11 Simple Ways to Secure Your New Home in 2025

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Decorating your new home is definitely more fun than setting up security measures. But burglars strike every 30 seconds, so home security should be a top priority.1 To help you get back to the fun stuff, here are 11 simple things you should do right away to secure your new home.

Meet our expert

Ben Stickle

Dr. Ben Stickle, PhD, Professor of Criminal Justice Administration at Middle Tennessee State University

Dr. Ben Stickle is a nationally recognized criminal justice expert and professor at Middle Tennessee State University. With over 20 years of law enforcement experience and a Ph.D. in Justice Administration, his research on property crime, burglary, and emerging threats like package theft bridges the gap between theory and real-world application.


1. Set up a security system

Affordable DIY security
SimpliSafe System

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Your new home should have some form of a security system, whether it’s a basic DIY system or one that comes with professional monitoring and home automation features. Today there are plenty of home security options for every budget and every level of protection.

To choose a system that you’re comfortable with, Dr. Stickle recommends evaluating the needs of your neighborhood and your house. "Once you know the likely risks," he explains, "evaluate your home to see what is needed to protect it." 

You can contact your local police department for neighborhood crime statistics and help doing a home security evaluation of your home.​

And keep these factors in mind as well:

Person installing the Abode smart lock on the inside of a door.

Installing the Abode Smart Lock for extra security and convenience. We like this one because it works with your existing deadbolt and looks attractive, too. 

2. Secure the doors

Don’t help a burglar stroll in through the front door (most of them do!).2 Inspect all of your exterior doors to make sure the door frames are strong, the hinges are protected, and—if your door has a mail slot—that someone can’t reach through it to unlock the door.

If you're moving into a residence that someone else used to call home, change the door locks. That way you won't have strangers out there with a key to your house, and you can make sure your locks are the best on the market.

Here are some quick reinforcements we recommend to help you shore up these vital entryways.

Checklist
Reinforce sliding glass doors

Intruders love sliding doors, so make sure yours are protected. You can go old-school and use a window bar or dowel in the track to keep the door from being forced open. If you want a high-tech solution, add a door sensor or glass break sensor. These will alert you if the glass door is tampered with—and should scare off thieves.


My son trying to break into our sliding glass door with a rod in the track. Image: SafeWise

My son giving up on trying to break into our sliding glass door with a rod in the track. See our rod vs. door sensor test on TikTok. Image: SafeWise

3. Lock the windows

According to theft expert Dr. Ben Stickle, windows are "a common entry point for criminals" and may be left shut but unlocked by the previous homeowner. Plus, manufacturer latches on windows aren’t always effective—and sometimes they’re downright flimsy.

If you don’t like the looks of your window latches, beef up security with aftermarket window locks or key-operated levers. But you don’t have to stop there.

We have some other good ideas to help make your windows burglar-proof.

SimpliSafe window sensor installed on a window.

SimpliSafe window sensor installed during testing by Cathy H., SafeWise contributor and tester. Image: SafeWise

4. Light up the landscape

Vandals, burglars, and other criminals don’t like to be in the spotlight. Keep them at bay with ample outdoor lighting. Place lights around your front and back yards, along pathways, and near the garage and other outdoor structures. Not only will you make intruders skittish, you’ll also cut down your risk of a stumble on your way up the front steps.

Make your outdoor security lights even more effective with these tips:

Eufy 360 Floodlight installed on a home with a brick wall and yellow door.

Testing the Eufy 360 Floodlight camera. Image: SafeWise

5. Don’t forget the garage

This entry point to your home is becoming more popular with criminals. And even if they can’t access your house, chances are you have plenty of good stuff stored in the garage. Make it a habit to lock all doors to the garage—both interior and exterior.

You may also consider keeping your garage door opener in the house. That way, a burglar can’t grab it out of your car. And if you use a security code to open the garage, make sure you keep it secret and never enter it in front of delivery people, neighbors, or anyone else.

Here are some more easy ways to secure the garage.

Hands typing on a laptop.

Image: SafeWise

6. Lock down your Wi-Fi network

Your home wireless network is a doorway to your personal and financial information. And if you use home automation, it can also make your house vulnerable to a break-in. If your Wi-Fi network is connected to smart home gadgets or your security system, it could give criminals direct access to your home.

But you don't have to leave yourself vulnerable. Use our tips and tricks to keep hackers off your home network.

Bell
Protect kids with parental-control software

If you’ve got little ones, chances are they go online for both homework and fun. Keep them safe from online predators and cyber bullies with a parental control app, router, or software package. These tools can even help you limit screen time and enforce device-free family dinners.

front of a new house

7. Eliminate hiding places

Best motion sensor light
LeonLite motion sensor flood light
LeonLite
$59.99

Amazon.com price as of post date.
Read full disclaimer.

Trees and shrubs may give your house curb appeal, but they also give burglars a handy place to hide. Trim down trees and plants close to your home that could be used for cover. Opt for smaller flowers and bushes instead. If you have trees near windows, either remove them or reinforce those windows with extra security.

And don’t neglect the rest of your home’s exterior. Use these best practices to keep things locked up tight.

  • Always put away stools and ladders.
  • Lock gates, sheds, and other outdoor buildings.
  • Don’t tempt thieves by leaving pricey goods on display in the yard.
  • Add security signs and stickers—even if you don't have a security system.

