{"id":4216,"date":"2026-11-05T18:04:13","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T18:04:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alarm-kit.com\/?p=4216"},"modified":"2026-11-05T18:04:20","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T18:04:20","slug":"how-to-secure-your-home-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alarm-kit.com\/en\/how-to-secure-your-home-2\/","title":{"rendered":"How to secure your home: room-by-room checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<!-- ============================================================\n  Alarm-Kit blog post 2: How to Secure Your Home\n  Paste into ONE \"Custom HTML\" block in WordPress.\n  WordPress post title (H1): How to Secure Your Home: A Room-by-Room Checklist\n  Slug: how-to-secure-your-home\n  SEO title: How to Secure Your Home: Room-by-Room Checklist\n  Meta description: How to secure your home, room by room: free fixes, low-cost upgrades and the sensors that matter most. A printable checklist from an alarm installer.\n  ============================================================ -->\n\n<style>\n  .ak-post { line-height: 1.65; }\n  .ak-post .ak-quick { border-left: 4px solid #1a73e8; background: #f3f7fd; padding: 16px 20px; margin: 20px 0; border-radius: 6px; }\n  .ak-post .ak-tip { border-left: 4px solid #2e7d32; background: #f2f8f2; padding: 14px 18px; margin: 20px 0; border-radius: 6px; }\n  .ak-post .ak-table-wrap { overflow-x: auto; margin: 20px 0; }\n  .ak-post table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 0.95em; }\n  .ak-post th, .ak-post td { border: 1px solid #dcdcdc; padding: 10px 12px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; }\n  .ak-post th { background: #f5f5f5; font-weight: 600; }\n  .ak-post .ak-note { font-size: 0.88em; color: #555; font-style: italic; }\n  .ak-post .ak-cta { background: #f5f5f5; padding: 18px 20px; border-radius: 6px; margin: 28px 0; }\n  .ak-post .ak-meta { font-size: 0.9em; color: #555; }\n  .ak-post ul.ak-check { list-style: none; padding-left: 0; }\n  .ak-post ul.ak-check li { padding-left: 1.6em; position: relative; margin-bottom: 6px; }\n  .ak-post ul.ak-check li::before { content: \"\u2610\"; position: absolute; left: 0; }\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"ak-post\">\n\n<p class=\"ak-meta\"><em>By Patrick Denis, CTO, alarm installer and security consultant with 20 years of experience \u00b7 Last updated: November 5, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n<p>How to secure your home comes down to one idea: protect the places burglars actually use, in the order they use them. This checklist goes room by room, starting with the free fixes, then the cheap upgrades, then the sensors worth adding.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"ak-quick\">\n  <p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> To secure your home, start where burglars get in: the front door, first-floor windows and the back door, which together account for about 79% of break-ins (ADT data reported by CE Pro, 2023). Reinforce door strike plates with 3-inch screws, lock and pin every window, light the outside, then put sensors and a loud alarm on those same entry points.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<p><strong>Key takeaways<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n  <li><strong>Doors first:<\/strong> the front door alone is the entry point in about 34% of break-ins (ADT via CE Pro, 2023).<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Many burglaries need no force:<\/strong> in FBI data for 2019, 37.8% of burglaries were unlawful entries without force, meaning something was left open or unlocked.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Free fixes go a long way:<\/strong> longer strike-plate screws, trimmed bushes and locked windows cost little or nothing.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Alarms deter:<\/strong> in a UNC Charlotte survey of 422 convicted burglars (2013), 60% said they would pick another target if a home had an alarm.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Sensors go where the risk is:<\/strong> doors, ground-floor windows, sliding doors and the main hallway, in that order.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 id=\"how-burglars-get-in\">How do burglars get into homes?<\/h2>\n\n<p>Most burglars get into a home through a door or a ground-floor window, and many simply use one that was left unlocked. Knowing the usual entry points tells you where to spend your time and money first.