior door, accessible window, garage connection and shared-building entrance, record:
- whether it closes and locks without being forced;
- whether the frame, strike, latch or track moves when gently tested;
- whether the entrance is hidden by shrubs, fencing or darkness;
- whether keys, valuables, tools or ladders are visible or reachable;
- which door or window is part of the household fire-escape plan; and
- whether an existing alarm, light or camera still works and has a charged battery.
Seattle Police recommends beginning with the question, “If I were locked out, where could I get in?” and then securing those entries. That is a more useful first purchase test than buying a camera or kit before finding the weak point.
Choose the first layer that fixes a real gap
| Gap found | Start here | Check before buying |
|---|---|---|
| Unlocked or poorly fitting entry | Change the household routine; repair the latch or frame | Lease terms, door material, fire code and who can install it |
| Weak hinged exterior door | Have the strike, frame, hinges and deadbolt assessed as one system | Screw depth is not universal; avoid glass, wiring and incompatible frames |
| Sliding door or accessible window moves in its track | Use a compatible secondary lock or track device | It must not block a required emergency exit |
| Dark or concealed entrance | Trim cover and aim a modest light at the approach | Glare, neighbors, wildlife, weather rating and rental permission |
| You need an alert, not remote video | Consider a simple door/window contact alarm | Audibility, false alarms, battery checks and household accessibility |
| You need to see or record an entrance | Compare a doorbell or exterior camera | Privacy, field of view, updates, storage fees, account security and local rules |
| You want dispatch or professional monitoring | Compare written alarm-system proposals | Contract term, cancellation, backup power, permits, false-alarm fees and response process |
1. Make locking up the default
Close and lock exterior doors, accessible windows, garage doors and the door between an attached garage and the home. Move spare keys from predictable outdoor hiding places. Keep keys, bags and high-value items away from glazing, letter slots and pet doors. Secure ladders and tools that could provide access or be used to force an entry.
For a rental or shared building, report a door that does not latch, a broken lobby closer or failed exterior light in writing. Do not drill, change a common lock or install a device that affects other residents without permission.
2. Treat the door, frame and lock as one system
A strong lock cannot compensate for a split frame, loose strike, hollow or damaged door, exposed hinge problem, or glass that lets someone reach the hardware. Seattle Police advises anchoring strike plates and frames to the home’s main construction and using doors and deadbolts that resist force. Exact hardware and fastener choices depend on the door, frame and construction; inspect first and use a qualified installer when you cannot identify what is behind the trim.
Homeowners comparing a purpose-built reinforcement kit can review the Door Armor single-door kit. This is an affiliate link, not a tested recommendation. Confirm the exact door configuration, included parts, installation requirements, return terms and whether modification could affect a lease, warranty, accessibility or fire rating. Availability and price can change.
3. Add a second layer to sliding doors and accessible windows
Test whether a sliding panel can be lifted or moved even when its latch is set. A correctly sized track bar, pin or secondary lock may add resistance, but it must fit the specific assembly and must not create a trap. Prioritize ground-level and otherwise reachable windows, including upper windows accessible from a roof, tree, fence or stored ladder.
Fire-escape gate: NFPA says security bars on doors or windows used for escape need emergency-release devices that can be opened immediately from inside. Everyone who may need the route must be able to operate it. Never trade a usable exit for burglary resistance.
4. Improve visibility without creating glare
Trim vegetation that hides doors and accessible windows. Move bins, furniture and ladders that create climbing access. Use lighting to reveal the approach and help a resident see who is outside; aim and shield it so glare does not blind the viewer or spill unnecessarily into neighboring property. A timer can make ordinary interior lighting more consistent while the household is away, but it does not prove occupancy or guarantee deterrence.
5. Use simple alarms where someone can act on them
A contact, vibration or door-stop alarm can add warning without a subscription. Before buying, decide who must hear it, what that person should do, how often the battery will be checked and whether pets, children or normal door movement will trigger nuisance alarms. Test the alarm from sleeping areas and with doors closed. An alarm is useful only if the household recognizes it and has a response plan.
6. Secure connected cameras as well as the doorway
A camera may help a resident check an entrance or preserve a record, but it adds an internet-connected account and may capture neighbors or public space. The FTC recommends looking for encrypted video and accounts, changing default credentials, using a unique password and two-factor authentication, installing updates, securing the router, and considering a separate network for cameras. Review who can see live and stored video, how long recordings remain, and whether remote viewing can be disabled.
Place cameras around entrances rather than private household spaces. Check lease, association and local privacy rules before recording shared areas or audio. A visible camera is not a substitute for a door that closes and locks.
7. Compare monitored systems by the whole obligation
Get written estimates and compare installation, monitoring, backup power, warranty, repair responsibility, contract length, price changes, cancellation and moving terms. The FTC also advises asking local police and fire departments about registration and false-alarm fees. Record what happens after an alarm: who calls whom, when authorities are contacted, and what happens if the company cannot reach you.
8. Reduce what is visible and improve recovery records
Keep expensive items and packaging out of view from doors and windows. Photograph valuable property and record model and serial numbers in a protected inventory stored away from the items themselves. Use delivery holds, lockers or a trusted neighbor when packages would otherwise sit outside. These steps do not prevent entry, but they can reduce easy targeting and make an accurate report or insurance claim easier.
9. Build a neighbor and away-from-home routine
Know how to contact a trusted neighbor without creating an informal patrol or confrontation plan. When away, arrange for mail, packages, bins, yard care and snow to follow a normal pattern. Share travel details only with people who need them. Never ask a neighbor to enter or investigate if there may be a burglary in progress.
10. Write the response plan before an alarm sounds
- Call 911 for a crime in progress or immediate danger; state the location first.
- If you return to signs of forced entry, remain outside and do not disturb the scene.
- Choose a place to move away from danger and a way to account for household members.
- Teach children how to call for help without assigning them a security role.
- Keep fire routes clear and practice the household escape plan.
- Test locks, lights, alarms and account access on a recurring calendar reminder.
Print this priority list
- Fix the exterior door or accessible window that does not close and lock correctly.
- Remove visible keys, valuables, tools and climbing aids.
- Restore visibility and lighting at the weakest entrance.
- Confirm that every designated fire exit opens quickly from inside.
- Add one compatible layer—reinforcement, secondary lock or alarm—only after identifying the gap.
- Secure camera and alarm accounts with updates, unique passwords and two-factor authentication where offered.
- Write and practice the response and fire-escape plans.
Sources and research limits
- Seattle Police: Home Security and Burglary Prevention
- National Fire Protection Association: Home fire escape planning
- Federal Trade Commission: How to secure home security cameras
- Federal Trade Commission: Shopping for a home security system
This guide was researched from public guidance and current product pages. Secrets of Survival did not install, force-test or otherwise physically test the linked door-reinforcement kit, and does not claim that any measure will prevent a crime. Product availability, prices, local codes, leases and alarm rules vary.
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