Learn other tips and tricks for burglar-proofing your backyard.

Testing the Reollink Argus PT Ultra outdoor security camera—finding the right spot to install it. Image: SafeWise

8. Add security cameras

You’ve probably seen headlines about burglars and porch pirates being foiled by security camera footage. This is one home security solution that works as both a deterrent and a means to get justice. You can get security cameras that are part of a complete home security system, or you can use cameras that work on their own.

Whichever way you go, we recommend using a security camera with a mobile app, so you can see footage in real time and store it if you ever need to go to the police. Take proactive measures to protect your cameras from hackers too. 

SafeWise recommends

Check out our other must-have features:

  • Motion detection
  • Night vision
  • Wi-Fi capability
  • Two-way talk
  • Local or cloud storage
  • Weatherproof casing for outdoor cameras

9. Get a safe

In the event that someone gets by your other home security strategies, make sure that valuables are protected. An in-home safe is a secure depository for everything from jewelry to vital documents like passports. You want a safe that is fire-resistant, waterproof, and heavy enough that a thief can’t walk away with it.

SafeWise recommends

Follow these suggestions to get the most protection from your safe:

  • Look for safes with redundant locks (that’s two locks on one safe).
  • Select the right size safe for the valuables you want to protect.
  • Decide if you want a portable safe or one that’s anchored.
Thumbs Up
Secure firearms in a gun safe

Firearms are desirable items for a burglar. On average, around 230,000 guns are stolen during household burglaries every year.3 A gun safe keeps your weapons out of the hands of criminals and protects your family from the risk of a tragic accident.

10. Use home automation

If you’ve been tempted to turn your regular house into a smart home, security is one compelling reason to follow through. Home automation gives you remote (or scheduled) control of lights, door locks, security cameras, smoke alarms, and other safety devices. You can get real-time alerts about suspicious activity so you can respond quickly and thwart potential thieves.

Here are some of our favorite ways to use home automation to increase security:

  • Schedule lights (and your TV) to turn on and off when you’re on vacation.
  • Scare away porch pirates with two-way talk through a smart doorbell.
  • Get an instant video feed whenever someone walks up your driveway.
  • Check on a smoke or CO alarm and cancel false alarms from your smartphone.
Bell
Get emergency response from your smart speaker

With Alexa Emergency Assist, you can turn your Echo smart speaker into a 24/7 emergency response monitor. 

All you have to do is ask Alexa to call for help, and trained Urgent Response agents will check in and call for help. Unlike Alexa Guard (now discontinued), Emergency Assist requires a subscription: 

  • $5.99/mo. or $59/yr. with Prime
  • $7.99/mo. or $79/yr. without Prime

11. Prevent house fires

Best smoke detector

Do what you can to prevent a fire in your new home.

Don't forget to make a new fire exit plan based on your home's layout, complete with fire escape ladders for second-story bedrooms.

Final word

Figuring out how to secure your home doesn’t have to be a chore. Use these tips to get started. And relax—you don’t have to do everything at once.

Identify which strategies are most important to you, and make a plan to add the rest later. Being aware of potential security risks and taking action early is the best way to keep your home and loved ones safe.

Compare the best home security systems

Brand
Installation
Monthly cost Icon Tooltip  Dark
Best for
Self-monitoring option
Starter equipment price
Contract required
Smart home compatibility Icon Tooltip  Dark
Learn more
DIY or ProBest overall security system
Icon Yes  LightYes
$249.96NoAmazon,
Google
ProfessionalBest monitored home security
Icon No  LightNo
$599.00No *Amazon,
Google,
Z-Wave
ProfessionalMost trusted security brand
Icon No  LightNo
$0.00YesGoogle,
Z-Wave
DIY or ProBest customer rating
Icon No  LightNo
Quote required
Online quiz
No *Amazon, Google
DIYBest for smart homes
Icon Yes  LightYes
$149.99NoAmazon, Google, Apple, Z-Wave, Zigbee

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer. *ADT $28.99 for landline system only. Full ADT disclaimer

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.
Full ADT disclaimer

Sources

  1. FBI, Uniform Crime Reporting, “Crime in the United States 2019, Burglary.” Accessed April 11, 2025.
  2. Kyle Iboshi, KTVB7, “We asked 86 burglars how they broke into homes,” March 2019. Accessed April 11, 2025.

Disclaimers

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

Rebecca Edwards
Written by
Rebecca is the Managing Editor and lead safety expert at SafeWise.com, where she's been researching, testing, and writing about home and personal security for over 12 years. Her safety smarts come from both real life and professional experience—as a single parent trying out safety and security gadgets to protect her family and a former college director responsible for safety plans and strategies to keep buildings, grounds, and hundreds of students and faculty safe every day. With 30 years of experience as a journalist and blogger, she's become a go-to source for trustworthy, practical advice on everything from the best home security systems and smart gadgets to keeping kids safe online, preventing package theft, and understanding crime trends nationwide. PBS NewsHour, The Today Show, NPR, Vice, TechCrunch, The Washington Post, HGTV, Marketplace, On the House, and more have featured Rebecca's expert insights and recommendations. Whether it's protecting your home, your loved ones, or your peace of mind, Rebecca makes safety simple, doable, and real.

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