Home security tips: alarms, locks, and door and window security

Some common considerations for home security

• Locking every door and window, even when you’re at home

• Checking that all keys are removed from locks and stored out of sight

• Closing curtains or blinds at night and moving valuables out of direct view from the street

• Setting timers on lights (or use smart plugs) to make your home look occupied when you're out

• Securing your outbuildings by ensuring sheds, garages and side gates are locked

• Bringing garden tools, ladders and bikes indoors or lock them away

• Confirming your alarm is set correctly before leaving the house

• Leaving a car on the drive if possible or use a driveway light to deter attempted break-ins

• Keeping your Wi‑Fi network secure by using a strong password

Home alarms

A visible, well-positioned alarm system can be an effective deterrent against break-ins. Many insurers and security industry bodies recognise BS EN 50131 – the British Standard for intruder alarms – as the benchmark for system design and reliability.

Alarm types at a glance:

Smart alarms can also integrate with video doorbells, smart locks and home-automation systems for joined-up security.

Outdoor and indoor alarm placement

Outdoor alarm boxes tend to work best when they’re mounted high on exterior walls where they’re easy to spot. Indoors, sensors are commonly placed near entry points, along hallways and on landings to help minimise blind spots and pick up movement early. Keypads are usually positioned close to main doors, and it may be worth considering lighting and Wi‑Fi strength if you’re using a smart system.

Monitored vs DIY alarms

Monitored alarms typically provide round‑the‑clock oversight and can offer escalation routes, although the level of service can vary between providers. They may meet some insurance requirements, but they usually come with installation and ongoing subscription costs.

DIY alarms can offer more flexibility and may be cheaper to set up, with alerts sent directly to your phone. However, they usually rely on you or someone you trust to respond, rather than a dedicated monitoring service.

Upgrading your locks for stronger home protection

Strong, reliable locks can play an important role in keeping your home secure. Even if your current locks are working well, upgrading to options that meet recognised safety standards can provide your home with an extra layer of protection.

For wooden external doors, five‑lever mortice locks that meet BS 3621 standards are commonly used because they’re designed to resist familiar break‑in techniques. uPVC and composite doors typically use multipoint locking systems, which secure the door in several places to improve overall resistance to forced entry. You may also want to consider adding key‑operated locks to accessible windows, such as those on the ground floor, to provide an extra layer of security.

If you’ve recently moved into a new home, replacing the locks can help you manage who has access to your new home.

Some examples of smart lock upgrades include:

• BS-approved deadlocks on all external doors

• Smart locks with keypad or smartphone access for convenience

• Window locks, including on ground-floor windows, which may be more easily accessible

• Extra chains and bolts inside your doors

Essential upgrades to door and window security

Many break‑ins happen because doors or windows are left unlocked. Building security checks into your daily routine can help you keep your home protected. You might also consider reinforcing the areas burglars commonly target, as small upgrades can help keep your home more secure.

Strengthening your doors with hinge bolts, reinforced strike plates (secured with long screws), or a letterbox cage can help make it more difficult to forcibly enter your home. For windows, window restrictors and the right locking hardware for your window material can help with home security.

Some daily security steps you can take include:

• Checking all windows and doors before heading out or going to bed

• Securing patio, garage and utility room doors

• Keeping your doors locked, even when you’re home

• Closing and locking windows whenever you leave a room, especially ground-floor ones

Outdoor and indoor lighting

Good lighting is one way to make a home less attractive to intruders. Outdoors, well‑placed Passive Infrared (PIR) motion‑sensor lights can help remove shadows and expose anyone approaching your property, particularly around entrances, driveways and harder‑to‑see areas.

Indoors, timed or smart‑controlled lighting can help create the impression that someone is home.

Outdoor lighting

Outdoor motion‑sensor lights can be more effective when placed where they’re able to pick up movement quickly and reduce darker areas around your home. Considering factors such as light levels, sensor angles and coverage can help you decide on a setup that feels right for your space.

Some places to consider installing motion‑activated lighting include:

• Driveways and footpaths to improve visibility as you approach your home

• Entrances such as front and back doors, garages and sheds

• Shadowed corners or hidden areas of your garden that are harder to see

• Rear access points where intruders are more likely to approach

Using multiple PIR units with slightly overlapping sensor ranges can help reduce blind spots.

