Home Security

A good door lock is only as strong as the door, the frame and the strike plate around it. Most forced entries happen when the door frame splits, not when the lock fails. This guide explains lock grades, smart lock choices and the upgrades that make a real difference. Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Understand lock grades In the United States, residential locks are rated by ANSI/BHMA grades. Grade 1 is the most durable, Grade 2 is a solid residential level, and Grade 3 is basic. For an exterior door, choose Grade 1 or Grade 2 where possible. The package or manufacturer's site shows the grade. Use a deadbolt A deadbolt extends a solid metal bolt into the frame and cannot be pushed back by a card or thin tool the way a spring latch can. Choose a bolt that extends at least one inch into the frame. Schlage single-cylinder deadbolt is a widely used keyed deadbolt with a high residential ...

Windows are a common entry point because many ground-floor windows have only a basic latch. The right fix depends on how you use the window, whether it must open for escape, and how much protection you need. This guide compares bars, film, locks and screens. Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Safety first: never block your escape route Windows in bedrooms are often required as emergency exits. Fixed bars on these windows can trap people during a fire. Check your local building and fire rules before you fit anything permanent. If you need bars, choose a model that opens from the inside with a quick-release, and talk to your local fire authority. Window security bars Interior adjustable bars wedge or lock across a sliding window or door so it cannot be forced open. They are cheap and need no drilling, but they act as a secondary lock rather than strong protection. Permanent exterior bars are...

A smart home security camera records video, sends motion alerts to your phone, and lets you watch live from anywhere. Choosing one comes down to where you will place it, how it is powered, and how you want to store the video. This guide walks through each decision and the setup. Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Step 1: Decide where it will go Indoor cameras are cheaper and watch entryways, living areas or pets. Many have pan and tilt. Outdoor cameras have weather resistance and usually better night vision. Look for an ingress protection rating suited to rain. Doorbell cameras cover your front door at face height, which indoor and wall cameras often miss. Our guide to where to place security cameras and at what height shows the best positions around a house. Step 2: Choose a power type Plug-in or wired cameras never need charging, which suits indoor use. Battery cameras mount anywhe...

A wireless home security system uses battery-powered sensors that talk to a central hub, so there is no cable to run through your walls. Most kits are designed for DIY setup and take an afternoon. This guide explains how they work, what to look for, and how to install one. Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. How a wireless security system works Every kit has the same core parts: a base station or hub, door and window sensors, a motion detector, and a siren. The sensors send a signal to the hub when a door opens or movement is detected. The hub sounds the siren and alerts your phone. Many kits also add a keypad, a key fob, and optional cameras. The hub connects to your home Wi-Fi. Better kits add a cellular backup, so alerts still reach you when the internet or power fails. Check this feature before you buy. What to look for before you buy Coverage: count your entry doors, ground-floor wind...

A motion sensor security light switches on when it detects movement, which startles intruders and lights up your entrances. You can install a solar model in about thirty minutes with a screwdriver, while a wired model needs basic electrical work. This guide covers both, with the steps to place, mount and test the light. Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Solar or wired: which should you install? Solar lights need no wiring. They suit sheds, fences, side yards and any spot far from power. They depend on daily sunlight, so a shaded wall is a poor location. Wired lights connect to your home's electrical supply and usually give steadier brightness. They suit doors, garages and driveways where you already have a power source. If you have not chosen a light yet, our guide to choosing and placing motion-activated lights explains the features to compare, such as brightness, detection range ...

A security camera with no subscription records and stores video without a monthly plan. Instead of sending clips to the cloud, it saves them on a microSD card, a recorder in your home, or a network drive. This guide explains how local storage works, what you give up, and how to choose a camera that fits your home. Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. How a no-subscription camera works "No subscription" means the camera does not require a paid cloud plan to do its basic job. The video is stored on hardware you own. Most cameras use one of three methods: microSD card. The card sits inside the camera. This is the simplest and cheapest option for one or two cameras. Network video recorder (NVR) or hub. Several cameras send video to one box in your home, which holds a hard drive. This suits whole-house coverage. Network drive (NAS). Some cameras can save to a home server. It offers m...

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Pet-immune motion sensors promise to ignore your dog or cat while still catching an intruder. They can work well, but only when you pick the right model and mount it correctly. This guide explains how they work, what the weight ratings really mean, and why pets still set them off. How a pet-immune motion sensor works Most home motion sensors are passive infrared (PIR) devices. They detect body heat moving across their field of view. A pet-immune model uses a lens pattern and signal processing that largely ignores heat sources near the floor, where pets usually walk, while still reacting to a taller human. It does this without a downward-looking sensor. The lens pattern simply leaves out the lowest part of the room. That is why mounting height is so important. What the weight rating means Pet-immune sensors are sold with ratings such as 40 lb or 80 lb. For...