6 Home Security Measures Worth the Money

1. The basics that matter most

Good quality locks meeting the standard your insurer specifies. Check the policy, since a non-compliant lock can affect a claim.

Locks actually used. A significant proportion of burglaries involve no forced entry at all.

Secure windows, particularly ground floor and anything accessible from a flat roof.

Side and rear access gated and locked, since most entry is at the back where there are no witnesses.

2. Visibility and lighting

Keeping front boundaries low and sightlines open, which removes cover.

Motion-activated lighting at entry points, which is inexpensive and effective.

Gravel paths, which are noisy underfoot.

Thorny planting under vulnerable windows, which is cheap and surprisingly effective.

3. Making an occupied impression

Timers on lamps in different rooms, varying through the evening.

A neighbour collecting post and parcels during absences.

Not announcing travel publicly before or during a trip.

Avoiding visible boxes for expensive purchases in the recycling.

4. Alarms and cameras

A visible alarm deters, and whether it is monitored matters less than most sales conversations suggest.

Cameras help with evidence more than prevention, and footage quality at night is what matters rather than headline resolution.

Subscription costs recur indefinitely; local storage options avoid them.

Check the data implications of cloud cameras, and consider what happens if the provider discontinues the service.

Cameras covering shared or public space may carry legal obligations in some jurisdictions.

5. Insurance

Tell your insurer what security you have, since some measures reduce premiums.

Photograph valuables and record serial numbers, which matters enormously for claims and recovery.

Mark property and register it on a national database where one exists.

6. The largest gap

Keys left in obvious places, spare keys under mats or plant pots, and door codes shared widely. These undo everything else.

Final Thoughts

Security spending frequently goes to the most visible products rather than the most effective measures. Good locks actually used, clear sightlines and motion lighting do more than any subscription, and keys left in obvious places undo all of it.