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"ak-table-wrap\">\n<table>\n  <thead>\n    <tr><th>Entry point<\/th><th>Share of break-ins<\/th><\/tr>\n  <\/thead>\n  <tbody>\n    <tr><td>Front door<\/td><td>34%<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><td>First-floor window<\/td><td>23%<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><td>Back door<\/td><td>22%<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><td>Garage door<\/td><td>9%<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><td>Unlocked entrances (sheds, storage)<\/td><td>6%<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><td>Basement<\/td><td>4%<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><td>Second-floor window<\/td><td>2%<\/td><\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"ak-note\">Source: ADT burglary data, as reported by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cepro.com\/security\/where-most-home-break-ins-occur\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CE Pro<\/a> (September 2023).<\/p>\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/ucr.fbi.gov\/crime-in-the-u.s\/2019\/crime-in-the-u.s.-2019\/topic-pages\/burglary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FBI&#8217;s 2019 crime report<\/a> counted about 1.1 million burglaries. 62.8% of them were residential, and the average loss was $2,661 per burglary. Forcible entry was used in 55.7% of cases, while 37.8% were entries without force.<\/p>\n\n<p>Burglars also check for alarms. In the <a href=\"https:\/\/inside.charlotte.edu\/news-features\/2013-05-15\/through-eyes-burglar-study-provides-insights-habits-and-motivations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">UNC Charlotte study<\/a> of 422 incarcerated burglars (2013), about 83% said they would try to find out whether a home had an alarm before breaking in. Half said they would leave if they discovered one during the attempt.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"home-security-checklist\">The home security checklist (room by room)<\/h2>\n\n<p>This home security checklist ranks each area by priority: 1 means do it this week, 3 means do it when you can. Every row has a free fix, so you can start today without buying anything.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"ak-table-wrap\">\n<table>\n  <thead>\n    <tr><th>Area<\/th><th>Free fix<\/th><th>Low-cost fix<\/th><th>Sensor to add<\/th><th>Priority<\/th><\/tr>\n  <\/thead>\n  <tbody>\n    <tr><td>Front door<\/td><td>Lock it every time, even when you&#8217;re home<\/td><td>3\u20134 inch screws in the strike plate and hinges<\/td><td>Door sensor + keypad<\/td><td>1<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><td>Back and side doors<\/td><td>Keep locked; don&#8217;t hide a key outside<\/td><td>Deadbolt with a 1-inch throw<\/td><td>Door sensor<\/td><td>1<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><td>First-floor windows<\/td><td>Lock them; close them when you leave<\/td><td>Window pins or lift locks<\/td><td>Window sensor or glass-break sensor<\/td><td>1<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><td>Sliding glass door<\/td><td>Bar or dowel in the bottom track<\/td><td>Anti-lift screws in the upper track<\/td><td>Door sensor + glass-break sensor<\/td><td>1<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><td>Garage<\/td><td>Keep the garage door closed<\/td><td>Deadbolt on the door into the house; track pin<\/td><td>Door sensor on the garage door<\/td><td>2<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><td>Outside<\/td><td>Trim bushes and trees; put ladders away<\/td><td>Dusk-to-dawn and motion lights<\/td><td>Outdoor siren<\/td><td>2<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><td>Inside (hallway, stairs)<\/td><td>Keep valuables out of sight from windows<\/td><td>\u2014<\/td><td>Motion sensor on the main path<\/td><td>2<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><td>Basement and upper windows<\/td><td>Lock them<\/td><td>Window pins<\/td><td>Window sensor if reachable<\/td><td>3<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><td>Kitchen, laundry, bathrooms<\/td><td>Check hoses and pipes yearly<\/td><td>\u2014<\/td><td>Water leak sensors<\/td><td>3<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><td>Bedrooms and hallways<\/td><td>Test smoke alarms monthly<\/td><td>Replace alarms over 10 years old<\/td><td>Smoke and CO detectors<\/td><td>1<\/td><\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"ak-note\">Tip: print this page and tick off each row as you go.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"outside-your-home\">Outside your home: light, sightlines and deterrents<\/h2>\n\n<p>The outside of your home should make it hard to approach unseen and obvious that the home is protected. Good lighting, low bushes and a visible alarm do most of that work.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"ak-check\">\n  <li><strong>Light every entrance.<\/strong> Tucson Police recommend lights at the front, back and carport, left on all night with dusk-to-dawn (photocell) fixtures so they don&#8217;t show whether you&#8217;re home. Add motion-activated lights to side yards and other hidden areas.