Indoor lighting with timers

Indoor lighting is another way to make your home look lived‑in when you're away. Using variation can help create a more natural pattern. Staggered, natural‑looking lighting routines can help give the impression that the property is occupied by creating less predictable lighting patterns.

Here are some ways you can use indoor lighting to strengthen your home’s security:

• Using digital or smart timers to switch lights on and off in multiple rooms

• Staggering the timings between living rooms, bedrooms and hallways so lights change at different intervals, mimicking real household activity

• Avoiding predictable schedules (e.g., lights turning on at the same time every day), as this can signal that a home is empty

• Choosing smart bulbs or smart plugs if you’d like to adjust routines remotely or change timings while you’re away

Securing garages, sheds and side access

Outbuildings are often overlooked when it comes to home security.

Some steps you can take to help keep your garage secure include:

• Fitting quality locks on all garage doors

• Locking any doors that lead into your home

• Considering connecting garage sensors to your main alarm system

• Keeping valuable tools out of sight

To help protect sheds and outbuildings, you may consider:

• Using good padlocks and strong fastenings

• Installing alarms if you store valuable items in your shed

• Securing tools and equipment with chains or wall mounts

• Locking away ladders and tools that could help someone access your home

Some home insurance policies may offer better rates when outbuildings are properly secured. Insurance requirements vary, so reviewing your policy can be useful.

Keys, key safes and smart access

Some people choose to keep spare keys under items like plant pots in the front garden, but these spots can also be predictable and may be checked by someone trying to find easy access. Another option is a police‑approved, wall‑mounted combination lockbox placed in a discreet location. These lockboxes are generally built to resist tampering, such as attempts to break or force them, which can make it more difficult for someone to access your keys.

Things which may help to strengthen your key security even further include:

• Keeping everyday keys out of sight from windows and doors

• Storing spare keys in a small, certified home safe rather than in obvious indoor hiding places

• Using a Faraday pouch (a signal-blocking pouch which can help prevent keyless car theft) to block the signal from keyless car fobs and reduce the risk of relay theft

• Transitioning to smart or keyless entry systems

Smart home apps and passwords

Smart home technology can contribute to home security, but they can also be targeted by cybercriminals.

Some cybersecurity measures include:

• Using unique, complex passwords for all your smart home apps

• Turning on two-factor authentication whenever it’s available

• Keeping your smart device software updated

• Creating a separate Wi-Fi network for smart home devices

• Reviewing app permissions and privacy settings regularly

Some common smart devices to keep an eye on include:

• Smart doorbells and security cameras

• Smart locks and access control systems

• Home automation hubs and controllers

• Security system apps and monitoring services

• Smart lighting and heating controls, as they’re usually connected to your home network

Landscaping for natural home security

With a few smart landscaping choices, you can create natural barriers that may help to deter intruders without turning your outdoor space into a fortress.

These ideas focus on using thoughtful design to increase visibility, limit criminal access and escape routes and clearly distinguish between public and private areas.

Some simple garden design measures can include:

• Planting thorny shrubs like roses or hawthorn beneath ground-floor windows, which can make it harder for intruders to gain access

• Keeping hedges below window level to maintain clear sightlines from both inside and outside your home

• Trimming bushes and trees away from walls, fences and climbing points

• Opting for gravel paths that create noise when walked on

Moving‑day and new home security

When moving to a new home, there are some security tasks you can consider:

• Changing all external door locks to ensure no one else has working keys

• Resetting any existing alarm codes or smart‑security logins left by previous occupants

• Securing temporary access points

• Keeping valuables in one supervised area during unloading

• Checking that all doors, windows and patio locks meet current security standards and close properly

• Walking through your new home’s layout to identify vulnerable spots

• Reviewing neighbourhood risk factors and adapt your security setup

• Keeping track of contractors, cleaners or installers working in the property, and ensure temporary access codes or smart‑home permissions are removed once work is complete

If you’re moving into a new-build home, our snagging checklist lists some issues that could affect security.

Hiding your valuables

Jewellery, electronics and other prized possessions can catch unwanted attention if left in plain sight. Placing them away from windows and using curtains or blinds to prevent people from peeking inside your home can help keep your home secure.

A fireproof safe is one option for important documents and smaller valuables. For high-value items, you might consider a larger safe. If something is especially valuable, a safe deposit box might be a better option.

Photographing your more valuable items and keeping receipts or certificates stored safely for insurance purposes can also help. It can also be helpful to review your home insurance from time to time, as the value of your belongings may change.