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Home Security

Locks, alarms, lighting, cameras, vacation and everyday security.

16 resources

About Home Security

Home security doesn't start with cameras. It starts with knowing which doors, windows, and entry points actually need protecting, and what level of deterrence makes sense for your situation. This section covers locks, lighting, alarm basics, camera placement, and the simple habits (timer lighting, vacation holds, neighbor coordination) that prevent most break-ins. Tools and printables help you walk through your home systematically, document what you have, and build a plan that doesn't rely on one expensive system doing everything.

Tools 3

Home Security Score Calculator Score your home security from 0 to 100 across doors, windows, lighting, alarms, cameras, and habits, then see a prioritized list of upgrades by budget.
Outdoor Security Lighting Spacing Calculator Calculate the right spacing between motion-sensor security lights from lumens, mounting height, and beam angle. Get coverage radius, illuminance, and fixture count.
Security Camera Coverage Calculator: Camera Count + Blind Spots Calculate property coverage by camera count, field-of-view, and priority zones. Find blind spots, get a recommended camera count, and avoid over- or under-spec.

Guides 10

Carbon Monoxide Detector Placement: Where to Install for Coverage A practical placement guide for carbon-monoxide detectors: minimum coverage by floor, distance from fuel-burning appliances, hallway vs bedroom, mounting height, and replacement cadence.
Deadbolt Grade Guide: ANSI Grade 1, 2, and 3 Explained What ANSI Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3 deadbolts actually mean, which grade belongs on exterior doors, and how to choose strike plates, smart locks, and rekeying.
How to Choose a Home Security Camera (Buying Guide) A practical buying guide for home security cameras: wired vs wireless, resolution, field of view, night vision, storage, and the real-world tradeoffs.
How to Do a Home Security Audit (Room-by-Room Walkthrough) A practical room-by-room and exterior-to-interior home security audit. Find weak points, prioritize fixes by budget, and know what to upgrade first.
How to Light Your Home Exterior for Security A practical guide to exterior security lighting: where to mount, how high, beam angles, lumens, and motion vs dusk-to-dawn.
How to Make a House Look Occupied While You're Away Practical ways to make a house look lived-in while you're away: light timers, smart bulbs, mail and delivery holds, varied routines, and social media hygiene.
How to Position Your Security Cameras for Maximum Coverage Field-of-view math, entry-point priorities, lighting pairing, privacy law (PIPEDA and US), and storage choices. Plan camera placement that actually covers what matters.
How to Secure Your Home Before Vacation (Step-by-Step) A practical step-by-step guide to securing your home before a vacation: week-before, day-of, and while-away tasks that actually reduce risk.
Monitored vs Self-Monitored Alarm Systems: Which Should You Choose? A practical comparison of monitored and self-monitored home alarm systems covering cost, response time, reliability, cellular backup, and which fits your situation.
Motion Lights vs Always-On Lights: Which Is Better for Security? A side-by-side comparison of motion sensor lights and always-on (dusk-to-dawn) lights for home security, with a clear decision for each part of the property.

Printables 3

Home Security Audit Checklist A comprehensive checklist to audit and improve your home security.
Security Camera Placement Worksheet A printable worksheet to plan a home security camera install: property sketch grid, 8-camera planning log, coverage-zone checklist, cable-run planner, and maintenance log.
Vacation Home Security Checklist A printable pre-travel checklist for home security: mail hold, lights, locks, neighbors, valuables, garage, and digital precautions. Clipboard-ready for any trip.

Frequently asked questions

Are smart locks actually secure?

Quality smart locks (Schlage, Yale, Kwikset deadbolts with Encode or Assure) meet the same ANSI Grade 1 or 2 mechanical standards as traditional deadbolts, with the electronics as an added layer. The risk is software, not the lock: use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and keep firmware updated.

Do I need a monitored alarm system?

Depends on location and police response time. Monitored systems (ADT, SimpliSafe, Ring) dispatch police or a guard. Unmonitored systems just make noise. In rural areas with slow police response, a loud alarm plus visible cameras often deters better than paid monitoring. Our home security checklist walks through the trade-offs.

Where should I put outdoor cameras?

Cover the front door, back door, driveway, and any side gates, mounted at roughly 9 to 10 feet high with a slight downward tilt. Overlap the camera views slightly so someone can't slip through a blind spot. Avoid pointing cameras at neighbors' property for privacy reasons.

What should I do to prepare my home for vacation?

Timed interior lights, a hold on mail and packages, a trusted neighbor with a key, and a written schedule of when someone checks the house. The vacation home security checklist in this section covers all of it in a 15-minute setup.

Is a dog a good security measure?

For deterrence, yes. Most break-ins are opportunistic, and a barking dog (of any size) moves burglars to an easier target. For actual intervention, only trained dogs reliably stop an intruder. A 'Beware of Dog' sign with no dog is surprisingly effective as pure deterrence.

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