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Trim the landscaping.<\/strong> The same <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucsonaz.gov\/files\/sharedassets\/public\/v\/1\/community-safety-and-courts\/tucson-police-department\/documents\/nhw_home_security_booklet.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tucson Police home security booklet<\/a> advises trimming trees up to 6 feet from the ground and keeping bushes at 3 feet or lower, below windowsill level.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Put away anything that helps a burglar:<\/strong> ladders, tools and garden furniture that could reach a window.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Show that the home is protected.<\/strong> An alarm sign and a visible <a href=\"https:\/\/alarm-kit.com\/store\/security-devices\/sirens-alarm-sounders\/wireless-outdoor-siren-alarm-120db\/\">outdoor alarm siren<\/a> tell a burglar checking the house that an alarm is there. Alarm-Kit&#8217;s wireless outdoor siren is rated at 120 dB.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 id=\"secure-your-doors\">Front and back doors: make them hard to kick in<\/h2>\n\n<p>A door is only as strong as its frame, so securing your doors starts with the strike plate and hinges, not the lock. In our experience, kicked-in doors usually fail at the frame, where short screws hold the strike plate to a thin door jamb.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"ak-check\">\n  <li><strong>Use long screws.<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seattle.gov\/documents\/Departments\/Police\/Prevention\/Home_Security_Door_Security.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Seattle Police Department<\/a> recommends replacing the short strike-plate screws with 3 to 4 inch wood screws that reach the wall stud, and using at least one long screw in each hinge.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Check the deadbolt.<\/strong> Seattle Police recommend a deadbolt throw (the bolt that slides out) of at least 1 inch.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Repair worn frames.<\/strong> A cracked or soft frame should be replaced and anchored to the wall stud.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>No spare key under the mat.<\/strong> Give one to a neighbor you trust, or use a keypad.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Add a door sensor.<\/strong> A <a href=\"https:\/\/alarm-kit.com\/store\/security-devices\/door-window-sensors\/wireless-door-window-sensor\/\">wireless door and window sensor<\/a> triggers the alarm the moment the door opens, before anyone is inside.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Put a keypad near the main door.<\/strong> An <a href=\"https:\/\/alarm-kit.com\/store\/security-devices\/access-control\/wireless-touch-keypad-alarm\/\">alarm keypad<\/a> with RFID tags lets each family member arm and disarm without sharing a code.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<div class=\"ak-tip\">\n  <p><strong>Installer tip:<\/strong> mount the door sensor on the frame and its magnet on the door, on the side opposite the hinges. That&#8217;s the side that opens first, so the alarm triggers at the first few millimeters of movement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 id=\"secure-your-windows\">Windows: lock, pin and detect<\/h2>\n\n<p>First-floor windows are the second most common entry point, so every reachable window needs a lock that works and a way to detect a break-in. Window latches alone are easy to pry, which is why pins and sensors matter.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"ak-check\">\n  <li><strong>Lock every window<\/strong>, including small ones in bathrooms and basements.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Pin double-hung windows.<\/strong> Tucson Police describe drilling a hole at a slight downward angle through both sashes and inserting a sturdy pin, so the window can&#8217;t be opened from outside.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Add lift locks to sliding windows<\/strong>, or two panhead screws in the upper track, so the window can&#8217;t be lifted out.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Keep an escape route.<\/strong> Tucson Police warn against screws or bolts that would stop you from opening a window in an emergency. Use removable pins.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Choose the right sensor.<\/strong> A window sensor detects opening. A <a href=\"https:\/\/alarm-kit.com\/no-monthly-fee-home-security-systems\/security-devices\/glass-break-vibration-sensors\/\">glass break sensor<\/a> detects the sound or vibration of breaking glass, so it covers windows that someone smashes instead of opening. One acoustic glass-break sensor can cover several windows in the same room.