How to Secure Your Home: 13 Ways to Prevent Break-ins

Nearly 780,000 burglaries were reported in the United States in 2024, but just 30% of homeowners currently have a home alarm system. This gap leaves the majority of homes unprotected, making them more attractive targets for burglars. 

A home security system is one of the best ways to monitor your home for potential break-ins, but there's plenty more you can do to add an extra layer of protection.

If you’re wondering how to secure your home, here are 13 simple ways to help prevent a break-in.

Tips To Prevent Break-Ins at a Glance

1. Lock Your Doors and Windows

Locking your doors and windows is the simplest and most effective step you can take. According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, 34% of burglars enter through the front door, and 23% enter through a first-floor window, so these are the locks worth double-checking first. 

A few upgrades make this even more effective:

Free fixes:

• Test your locks regularly: Check your windows and doors before you leave the house or head to bed to make sure the locks hold firm.

Worth buying:

• Secure deadbolt: High-quality deadbolts are typically affordable and easy to find, and they provide your door with extra protection beyond a standard lock.

• Upgraded window frames: Older aluminum window frames are easier to force open, so it's worth replacing them with sturdier options.

• Smart locks: Many home security companies offer smart locks you can control remotely from a mobile app, paired with compatible electronic locks on your doors. If you leave for work or head out on vacation and realize you forgot to lock up, you can open the app and secure your doors on the go.

2. Make Your House Look Lived-In

Making a house look lived-in mostly comes down to keeping lights on a schedule that matches normal habits, like turning them on in the evening and off around a typical bedtime, even when no one's home. 

FBI data shows daytime burglaries actually outnumber nighttime ones, so a home that looks empty during the day is just as much of a target as one that looks empty at night. The key is to be realistic, since anything that looks out of place can catch a burglar's attention. A few habits, regardless of the time of day, make a big difference:

Free fixes:

• Keep lighting realistic: A living room light still on at 3 in the morning can look suspicious to someone watching your home. Match your lighting to what you'd normally do if you were there.

• Use porch lights: Keeping a porch light on at night, and a back porch light too, signals that someone's home.

• Keep your blinds consistent: If you normally leave your blinds open, closing them while you're away can be a giveaway that you're gone.

Worth buying:

• Automated lights via a security system: Advanced home security systems let you turn lights on or off remotely or set them on a timer while you're away. This is especially helpful during an extended trip, like a vacation.

3. Install a Strong Back Door

Most homes have a sturdy, attractive front door, but that's not usually where burglars go. A door made of cheap wood with an old, flimsy lock is especially at risk, since one well-placed kick can force it open. A few steps make a real difference:

• Replace a weak door: If your back door is hollow or fitted with an outdated lock, replacing it as soon as possible is worth the investment.

• Measure before you shop: Take your door's measurements before heading to a home supply store. Most doors come in standard sizes, but it's easy to bring home the wrong one.

• Consult an expert: Ask someone at the store to point you toward the most secure door options for your home.

• Match it with a tough deadbolt: Pair your new door with a heavy-duty deadbolt lock for extra protection.

4. Get a Dog

Dogs aren't a foolproof way to keep burglars out, but they're sometimes enough to make one think twice. A dog can make a burglar move on to an easier target. Dogs raise questions burglars don't want to answer: Will it bark and wake up the house or the neighbors? Is it friendly? Is getting bitten worth the risk?

Pro tip: Add a warning sign. Place a "beware of dog" sign where a prowler is sure to see it, to add another layer of deterrence.

5. Put Objects in Front of Windows

Placing some objects in front of a window is one of the simplest ways to make it harder for a burglar to climb through. A few strategic placements could go a long way:

• Add furniture with noisy items on top: Tables or desks topped with plants or picture frames create obstacles a burglar has to clear quietly and quickly, which isn't easy.

• Plant thorny bushes: Roses, barberry, or hawthorn under windows create a natural barrier that's hard to approach unnoticed.

• Add noisy ground cover: Plants like pachysandra or creeping myrtle rustle underfoot, alerting you to movement near your windows.

