Top DIY Home Security Tips

As a homeowner or even a renter, your home security should be at the top of your priorities. The best way to protect your home is to install a top-notch home security system. However, high-end professional home security systems do not really make for affordable home security. If you want to make sure that your home is secure and not spend a fortune to do it, you will need to do some things on your own. While having a professional security system is always recommended, there are a lot of things you can do to complement it. And that is precisely what this article is going to be all about, we are going to provide you with some of the best DIY home security tips from our experts.

Why improve home security on your own instead of getting a professional to do it?

The answer to this question is really simple. Money. Making sure that your home is as secure as possible costs either a lot of money or a lot of work. By taking on some of that work, you will reduce the amount of money you will need to shell out for your home security. That being said, you may still want to hire a few professional services along the way. For example, you may want to consult a professional on how to perform a home security audit. That will provide you with the direction you might need for your efforts.

When it comes to DIY home security tips, the most important things are proper research, preparation, and willingness to “roll up your sleeves”. There will be a lot of work ahead of you, all in all. However, by doing most of the work on your own, you will be saving a lot of money in the process. The fact of the matter is that almost anything that a home security professional can do, you can do as well. Given enough time and effort, of course. That is why our first tip is not to underestimate the entire process. If you find yourself needing help at any point, don’t hesitate to consult a professional.

Now, let’s get into the “meat and potatoes” of this article.

Best DIY home security tips

Home security is a neverending process. You can always do something more to enhance the security of your home. However, there are some things that are rather easy to do and provide a massive boost to your home’s security. Here’s what you can do:

• Install window locks
• Change the screws in your shed
• Reinforce your doors
• Get a small safe
• Install DIY home security cameras
• Place signs and stickers around your property
• Remove any tools that burglars may use
• Install a peephole
• Get light timers
• Partner up with your neighbors
• Travel smart
• Get a guard dog

Aside from these tips, you may also want to modify your lifestyle a bit. If you have a tendency to forget your keys, for example, then no matter how you protect your doors, it will be in vain. Also, did you know that over 30% of burglars simply enter a home through an unlocked entry point such as a window or a door? Even if you are replacing your windows and doors with high-security variants, it is all moot if you leave them unlocked. Oftentimes, the best improvement to your home security comes from changing some of your habits. That said, let’s take a look at these DIY home security tips in a bit more detail.

Installing window locks

Most windows are rather easy to circumvent. A burglar can simply utilize a pry bar and open a window in no time. To prevent this, you will want to install pin locks on your windows and patio doors. The process of installing these locks is extremely simple; all it requires is for you to drill a single hole! However, before you do so, you might want to search for any signs that you need new doors and windows. You don’t want to install a lock only to realize that you need to replace the entire window in the near future.

You will find pin locks easily purchasable from home centers, and you can also order them online. They are quite cheap and are worth every dollar. 

Changing the screws in the shed

After making sure that your windows are as secure as they can be, it is time to look at the shed. Your shed might seem secure at a glance, but there is one critical weakness that most sheds have. Screws. All that a burglar needs to do to gain access to your shed is to simply utilize a screwdriver to remove hinges that have exposed screw heads. And, in case you were wondering, most sheds do have exposed screw heads.

The solution to this problem is quite simple and exceptionally cheap. All you need to do is replace the standard Phillips head screws with screws that are much more secure. That will improve your home security in an instant! Some of the options include tamper-proof security screws, Allen head screws, Torx head screws, and hex-head cap screws. Most of the time, you can find these at your local home centers. Alternatively, you can always order them online. Do note that some of these screws might be quite expensive if you want to purchase them in large quantities. Ideally, you will want to utilize these screws only at the entry points.

Reinforcing your doors

Many home security guides will tell you that the first thing that you need to do is install a “pick-proof” deadbolt for your door. However, the fact of the matter is that most burglars do not know how to pick a lock. Most burglars use brute force to open a door, according to home burglary statistics. You would be surprised at how much more common a body slam is than a lockpick. That is why you may want to reinforce your doors instead of getting a deadbolt. To do so, you will need to get a hold of a door reinforcement kit. You can order these kits online and they are extremely fast and easy to install.