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 id=\"how-to-secure-a-sliding-glass-door\">How to secure a sliding glass door<\/h2>\n\n<p>To secure a sliding glass door, stop it from sliding with a bar in the track, stop it from being lifted out with screws in the upper track, and add a sensor. Older sliding doors can often be lifted off their track even when locked, which is why the anti-lift step matters.<\/p>\n\n<ol>\n  <li><strong>Block the track.<\/strong> Put a security bar or a wooden dowel cut to length in the bottom track. Tucson Police note this works only on doors that slide on the inside track.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Stop lifting.<\/strong> Install panhead screws in the upper track about 2 feet apart, tightened so the door can just barely slide past them (Tucson Police).<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Add a pin.<\/strong> A pin through the frame where the two panels overlap keeps the door from sliding. Drill only through the frame, never the glass: Tucson Police warn that tempered glass often shatters when drilled.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Add a door sensor<\/strong> on the moving panel, so you&#8217;re alerted the moment it opens.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Add a glass-break sensor<\/strong> in the room. A sliding door is a large pane of glass, and a sensor that hears breaking glass covers that risk.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<h2 id=\"garage-and-shed\">Garage and shed<\/h2>\n\n<p>The garage is the entry point in about 9% of break-ins (ADT via CE Pro, 2023), and it often leads straight into the house. Treat the door between the garage and the house like a front door.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"ak-check\">\n  <li><strong>Keep the garage door closed<\/strong>, even when you&#8217;re working in the yard.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Deadbolt the inside door.<\/strong> Seattle Police recommend deadbolts on doors that lead from the garage into the home.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Lock the track when you&#8217;re away.<\/strong> Tucson Police suggest a pin or padlock through the garage door track, and unplugging the opener during long absences, because remote openers can be opened by others on the same frequency.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Lock sheds and outbuildings<\/strong>, and don&#8217;t store ladders or tools in them that could be used against the house.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Cover far buildings.<\/strong> A garage or shed beyond WiFi range needs a sensor with a long-range radio. Alarm-Kit&#8217;s LoRa sensors and Standy Pro LoRa hub are built for this and don&#8217;t need home WiFi.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 id=\"inside-your-home\">Inside your home: motion sensors and the main path<\/h2>\n\n<p>Inside the home, one motion sensor on the main path, usually the hallway or the bottom of the stairs, catches most intruders who got past the doors and windows. You don&#8217;t need a sensor in every room.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"ak-check\">\n  <li><strong>Place a <a href=\"https:\/\/alarm-kit.com\/no-monthly-fee-home-security-systems\/security-devices\/motion-detectors\/\">motion sensor alarm<\/a> where every route crosses:<\/strong> the main hallway, the stairs, or the living room next to the back door.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Mount it in a corner<\/strong> at the height given in its manual, looking across the room rather than straight at a doorway.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Avoid false alarms:<\/strong> don&#8217;t point a motion sensor at a window, a heater or a fireplace. Changes in heat and sunlight can trigger the passive infrared (PIR) sensors most systems use.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Keep valuables out of view<\/strong> from windows: laptops, bags and car keys near the door.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<div class=\"ak-tip\">\n  <p><strong>Installer tip:<\/strong> if you have a dog or cat, check whether the motion sensor is rated &#8220;pet immune&#8221; for your pet&#8217;s weight before you buy, and arm only the downstairs sensors at night.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 id=\"fire-co-and-water\">Fire, CO and water: the other half of home safety<\/h2>\n\n<p>A secure home is also protected against fire, carbon monoxide and water damage, which can cost more than a burglary. The same alarm hub can watch for all three.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"ak-check\">\n  <li><strong>Smoke alarms:<\/strong> the NFPA recommends one in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, tested monthly and replaced every 10 years. A <a href=\"https:\/\/alarm-kit.com\/store\/security-devices\/smoke-co-detectors\/wireless-smoke-detector\/\">wireless smoke detector<\/a> connected to your alarm can also alert your phone.