5 Low-Tech Home Security Fixes That Actually Work

A study revealed that about 83 percent of burglars check for an alarm system before choosing houses to rob, and approximately 60 percent look for new targets if one is found. This demonstrates that modern security devices are effective at protecting your home from intruders. Many establishments, such as banks and schools, use these devices for surveillance. But these systems are often expensive to buy and install. If you are on a budget, there are many affordable, low-tech security hacks that are just as effective.

Install Pin Locks on Double-Hung Windows

Double-hung windows often feature a less secure latch compared to traditional windows. These windows, which feature both bottom and top sashes that slide vertically, one above the other, to open and close, can be jimmied open from the outside with a crowbar, making them vulnerable to break-ins. Similarly, sliding doors/patio doors are incredibly easy to breach because they use the same simple latch lock. Anyone can easily bypass these locks by prying the sliders off their tracks.

There are multiple ways to secure your home’s double-hung windows and sliding doors. A particularly effective one is installing pin locks. These locks act like nails placed between the window or door’s active and stationary parts. They restrict any movement and prevent closed doors and windows from sliding open. Arguably, the best part about installing them is that the DIY process is incredibly easy. You just need to make sure that you do not drill into the glass. Apart from pin locks, you can also secure sliding doors using security bars or loop locks.

Similar to pin locks, there are many other low-cost, highly effective solutions to make your home unbreachable for intruders.

Secure Air-Conditioners to Window Frames

It is astonishing how frequently intruders use air-conditioner tunnels in walls and windows to break into homes. And yet, this trick remains largely unknown to unsuspecting homeowners. For these reasons, securing your air-conditioner units is key to keeping your belongings and loved ones safe.

If you have window AC units in your house, thieves can break in by pushing them inside. To prevent this, ensure the unit is securely attached to your window frame and add window locks to prevent the sash from being moved from the outside of your home.

Improve Indoor Lighting

An underrated, often-overlooked way to make your house safer and more secure is to improve the lighting in all rooms and corridors. Improved lighting deters intruders, increases the visibility in your home, and creates an appearance of an occupied home. The more visible your home is, the easier it will be to spot unusual activities.

This is why a particularly cost-effective security solution includes powerful, sustainable lighting in your home to make it safer.

Zip Tie the Manual Release on Your Garage

If, as is often the case with most homes, your garage door has a gap between the frame and the door itself, burglars can exploit this gap. For instance, they can insert a hanger inside your garage and use it to pull the release mechanism that enables your door’s manual operation. Once they do that, all they need to do is push your garage door up and gain access to the entire zone, and possibly your entire house as well. Fortunately, following simple, specific home security tips can help you address this problem.

To prevent burglary in your garage, simply put a zip tie through the hole connecting the manual release to the automatic carriage of your garage door. With this in place, the hanger trick no longer works. When somebody tries to use the hanger to crowbar the door, they will be unable to engage the manual release.

If the zip-tie method is too complicated, you can use security bars or locks to lock up your garage door. Many modern garage doors have locks that slide through the door’s rails. That said, locking and unlocking your garage door every day can be tiring. Typically, you would want to lock your garage only when you are away from home for an extended period. So, to save time and energy, the zip-tie option will serve you better.

Reinforce Doors with a Rubber Foot

Your front door is often the easiest way for burglars to break into your home. To secure it, consider installing a rubber stopper. Also known as a rubber “foot,” this stopper makes it harder for someone outside to push through your main door. The rubber grips the floor tightly and keeps your door from opening at low to moderate levels of pressure.

Rubber stoppers work better for doors that swing into your home (as opposed to swinging outwards). They can help increase the security quotient of your home without requiring you to install additional technology. The stoppers are incredibly cost-effective and can be fixed in minutes.

Besides the front door, you can also make your bathroom doors more secure through this solution. In addition, there are several changes you can make to make your bathroom safer and more senior-friendly.

Make Better Landscaping Choices

Certain landscaping and hardscaping choices can make it incredibly hard for burglars to break into your home. There are several budget-friendly home safety hacks to try:

• Keep entryways visible so burglars cannot work on your locks in privacy.
• Trim trees to prevent anyone from climbing up to your windows.
• Avoid attaching trellises or ersatz ladders to your walls.
• Surround your windows with thorny plants to hurt strangers who attempt a burglary.

These easy home safety solutions not only make your home more senior-friendly, but can help you save thousands of dollars every year.