Step 20 to Buying a Home: Securing Your New Home

Consider securing your new home by installing some key safety features. Below are our must-have recommendations (the ones we really want you to do!) along with a few additional options to boost peace of mind.

Must-Have Security Measures

• Rekey all door locks — You never know who still has a key to your new home. Have a locksmith rekey all exterior doors as soon as possible (ideally the day you move in). If you have a home warranty, this is usually covered with just a service fee. Make sure each exterior door has at least one deadbolt.
• Add a peephole — If your front door doesn’t already have one, have a handyman install it. It’s a simple, inexpensive upgrade that improves security and awareness.
• Secure sliding doors — Place a thick wooden dowel in the track when closed, and add a jimmy plate and an auxiliary lock for extra protection.

Additional Security Measures to Consider

• Install Door Devils — Reinforce your door frames with these heavy-duty strike plates to prevent kick-ins. They’re easy to install with a drill. (Order directly from Door Devil, as they’re not available in local stores.)
• Add Night Locks — Ideal for side or back doors you don’t use daily. These locks are highly effective at preventing forced entry and are especially recommended for basement doors.
• Use Shatter-Safe film — Apply this clear protective film to windows or glass doors (especially at ground level). It prevents intruders from breaking glass to enter while remaining invisible.
• Install dusk-to-dawn lighting — Add automatic exterior lights above all doors and motion sensors near garages or walkways. (Search “Dusk to Dawn lights” on Home Depot.)
• Secure your garage — If your garage has a window, cover it with a curtain, frosted glass, or glass blocks to prevent visibility. Add Shatter-Safe film to garage windows for extra protection.
• Install an alarm system — Plan to spend about $100–$300 on installation depending on sensors (motion, glass break, etc.). Schedule installation for the day of or day after closing, as appointments can book out a week or more.