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Carbon monoxide alarms<\/strong> belong outside each sleeping area and on every level if you have gas appliances, a fireplace or an attached garage (NFPA). Follow the manufacturer&#8217;s instructions and your local code.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Water leaks:<\/strong> put <a href=\"https:\/\/alarm-kit.com\/no-monthly-fee-home-security-systems\/security-devices\/flood-leak-sensors\/\">water leak detectors<\/a> under the water heater, the washing machine and the kitchen and bathroom sinks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 id=\"while-you-are-away\">How to secure your home while you&#8217;re away<\/h2>\n\n<p>While you&#8217;re away, the goal is to make the home look lived in and to know immediately if something happens. A few minutes of preparation before a trip covers both.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"ak-check\">\n  <li>Hold your mail with the USPS Hold Mail service, or ask a neighbor to collect it.<\/li>\n  <li>Put indoor lights on timers, and keep the outside lights on dusk-to-dawn sensors.<\/li>\n  <li>Don&#8217;t post travel photos in real time on public social media.<\/li>\n  <li>Unplug the garage door opener and pin the track (Tucson Police).<\/li>\n  <li>Arm the alarm, then test that the alerts reach your phone before you leave.<\/li>\n  <li>Give a trusted neighbor a key and your number, so they can check if you get an alert.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 id=\"home-security-tips-for-renters\">Home security tips for renters<\/h2>\n\n<p>Renters can secure an apartment or rented house without drilling or losing the deposit. The answer is portable security: bars, adhesive-mounted wireless sensors and an alarm you take with you when you move.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"ak-check\">\n  <li>Ask the landlord to rekey or change the locks when you move in.<\/li>\n  <li>Use a removable security bar on sliding doors.<\/li>\n  <li>Choose wireless sensors that mount with adhesive, so there are no holes to fill when you leave.<\/li>\n  <li>Pick an alarm with no contract, so moving doesn&#8217;t mean paying a cancellation fee. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/alarm-kit.com\/no-monthly-fee-home-security-systems\/no-monthly-fee-security-systems\/\">no monthly fee home security systems<\/a> move with you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 id=\"do-you-need-an-alarm-system\">Do you need an alarm system to secure your home?<\/h2>\n\n<p>You don&#8217;t need an alarm system to make your home much harder to break into: locks, strike plates, lighting and window pins come first. An alarm adds two things locks can&#8217;t: it detects a break-in and alerts you, and it deters burglars who check for one first.<\/p>\n\n<p>Even Tucson Police note that intrusion alarms are not always necessary, and that the need depends on your home&#8217;s risk and what you keep in it. If you do add one, put the sensors on the entry points in this checklist, and make sure alerts reach you even if the internet goes down. To compare monitoring options and fees, see <a href=\"https:\/\/alarm-kit.com\/how-much-does-a-home-security-system-cost\/\">how much a home security system costs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"faq\">FAQ<\/h2>\n\n<h3>What is the first thing to do to secure your home?<\/h3>\n<p>Secure the front door first, since it is the entry point in about 34% of break-ins (ADT via CE Pro, 2023). Replace the short strike-plate screws with 3 to 4 inch screws that reach the wall stud, make sure the deadbolt throws at least 1 inch, and lock the door every time, even when you&#8217;re home.<\/p>\n\n<h3>How can I secure my home without an alarm system?<\/h3>\n<p>You can secure your home without an alarm by reinforcing doors (long strike-plate screws, a solid deadbolt), pinning and locking windows, blocking sliding doors with a bar, lighting entrances with dusk-to-dawn lights and trimming bushes below windowsill level. These fixes cost little and make forced entry much harder.<\/p>\n\n<h3>How do I secure a sliding glass door?<\/h3>\n<p>Put a security bar or cut dowel in the bottom track, install panhead screws in the upper track so the door can&#8217;t be lifted out, and add a pin through the frame where the panels overlap. Never drill the glass. A door sensor and a glass-break sensor add detection.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Where do burglars break in most often?<\/h3>\n<p>Burglars most often enter through the front door (34%), a first-floor window (23%) or the back door (22%), according to ADT data reported by CE Pro (2023). Together these three account for about 79% of break-ins, which is why they should be secured first.