A Home Security Checklist to Secure Your Home

Home sweet home—the place where we kick back and relax after a long day of work, cook our favorite meals, and create cherished memories with loved ones.

There's just something about being at home that makes us feel safe and content. But as much as we love our homes, it's important to remember that they require our attention to ensure they remain a safe haven for us and our families.

In this guide, we'll provide a comprehensive home security checklist that covers all the important aspects of home safety.

Read on to find out more.

Family sitting on the couch and looking at their devices.

Home burglary statistics in the United States

Burglary trend figures are on the decline, though over 1 million home burglaries still happen annually in the U.S.

According to FBI Crime Data, an estimated 1.2 million burglary offenses occurred in 2019, resulting in an estimated $3.0 billion in property loss.

While that’s not exactly settling news, being informed can help you take measures to protect your home.

One key factor is knowing when burglaries are most likely to occur. Most property crimes occur during daylight hours and during the summer season.

But that doesn’t mean homeowners should let their guard down during other times of the year. Remember, burglars are on the lookout for easy targets (e.g., homes that appear unoccupied or have poor outdoor security measures in place).

Home security checklist

While we cannot guarantee emergencies won’t occur, we can try to prevent them from happening in the first place.

Here’s a safety checklist to help improve your home security and reduce the risk of burglary:

Consider a monitored home security system

When it comes to protecting your home and loved ones, a monitored home security system is one of the most effective options available.

Monitored security cameras are typically placed on your home’s exterior and interior to monitor the activity in the surrounding area and detect dangers 24/7.

Thanks to technology, homeowners can watch camera footage in real time, receive mobile alerts, and even remotely control their security systems.

Some security devices, like Vivint’s smart home security cameras, also come equipped with smart motion detectors that can deter criminal activity before it happens.

Couple standing together in the kitchen.

Place security cameras in the right places

No big surprise here: Most burglars enter homes through doors and windows.

We’re not telling you this to scare you but to emphasize the importance of placing security cameras in the right places.

Professional security camera installation by a reputable company like Vivint can be especially beneficial, as trained technicians can help you determine camera locations and ensure proper installation.

Strategically placing cameras at entry points and areas with high foot traffic can increase your chances of catching any criminal activity and deter potential burglars.

That said, it’s also important to cover the areas around the front and back doors and any other entry points, such as sliding doors, garage doors, and ground- or first-floor windows.

Install security sensors

A little prevention goes a long way in keeping your home safe and secure, and security sensors can do exactly that.

Vivint security sensors installed by our professionals keep a constant watch on your home’s doors and windows. If someone attempts to break in, an alarm will sound and you will receive an immediate alert.

The system will also notify Vivint's 24/7 monitoring specialists, who are ready to assist if needed.

For added safety, you can also install carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms, which can detect dangerous levels of gas or smoke and alert you to take action.

Keep areas well-lit

Keeping areas well-lit is an essential aspect of home security. After all, burglars don't want to be the star of the show.

Smart lighting can help by allowing you to control your lights remotely and set schedules for your lights to turn on and off—no matter where you are in the world (kudos to your mobile device).

Motion-sensor lighting is another great option, as it can surprise and startle anyone attempting to enter your property undetected. Plus, it makes it easier for you to see any suspicious activity around your home at night.

Properly secure your garage

A garage is like a second home. It provides space to park your car, store your grills and lawnmowers, and even set up a home gym.

But with all these valuables inside, it's also a prime target for burglars. Sadly, many homeowners tend to overlook garage security, making it one of the easiest entry points for criminals.

The good news is that there’s a way to properly secure your garage and prevent break-ins (and it’s not padlocks).

Thanks to Vivint’s smart garage door control, you can close your garage door with the tap of a button. And if you forgot about it, the Vivint app will send you a notification to remind you.

Keep valuables in a secure place

When it comes to protecting your most valuable items, “hide and seek” isn't just a game for kids.

In fact, keeping your belongings in a secure place (e.g., a safe box, vault, or hiding place within your home) is a smart move to protect them from theft or damage.

Opt for a safe with advanced security features (like biometric locks and fire-resistant materials) for added security.

Have a security plan for vacations

It's always fun to take a break from the daily grind and go on a vacation. But before you pack your bags and head out the door, ask yourself: have I created a security plan for my home while I'm away?

Leaving your home unattended for an extended period of time can leave it vulnerable to break-ins and other security threats. That's why taking a few extra precautions is essential to keep your property and valuables safe while you're away.

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Ensure your home security system works properly, including your doorbell camera, motion sensors, floodlights, and smoke detectors.
Ask a trusted neighbor or friend to periodically check on your home while you’re away.
Use timers on lights and electronics to create the illusion that someone is home.
Secure all exterior doors and windows.
Refrain from posting about your travels or extended absence on social media.
Ensure your house number is visible from the street (in case an emergency team has to find it).
Have fire extinguishers easily accessible throughout your home.

Check for and secure possible entry points

Locking doors and windows might sound like an obvious thing to do, but you might be surprised to know that 30% of burglaries occur with the intruder entering through an unlocked door (or a window with unsecured window locks).

This means homeowners should be extra vigilant when securing their homes.

And it's not just about locking the front door and setting the alarm system. Check for any potential entry points a burglar could exploit, such as sliding glass doors or dog doors.

One effective way to secure these entry points is by adding security sensors to your home security system. They’ll alert you if they detect any unusual activity, so you can call the authorities before a potential break-in happens.

Install good quality locks

It's surprising just how easily an intruder can break into a home with a standard lock.

Type "picking a lock" into a search engine for hundreds of articles explaining how to open doors without deadbolt locks—including the infamous credit card trick.

Before you start to worry, it's important to remember that not all locks are created equal.

Investing in a quality lock can make all the difference in keeping your home secure. And that’s where smart door locks come in.

Vivint smart locks provide keyless home access, allowing you to lock and unlock your front door remotely through your smartphone or the smart lock’s keypad.

This way, you can relax knowing your front door access is restricted to users with permission. Plus, you don't have to worry about accidentally locking yourself out or hiding spare keys under the doormat.