House Safety Tips

A practical home security checklist for single-family homes.

House Safety Tips

Before You Start

These options focus on small, practical changes inside and outside a home. You can choose what fits your space, budget, and level of privacy.

Exterior Lighting

Use lighting to improve visibility and reduce hidden areas around the home.

What to Review

• Walkways, front door, and back door visibility after dark
• Side yards, driveways, and paths between parking and doors
• Dark corners, shrubs, and structures that create shadows
• Access points such as gates, basement doors, and sliding doors

Options to Consider

• Install or adjust motion-activated lights near:
  • Main entry doors
  • Garage doors and driveway
  • Side and back entrances
• Use dusk-to-dawn bulbs so lights turn on automatically at night
• Select bulb brightness that improves visibility without drawing extra attention
• Position lights to:
  • Shine on doors and locks, not into your eyes
  • Limit shadows near hiding spots
  • Avoid directly facing neighbor windows where possible
• Check that outdoor light switches are located where you can access them quickly
• Consider battery or solar-powered lights if wiring changes are not possible
• Replace burned-out bulbs as soon as you reasonably can

Routine Checks

• Walk around the home after dark once in a while and note dark areas
• Test all outdoor lights monthly
• Confirm motion sensors still trigger at useful distances

Door Hardware

Door hardware changes can make entry and exit more controlled without always being obvious.

Doors to Review

• Front and back exterior doors
• Garage-to-house doors
• Basement or side-entrance doors
• Sliding glass doors and patio doors

Lock Options

• Deadbolts:
  • Consider single-cylinder deadbolts (key outside, thumb-turn inside)
  • Ensure the bolt fully extends into the strike plate
• Strike plates:
  • Use longer screws (around 3 inches) on strike plates and hinges where possible
  • Check that the plate is firmly attached, not loose
• Key options:
  • Keep a spare key in a place you control (not under mats or obvious spots)
  • If others have copies of keys, consider rekeying when safe and affordable
• Smart or keypad locks:
  • Use codes that are not easily guessed (avoid birthdays or simple patterns)
  • Change codes periodically if others may know them

Visibility and Identification

• Add a peephole or door viewer at a height you can use comfortably
• Consider a chain or latch only as an extra layer, not the main lock
• Use curtains or frosted film on windows directly next to doors to limit visibility inside

Sliding and Patio Doors

• Check that the built-in lock still works properly
• Use a metal or wooden bar in the track to reduce forced opening
• Consider a secondary pin lock or foot lock on the door

Garage Entry

Garages often provide a less visible way into the home. Small steps can increase control over who can access this area.

Garage Doors to Check

• Main vehicle door (overhead door)
• Side-person door that goes outside
• Door between the garage and the home interior

Overhead Garage Door Options

• Confirm the auto-reverse feature works by testing with a small obstruction (following manufacturer instructions)
• Use the lock feature on the opener or the door track when away for longer periods, if available
• Limit who has remote openers or access to the opener keypad code
• Change keypad codes if someone you no longer trust may know them
• Avoid leaving remotes visible in unlocked vehicles

Door Between Garage and Home

• Treat this door like an exterior door:
  • Solid core, if possible
  • Deadbolt or reliable lockset
• Keep it locked when you are not using it, even if the main garage door is closed
• Check that the door closes fully and the latch engages without sticking

Side Garage Doors and Access

• Add or inspect deadbolts on side doors if allowed by your lease or property rules
• Use exterior lighting or motion-sensor lights near side doors
• Keep tools, ladders, and prybars stored out of easy reach to avoid helping someone force entry

Safe Rooms

A “safe room” is any area where you can go to increase distance, barriers, or time. It does not need to be permanent or obvious.

Rooms to Evaluate

• Bathroom
• Bedroom
• Closet with a solid door
• Home office or utility room

Features That Can Be Helpful

• Lockable door with a simple, quick-to-use lock from the inside
• At least one exit route if possible (door, window, or both)
• Ability to contact help (phone access, if that is safe for you)
• Low-visibility from the outside, so it is not obvious when you are inside
• Sturdy door and frame rather than thin interior doors, if you have a choice

Items You Might Store (If Safe and Discreet)

• A charged phone or way to contact support, if safe to keep there
• List of important contacts written down (in case your main phone is not available)
• Spare keys (home, car) hidden in a place only you know
• Basic supplies like water, a light source, or a small power bank for a phone
• Any medical items you rely on daily, if they can be kept there without concern

Practical Planning Notes

• Choose a space you can move to quickly from common areas you use most
• Check that the door lock works smoothly and does not jam
• Walk through how you would get to this room from different parts of the home
• Update where you store items if your home layout or living situation changes

Routine House Safety Check

Some people find it useful to review house safety on a schedule that feels manageable.

• Every month:
  • Walk around the outside at night to check lighting and visibility
  • Test main door locks, handles, and deadbolts
  • Confirm garage doors close fully and remotes work as expected
• Every few months:
  • Review who has keys, codes, or remote access
  • Re-check your chosen safe room and adjust items stored there
  • Confirm any motion lights or smart locks are still programmed as you prefer
• After changes in your situation:
  • Consider whether to change locks or codes
  • Update where you keep spare keys
  • Revisit which rooms work best as safer spaces

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