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Do alarm systems really deter burglars?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes, for many burglars. In a 2013 UNC Charlotte survey of 422 incarcerated burglars, about 83% said they would check for an alarm before breaking in, 60% said they would choose another target if there was one, and half said they would leave if they discovered an alarm during the attempt.<\/p>\n\n<h3>How can renters secure their home without drilling?<\/h3>\n<p>Renters can use removable security bars on sliding doors, door wedges or portable door locks, adhesive-mounted wireless sensors and a no-contract alarm they can take with them. Ask the landlord to rekey the locks when you move in, and get permission before changing any hardware.<\/p>\n\n<h3>How do I secure my home while on vacation?<\/h3>\n<p>Hold your mail, put lights on timers, avoid posting your trip in real time, unplug the garage opener and pin the track, and ask a neighbor to keep an eye on the house. Arm your alarm and test that alerts reach your phone before you leave.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"ak-cta\">\n  <p><strong>Ready to add sensors where they count?<\/strong> Start with a <a href=\"https:\/\/alarm-kit.com\/store\/security-devices\/door-window-sensors\/wireless-door-window-sensor\/\">wireless door and window sensor<\/a> on each entry point, or compare our <a href=\"https:\/\/alarm-kit.com\/no-monthly-fee-home-security-systems\/no-monthly-fee-security-systems\/\">no monthly fee home security systems<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"ak-meta\"><strong>How we researched this:<\/strong> entry-point figures come from ADT burglary data as reported by CE Pro (September 2023); national burglary figures from the FBI&#8217;s Crime in the United States 2019 report; burglar behavior from the UNC Charlotte study of 422 incarcerated burglars (2013); door, window, sliding door and garage advice from the Seattle Police Department and Tucson Police Department crime-prevention guides; smoke alarm guidance from the NFPA. Installer tips come from our own installation experience.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"ak-meta\"><strong>About the author:<\/strong> Patrick Denis is CTO of Alarm-Kit, an alarm installer and security consultant with 20 years of experience installing and advising on residential and commercial alarm systems.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- ===================== JSON-LD SCHEMA ===================== -->\n<!-- If your SEO plugin (Yoast \/ Rank Math) already outputs Article schema for this post,\n     delete the \"BlogPosting\" object below and keep only \"FAQPage\". -->\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@graph\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"BlogPosting\",\n      \"headline\": \"How to Secure Your Home: A Room-by-Room Checklist\",\n      \"description\": \"How to secure your home, room by room: free fixes, low-cost upgrades and the sensors that matter most. 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These fixes cost little and make forced entry much harder.\" }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"How do I secure a sliding glass door?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Put a security bar or cut dowel in the bottom track, install panhead screws in the upper track so the door can't be lifted out, and add a pin through the frame where the panels overlap. Never drill the glass. A door sensor and a glass-break sensor add detection.\" }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"Where do burglars break in most often?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Burglars most often enter through the front door (34%), a first-floor window (23%) or the back door (22%), according to ADT data reported by CE Pro (2023). Together these three account for about 79% of break-ins, which is why they should be secured first.\" }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"Do alarm systems really deter burglars?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes, for many burglars. In a 2013 UNC Charlotte survey of 422 incarcerated burglars, about 83% said they would check for an alarm before breaking in, 60% said they would choose another target if there was one, and half said they would leave if they discovered an alarm during the attempt.\" }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"How can renters secure their home without drilling?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Renters can use removable security bars on sliding doors, door wedges or portable door locks, adhesive-mounted wireless sensors and a no-contract alarm they can take with them. 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