6. Secure Your Sliding Glass Door

Sliding glass doors offer great views and easy access to the backyard, but that convenience could also make them an easy entry point for burglars. Many models rely on a small latch that a determined intruder can lift right off the track. Here's how to make your sliding doors more secure:

Free fixes:

• Block the track: Place a metal rod or a wooden dowel in the bottom track. This can help keep the door from sliding open even if someone forces the lock.

Worth buying:

• Auxiliary lock: Install a secondary lock near the top or bottom of the frame for a second point of resistance.

• Security film: Apply security film as another layer of protection to hold the glass together if it's struck.

• Door sensor: Pair these upgrades with a door sensor that alerts you the moment the door opens, so you can respond right away.

7. Add Locks or Pins to Ground-Floor Windows

Ground-floor windows are just as vulnerable as doors, especially when their latches are the flimsy kind that pop open under a little force. A few upgrades make them far harder to force open:

Free fixes:

• Add a pin lock: Drill a small hole through the top corner where the window sashes overlap, then insert a nail or a pin. This can stop the window from sliding open even if the latch gives way.

• Block the track: For sliding or double-hung windows, place a dowel or a metal rod into the track as an extra physical barrier.

Worth buying:

• Upgraded latch: Swap out a basic latch for a keyed lock or a sash lock that opens only from the inside with a key.

• Window sensor: Pair these upgrades with a sensor that alerts you the moment a window opens unexpectedly.

8. Secure Your Garage

You might overlook the door between your garage and your house, but garages could be easier to break into than the rest of your home. Once inside, a weak interior door gives a burglar a straight shot to the rest of your house. 

The garage door opener and its emergency release cord could also be common weak spots, so it's worth locking down every part of the garage:

Free fixes:

• Keep the garage closed and locked: Get in the habit of closing the garage door completely, even for quick errands.

• Keep your remote out of sight: Don't leave the visor-clip remote in a parked car in the driveway. A stolen remote could give someone direct access to your garage.

Worth buying:

• Secure deadbolt: Treat the garage-to-house door like any other exterior door and install a deadbolt, not just a standard knob lock.

• Solid-core door: If your interior door is hollow, swapping it for a solid-core door makes it much harder to kick in.

• Door sensor: A door sensor on this entry point alerts you if the garage door opens when it shouldn't on top of any garage door sensor you already have.

• Emergency release cord shield: The manual release cord that disconnects your garage door from the motor can be exploited from outside if it's left exposed. A shield or a zip tie looped through the release arm blocks that access without stopping you from using it normally.

• Rolling code technology: A thief can intercept and clone the signal from an older garage door opener. Newer openers with rolling codes change the signal every time, making that much harder to pull off.

• Smart garage control: Controlling your garage door from an app instead of a physical remote eliminates the risk of a lost or stolen clicker.

9. Install Motion-Activated Lighting at Every Entry Point

A burglar relies on darkness to work unnoticed, and motion-activated lighting takes that advantage away the moment they get close. A few tips to get the most out of it:

• Cover every entry point: Install lights near your front door, back door, side doors, and garage, not just the main entrance.

• Aim for full coverage: Position lights so they cover the entire approach to a door, because a light that only covers part of the path leaves room to sneak by.

• Pair it with your security system: Motion lighting paired with cameras or sensors can trigger an alert the moment it activates, so you know right away.

• Go with LED: LED motion lights use less energy and last longer, so you can keep every entry point lit without a big jump in your electric bill.

10. Stop Packages From Piling Up on Your Porch

A pile of packages on your porch tells a burglar that nobody's home. A few ways to avoid the giveaway:

Free fixes:

• Schedule around your availability: Many carriers let you choose a delivery window or reroute a package to a pickup location if you won't be home.

• Ask a neighbor to grab it: If you're expecting a delivery while you're away, having a neighbor bring it inside removes the pileup.

Worth buying:

• Lockbox or delivery box: A secure box keeps packages out of sight and out of reach until you're ready to bring them in.

