A Simple Home Security Checklist

Most home security is about making your home look and feel like more trouble than it is worth. You do not need expensive equipment to start; a slow walk around the house with this list is a good first step. Work room by room, fix the easy things first, and note anything that needs a repair or a conversation with a landlord.

The suggestions below are general practical steps. Local building and rental rules vary, and nothing here is a security audit or a promise that a home cannot be broken into.

Doors

• Check that exterior doors are solid and close fully, and that the locks work smoothly. A lock that is loose, stiff, or does not latch is worth repairing promptly.
• Get into the routine of locking doors even when you are home, including the door from a garage into the house.
• Do not hide a spare key under the mat, a flowerpot, or a nearby stone. Leave one with someone you trust instead, or use a lockbox whose code you control.
• If you have a sliding glass door, a sturdy rod or bar in the track makes it much harder to force open. Check that the latch actually holds.
• A peephole, a door viewer, or a video doorbell can help you see who is there before you open the door. You are not obliged to open the door to an unexpected visitor.
• When someone moves out, or when you have had keys copied for a guest or a contractor, review who still has a key and change the locks if you are no longer sure.

If someone unexpected arrives claiming to be from a utility company or a delivery service and asks to come in, you can keep the door closed and call the company on a number you already have — not a number the visitor provides — to check. If you feel unsafe, do not open the door, and call 911 if you need help.

Windows

• Make sure every window latch closes, including upstairs and basement windows. A forgotten basement or side window is an easy miss on a walk-through.
• Do not leave ladders, bins, or tools outside where they could be used to reach a window.
• On ground-floor or easily reached windows, simple extra measures such as a ventilating lock or a dowel in the track can limit how far a window opens while you are out. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and do not block a fire escape route.
• If a window is cracked, does not lock, or has a rotting frame, treat that as a repair, not a cosmetic issue.

Lighting and visibility

• Light the entrances and paths. Motion-sensor lights are an inexpensive option and mean you are not walking up to a dark door.
• Trim shrubs near doors and windows so they do not offer hiding places, and keep house numbers visible so emergency services can find you.
• Inside, timers or smart plugs that turn a lamp on in the evening can make an empty home look occupied. This is a supplement to locked doors, not a substitute.

Routines

• When you will be away, avoid announcing the trip publicly online until you are home again, and ask a neighbor to collect mail or deliveries so they do not pile up.
• Stop regular deliveries, or have them held, if you will be gone long enough for a stack of packages to advertise an empty house.
• Keep a simple list of serial numbers and photos of valuables, stored somewhere other than your home — for example a secure cloud folder or a copy at a trusted person’s house.
• Know where your main water, gas and electricity shut-offs are, and how to turn them off. A flashlight nearby helps if you have to do this in the dark.
• If you have a garage or shed, lock it. Tools and bicycles are often easier to take than items inside the house, and an unlocked shed can also provide tools that help with a break-in.

If you rent

Talk to your landlord before changing locks, drilling, or fitting new hardware. Many leases require permission for that kind of work, and you may be asked to provide a key. You can still follow the routines on this list — locking up, watching lighting, arranging for mail — without altering the property. If a lock, latch, or exterior light is broken, report it in writing and keep a copy of the request.

A short walk-through

Once or twice a year, walk the outside of the home at dusk and again in daylight. Check doors, windows, lights, ladders, and anything that has been left out. Inside, test that the locks you rely on still work, and confirm that everyone in the household knows how to lock up and where the spare key lives. When you come back from a trip, take the same look around before you settle in.

If you live in a building with shared entrances, treat the lobby door with the same care as your own: do not hold it open for people you do not know, and do not buzz someone in because they say they are a guest of another resident. Report a broken entrance lock to the building manager the same way you would report a problem with your own door.

If you want a more formal assessment, some local police departments and fire services offer free or low-cost home safety visits. Ask them what they recommend for your area. For fires, smoke alarms, and a household plan, see our guide to making a household emergency plan.

iDefenses provides general information only. It is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. Reading this site does not create a lawyer–client relationship.