Home Security Checklist: Doors, Locks, Garage, and Cameras

Most break-ins aren't sophisticated. They happen through an unlocked door, a weak lock, an open garage, or a dark side of the house where nobody is watching. The good news is that a few practical upgrades and habits make a home much less attractive to an opportunist.

Use this checklist to walk around your home.

Front and back doors

• Deadbolts on every exterior door, used every time
• Solid-core or metal doors on entrances; hollow doors are easy to break
• Reinforced strike plates with long screws into the frame
• Door viewer or doorbell camera so you can see who's there without opening up
• Locks in good condition. Sticky or loose locks get left unlocked.

If you've recently moved or lost a key, read rekey or replace your locks.

Patio and sliding doors

• Use the lock every time
• Add a security bar or auxiliary lock in the track
• Check that the door can't be lifted off its track when locked
• Keep the view from outside limited with blinds at night

The garage

The garage is a common way into a home, and it's easy to overlook.

• Keep the garage door closed when you're not in the garage
• Lock the door between the garage and the house like any exterior door
• Don't leave the opener remote in a car parked outside; use a keychain remote instead
• Use a smart opener that alerts you if the door is left open
• Secure the emergency release with a shield or zip-tie approach recommended by your installer to discourage fishing it open
• Keep the door in good repair. A door that doesn't close fully or reverses because of sensor problems gets left open. See garage door safety sensors.
• Cover the garage with a camera from the driveway and, if you store valuables, inside too

Windows

• Lock ground-floor and basement windows
• Consider window locks or pins on older sliders
• Trim shrubs that hide windows from the street

Lighting

• Motion-activated lights at the front, back, side, and garage
• Porch lights on a timer or smart schedule
• Well-lit driveway and walkways

Cameras

A camera system deters, alerts, and records. For most homes, cover:

1. Front door
2. Driveway and garage
3. Side gates
4. Back door and patio
5. Backyard

Wired PoE cameras with a local recorder, AI person detection, and phone alerts give the most reliable coverage. See planning a home security camera system and where to put cameras.

Everyday habits

• Lock doors even when you're home, including the garage entry door
• Don't hide spare keys under mats or rocks; use a lockbox or trusted neighbour
• Pause mail and deliveries when travelling, or ask a neighbour to collect them
• Don't announce trips on social media until you're back
• Reset garage door codes and lock keys after contractors, renovations, or a move
• Keep an inventory with photos of valuables for insurance

One call for doors, locks, and cameras

We handle the physical security pieces in one place: garage door repair, security camera installation, and locksmith work for homes across Oshawa and Durham Region.

Frequently asked questions