Home Security Check List    

Take the test for a "Higher Degree of Security!"

Exterior Doors

Yes / No All doors are locked at night and every time we leave the house – even if it's just for a few minutes.
Yes / No Doors are solid hardwood or metal-clad.
Yes / No Doors feature wide-angle peepholes at heights everyone can use.
Yes / No If there are glass panels in or near our doors, they are reinforced in some way so that they cannot be shattered.
Yes / No All entryways have a working, keyed entry lock and sturdy deadbolt lock installed into the frame of the door.
Yes / No Spare keys are kept with a trusted neighbor, not under a doormat or planter, on a ledge, or in a mailbox

Garage and Sliding Door Security

Yes / No The door leading from the attached garage to the house is solid wood or metal-clad and protected with a quality keyed door lock and deadbolt.
Yes / No The overhead garage door has a lock so that we do not rely solely on the automatic door opener to provide security.
Yes / No All garage doors are locked when leaving the house
Yes / No The sliding glass door has strong working key locks.
Yes / No A dowel or a pin to secure a glass door has been installed to prevent the door from being shoved aside or lifted off the track.
Yes / No The sliding door is locked every night and each time we leave the house.

Protecting Windows

Yes / No Every window in the house has a working key lock or is securely pinned.
Yes / No Windows are always locked even when they opened a few inches for ventilation.

Outdoor Security

Yes / No Shrubs and bushes are trimmed so there is no place for someone to hide.
Yes / No There are no dark areas around our house, garage, or yard at night that would hide prowlers.
Yes / No Floodlights are used appropriately to ensure effective illumination.
Yes / No Outdoor lights are on in the evening – whether someone is at home or not, or a Photocell or motion-sensitive lighting system has been installed.
Yes / No .Our house number is clearly displayed so police and other emergency vehicles can find the house quickly.

Security When Away From Home

Yes / No At least two light timers have been set to turn the lights on and off in a logical sequence when we are away for an extended time period.
Yes / No The motion detector or other alarm system (if we have one) has been activated when we leave home.
Yes / No Mail and newspaper deliveries have been stopped or arrangements for a neighbor/friend to pick them up have been made when we go away from home for a period of time.
Yes / No A neighbor has been asked to tend the yard and watch our home when we are away.

Outdoor Valuables and Personal Property

Yes / No Gate latches, garage doors, and shed doors are locked with high-security, laminated padlocks.
Yes / No Gate latches, garage doors, and shed doors are locked after every use.
Yes / No Grills, lawn mowers, and other valuables are stored in a locked garage or shed, or if left out in the open, are hidden from view with a tarp and securely locked to a stationary point.
Yes / No Every bicycle is secured with a U-bar lock or quality padlock and chain.
Yes / No Bikes are always locked, even if we leave them for just a minute.
Yes / No Firearms are stored unloaded and locked in storage boxes and secured with trigger guard locks.
Yes / No Valuable items, such as television, stereos, and computers have been inscribed with the identifying number approved by local police.
Yes / No Our home inventory is up-to-date and includes pictures. A complete inventory is kept somewhere out of the house.