Home Security

Whether you are moving into a new place or just doing an annual safety audit, a structured checklist is the best way to spot "soft spots" in your home's defense.
To make your list even more effective, I’ve organized a comprehensive checklist that balances physical hardware with modern digital security.
Entry Points & Perimeter
The goal here is to eliminate hiding spots and reinforce physical barriers.
Check all locks: Ensure every exterior door has a deadbolt with at least a 1-inch throw.
Reinforce the "strike plate": Use 3-inch screws to secure the strike plate into the wall stud, making the door much harder to kick in.
Sliding Door Security: Place a security bar (a "Charlie bar") or a heavy wooden dowel in the track to prevent the door from being pried open.
Landscaping: Follow the 3/7 Rule—keep shrubs trimmed to 3 feet or lower and tree canopies limbed up to 7 feet to eliminate hiding spots.
Lighting: Install motion-activated floodlights at all entry points and use smart bulbs to randomize indoor lighting when you’re away.
Technology & Monitoring
Your system needs active maintenance.
Monthly Sensor Test: Walk through your home and trigger every window and door sensor to ensure the battery and connection are still active.
Camera Placement: Ensure cameras cover the "main three": the front door, back door, and any street-level windows.
Smart Lock Hygiene: Delete any "guest codes" that were given to contractors, former roommates, or cleaners who no longer need access.
Firmware Updates: Check your security hub and cameras for software updates; these often contain critical patches for newly discovered hacks.
Digital & Network Security
Since many modern security tools are Wi-Fi dependent, your router is essentially your "digital front door."
Secure the Router: Change your SSID (network name) to something that doesn't identify your name or address, and use WPA3 encryption if available.
IoT Isolation: If your router supports it, put your "smart" devices (cameras, lights, fridge) on a Guest Network so they can't be used as a gateway to your personal computers.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA on your security system app so that even if someone gets your password, they can't disarm your home.
Daily Habits & "Away" Mode
The "9 PM Routine": Set a phone alert for 9:00 PM every night to check that the garage is closed and all doors are locked.
Package Management: If you aren't home, use a porch lockbox or have packages delivered to a secure locker to prevent "porch pirating."
Social Media Privacy: Avoid posting "live" updates while on vacation; wait until you are back home to share those sunset photos.
Here is a customized "Vacation Mode" checklist specifically for when you're traveling for a week or more.
When you're heading out for a week or more, your home shouldn't just be locked—it should look lived-in. This checklist focuses on tricking the "casual observer" while ensuring your home's infrastructure is safe from accidents.
The "Lived-In" Illusion
Burglars look for signs of absence. Neutralize these cues before you pull out of the driveway.
Mail & Deliveries: Use the USPS "Hold Mail" service or ask a neighbor to grab flyers and packages. A pile of mail is the #1 giveaway.
Smart Lighting Scenes: Instead of leaving one porch light on 24/7, use smart bulbs to create a "routine" that mimics your real habits (e.g., kitchen lights on at 6:00 PM, bedroom lights on at 10:00 PM).
The Garbage Can Trick: If you’ll be gone on trash day, ask a neighbor to put your bin out and bring it back in. An empty curb on a neighborhood-wide trash day stands out.
Driveway Activity: If possible, have a neighbor park their second car in your driveway occasionally.
Energy & Utility Protection
Preventing "internal" disasters is just as important as preventing break-ins.
Main Water Shut-off: For trips over 3 days, consider turning off the main water valve. This prevents a burst pipe or a leaky toilet from flooding your home while you're away.
The "Quarter on a Cup" Trick: Place a cup of water in the freezer until frozen, then put a quarter on top. If the quarter is at the bottom when you return, you’ll know the power was out long enough for food to spoil.
Unplug Non-Essentials: Unplug TVs, coffee makers, and computers. This protects them from power surges and eliminates "vampire" energy draw.
HVAC Settings: Don't turn the AC/Heat off entirely. Set it to a "safety" temp (e.g., 55°F in winter or 78°F in summer) to prevent pipes from freezing or mold from growing.
Final Lockdown & Tech Prep
Garage Door Disconnect: Engage the manual lock on your garage door or "lock out" the remote signals at the wall console to prevent "code grabbing" hacks.
Spare Key Retrieval: If you have a key hidden under a fake rock or doormat, bring it inside. Professional thieves know all the common hiding spots.
Notifications On: Ensure your security system is set to "Away" and that your phone's "Do Not Disturb" mode allows emergency alerts from your security app.
The "5-Minute Exit" Cheat Sheet
All windows locked (check the upstairs ones too!)
Stove and oven confirmed OFF.
Security system armed.
All pet/house sitters have their unique entry codes.
Spare keys brought inside.