Do note, however, that the more reinforcement you want, the pricier it gets. The best thing to do is to consider what is “just enough” protection and then invest a bit more.

Why getting a small safe is a good idea

Having a home safe is always a good idea. However, you most likely do not need a large, expensive safe. In fact, getting a small, inconspicuous, safe place to store your most valuable belongings in is usually a better idea. You can easily hide a small safe in a closet or in another inconspicuous area. The best thing to do is to bolt the safe to either the floor or the wall. Bolting a safe is quite fast, as most safes are specifically designed for this purpose.

One of the best DIY home security tips – DIY home security cameras

The fact of the matter is that home security is more about deterrence than anything else. This is why homes with security cameras are three times less likely to be broken into. However, a professional surveillance system is a significant investment. What you can do, instead, is mount DIY home security cameras. These cameras are designed for easy installation and are quite cheap as well. Furthermore, with so many different types of home security cameras on the market, you will definitely not be lacking in choice. You will want to place cameras at all the entry points to your home and in a few other places. If you are in doubt as to exactly where to place them, it is always a good idea to seek professional advice.

Placing signs and stickers for deterrence

Home security cameras are not the only things you can place around your property to deter burglars. Sometimes, a simple sign or a sticker will do the job. Even fake signs and stickers will deter many a burglar. However, you don’t want to rely on the signs alone. The best thing to do is to consider them as an addition to your home security as opposed to them being your entire home security.

Also, try not to display your camera or other brands on the stickers. While “Protected by Almighty Securitron 1000” might seem daunting, tech-savvy burglars can use that information to circumvent your security system.

The importance of removing your tools

Never leave any tools that a burglar can use unattended. This includes any ladders you might have, pry bars, screwdrivers, hammers, and similar. If you don’t have a specific place for those tools, it is in your best interest to create one. You can build a tool cabinet or a tool rack in a secure location or you can simply make sure that you never leave your tools unattended.

There is nothing worse than your home being breached by your own tools. Not to mention that some tools can be rather expensive and become a target for potential burglars.

Installing a peephole

If your door does not have a peephole, you should make it your top priority to install one. Installing a peephole is extremely cheap, and it will increase the overall security of your home. Being able to see who’s at the door before opening it is of paramount importance, after all. No matter what kind of doors you might have, installing a peephole should never be beyond the scope of your budget.

Another great DIY home security tip – Light timers

One of the best DIY home security tips that we can give you is to install light timers in your home. These timers will turn on the lights automatically at a pre-set time, making it so that burglars think that someone is at home. If you happen to frequently come home late or you are planning a vacation, installing light timers will considerably improve the security of your home. You will also want to switch up the timings from time to time, as some burglars might “stake out” your home for several days before making their move. By making sure that your light timers are randomized as much as possible, you are making the burglar’s “job” much more difficult.

Partnering up with your neighbors for enhanced security

Did you know that most burglaries occur in neighborhoods where people do not usually talk to each other? Oftentimes the best way to improve your home security is to simply “partner up” with your neighbors. Join a neighborhood watch if there is one in your area, or work with your neighbors to set one up. Aside from improving the overall security of the neighborhood, neighborhood watches promote a sense of community and provide excellent social opportunities.

Travel smart

Whenever you are leaving your home for a long period of time, you will want to make sure that your home still looks lived in. As mentioned previously, light timers are a great way of accomplishing this, but you may also want to add a few more touches. Invite a friend to stay over and watch TV, ask a neighbor to pick up your mail, hire a gardener to tend to your plants, that sort of thing. The more active your home seems while you’re away, the better.

Get a guard dog

Lastly, there are a few things that say “home security” like a guard dog. These faithful canine companions make for some of the best burglar deterrents out there. While a dog on its own is a formidable security measure, you may also want to train your dog to bark at any sign of an intrusion. The best breeds for guard dogs are German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois. But even a Yorkshire Terrier can be a phenomenal guard dog. From personal experience, the little thing barks something fierce whenever someone approaches the door!

These were our top DIY home security tips. We hope you learned something new and that you have a better idea of how to improve the security of your home. For more information on home security, be sure to check out the remainder of the Consumer Opinion Guide. From the best home security companies to tips and tricks, our articles will provide you the information about everything you want to know about home security!