• Smart delivery access: Some smart locks and garage systems let you grant one-time access, so a carrier can leave packages inside your garage or entryway instead of on the porch.

11. Install Motion Sensors and Security Cameras

Unlike a traditional lock, motion sensors and security cameras catch movement in or around your home before someone gets inside. Brinks Home™ offers both, and pairing them together gives you a clearer picture of what's happening at every entry point:

• Add motion sensors: Place sensors near doors, windows, and hallways to detect movement the moment someone gets close.

• Add security cameras: Security cameras let you see who's approaching your home in real time, whether you're inside or away.

• Get instant alerts: Both devices can send a notification to your phone the second they pick up activity, so you're never caught off guard.

• Connect them to monitoring: When paired with professional monitoring, Brinks Home can respond quickly if a sensor or camera flags something unusual.

12. Invest in Smart Locks

Smart locks eliminate the need for a hidden spare key while giving you far more control over who enters your home. Brinks Home's smart home lineup makes it easy to manage access from your phone:

• Ditch the hidden key: A key under the mat or in a fake rock is one of the first places a burglar checks. Smart locks skip the hiding spot altogether.

• Grant temporary access: Give a dog walker, cleaner, or guest a unique code and revoke it at any time, without handing out a physical key.

• Get real-time alerts: Know the moment your door locks or unlocks, even when you're not home.

• Control it remotely: Lock or unlock your door from anywhere using your phone, so a forgotten lock is never a reason to turn around and head home.

13. Add 24/7 Professional Protection

All the locks, sensors, and cameras in the world work best as part of a complete home security system, one where someone is watching when you can't. Brinks Home's Alarm Response Center provides around-the-clock protection as a key layer, keeping watch over your home while you sleep or travel:

• Get round-the-clock coverage: Trained agents monitor your system every hour of every day, not just during business hours.

• Get a fast response: If an alarm triggers, agents can reach out to confirm what's happening and dispatch police or fire services right away.

• Stay covered during outages: Many systems include battery backup, so your protection doesn't stop if the power goes out.

• Travel without the worry: Whether you're at work or on vacation, this layer of coverage means your home is never left unwatched.

Protect Every Entry Point With Brinks Home

To prevent burglary, layer small defenses together, from securing every door and window to keeping your porch and property well-lit and monitored. Each step adds some protection on its own, but together they make your home a much harder target.

Securing every entry point is a great start, but pairing it with professional monitoring means your home stays protected, even when you can't check on it yourself. Explore Brinks Home security systems to see how professional coverage ties all your other security strategies together. If you're ready to protect your home from every angle, our team can help you find the right plan. To learn more about smart home security, call us today at 866.675.7062.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are burglars more likely to target a home with a visible security system or one without?

Homes with visible alarm signs or cameras, as well as houses that appear occupied and well-maintained, are much less appealing to burglars. Good lighting and clear sightlines from the street also make a home harder to work unnoticed.

Are burglaries more common during the day or at night?

According to the FBI's Crime Data Explorer database, most burglaries happen during the day, especially between noon and 7pm, when homes are more likely to be empty. Activity drops off in the early morning hours, between 5am and 7am.

Do burglars break in through doors or windows more often?

Doors are the more common entry point. Burglars typically prefer a front or back door since it's often faster and less noticeable than breaking a window. Windows are still a frequent target, especially on the ground floor, but they account for a smaller share of break-ins overall.

Are homes without a security system more likely to be burglarized than homes with one?

Yes. Homes without a security system are generally seen as easier, lower-risk targets, which makes them more appealing to burglars. Visible deterrents like alarm systems and security cameras signal that a home is being monitored and that a break-in carries a higher chance of detection, which is often enough to make a burglar think twice and move on to an easier target.

Are burglars more likely to target a house that looks occupied or one that looks empty?

Burglars typically look for easy access and signs that no one's home, like piled-up mail or an overgrown yard. Homes that are hard to enter unnoticed and are highly visible to neighbors or the street are much less appealing targets.