11 Simple Ways to Secure Your New Home

Your new home should have some form of a security system, whether it’s a basic DIY system or one that comes with professional monitoring and home automation features. Today there are plenty of home security options for every budget and every level of protection.

To choose a system that you’re comfortable with, Dr. Stickle recommends evaluating the needs of your neighborhood and your house. "Once you know the likely risks," he explains, "evaluate your home to see what is needed to protect it." 

You can contact your local police department for neighborhood crime statistics and help doing a home security evaluation of your home.​

Here are some quick reinforcements we recommend to help you shore up these vital entryways.

• Install a deadbolt. 
• Add a strike plate.
• Upgrade to smart locks.
• Boost security with a video doorbell.
• Secure the mail slot.

According to theft expert Dr. Ben Stickle, windows are "a common entry point for criminals" and may be left shut but unlocked by the previous homeowner. Plus, manufacturer latches on windows aren’t always effective—and sometimes they’re downright flimsy.

If you don’t like the looks of your window latches, beef up security with aftermarket window locks or key-operated levers. But you don’t have to stop there.

We have some other good ideas to help make your windows burglar-proof.

• Reinforce glass with window security film.
• Install window sensors or glass break sensors.
• Add window bars.
• Plant prickly bushes under first-floor windows (but be sure to keep them trimmed).

Vandals, burglars, and other criminals don’t like to be in the spotlight. Keep them at bay with ample outdoor lighting. Place lights around your front and back yards, along pathways, and near the garage and other outdoor structures. Not only will you make intruders skittish, you’ll also cut down your risk of a stumble on your way up the front steps.

Make your outdoor security lights even more effective with these tips:

• Use motion-activated lights.
• Save energy with solar-powered lights.
• Use a smart outlet to put outdoor lights on a timer.
• Set up schedules with smart light bulbs.

This entry point to your home is becoming more popular with criminals. And even if they can’t access your house, chances are you have plenty of good stuff stored in the garage. Make it a habit to lock all doors to the garage—both interior and exterior.

You may also consider keeping your garage door opener in the house. That way, a burglar can’t grab it out of your car. And if you use a security code to open the garage, make sure you keep it secret and never enter it in front of delivery people, neighbors, or anyone else.

Here are some more easy ways to secure the garage.

• Upgrade to a smart garage door opener.
• Cover windows to hide the goodies inside.
• Secure garage doors with extra locks.
• Use home automation—and never leave the garage door open again.
• Install a driveway alarm.

Your home wireless network is a doorway to your personal and financial information. And if you use home automation, it can also make your house vulnerable to a break-in. If your Wi-Fi network is connected to smart home gadgets or your security system, it could give criminals direct access to your home.

But you don't have to leave yourself vulnerable. Use our tips and tricks to keep hackers off your home network.

• Secure your wireless router.
• Enable WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) or WPA2 encryption.
• Rename and hide your home network.
• Use a firewall.
• Install antivirus and anti-malware protection.
• Create strong passwords.
• Using a virtual private network (VPN) is one of the best ways to secure your internet connection

Trees and shrubs may give your house curb appeal, but they also give burglars a handy place to hide. Trim down trees and plants close to your home that could be used for cover. Opt for smaller flowers and bushes instead. If you have trees near windows, either remove them or reinforce those windows with extra security.

And don’t neglect the rest of your home’s exterior. Use these best practices to keep things locked up tight.

• Always put away stools and ladders.
• Lock gates, sheds, and other outdoor buildings.
• Don’t tempt thieves by leaving pricey goods on display in the yard.
• Add security signs and stickers—even if you don't have a security system.

Learn other tips and tricks for burglar-proofing your backyard.

Check out our other must-have features:

• Motion detection
• Night vision
• Wi-Fi capability
• Two-way talk
• Local or cloud storage
• Weatherproof casing for outdoor cameras

Follow these suggestions to get the most protection from your safe:

• Look for safes with redundant locks (that’s two locks on one safe).
• Select the right size safe for the valuables you want to protect.
• Decide if you want a portable safe or one that’s anchored.

If you’ve been tempted to turn your regular house into a smart home, security is one compelling reason to follow through. Home automation gives you remote (or scheduled) control of lights, door locks, security cameras, smoke alarms, and other safety devices. You can get real-time alerts about suspicious activity so you can respond quickly and thwart potential thieves.

Here are some of our favorite ways to use home automation to increase security:

• Schedule lights (and your TV) to turn on and off when you’re on vacation.
• Scare away porch pirates with two-way talk through a smart doorbell.
• Get an instant video feed whenever someone walks up your driveway.
• Check on a smoke or CO alarm and cancel false alarms from your smartphone.

Do what you can to prevent a fire in your new home.

• Inspect current fire alarms and CO detectors to make sure they're working.
• Install new detectors where necessary.
• Check the charge and expiration date on current fire extinguishers.
• Buy new fire extinguishers if necessary.
• Call a professional chimney inspector before using the fireplace. Here are some more fireplace safety tips.

Don't forget to make a new fire exit plan based on your home's layout, complete with fire escape ladders for second-story bedrooms.