Home security keeps improving, and so do the methods burglars use to get around it. Staying protected in 2026 means combining solid physical security, smart technology, and a few good habits. None of this requires spending a fortune, just fixing the weak points first.
These ten tips cover practical steps for houses, apartments, and rental properties in San Francisco.
1. Upgrade to High Quality Door Locks
Your door lock is the first line of defense. Use a Grade 1 or Grade 2 deadbolt on every exterior door, and replace worn or loose locks right away. A reinforced strike plate with long screws into the door frame makes a real difference against forced entry. Our deadbolt installation service fits and reinforces exterior door locks across the city.
2. Install Smart Doorbells or Cameras
Video doorbells and outdoor cameras let you see activity in real time and send motion alerts to your phone. Visible cameras alone deter a lot of would-be intruders before they try the door.
3. Use Motion Sensor Lighting
A well-lit home is a less attractive target. Motion-activated lights near entrances and any dark corners of the property improve visibility for you and remove the cover an intruder relies on.
4. Secure Windows Properly
Install working locks on every ground-level window. Window sensors or security film add another layer. Simple but often skipped: close and lock windows every time you leave, not just at night.
5. Create the Appearance of Occupancy
Put lights and a TV on timers when you travel, have a neighbor collect mail and packages, and hold off on posting travel plans publicly until you are back.
6. Reinforce Garage Security
Keep the door between the garage and the house locked, and never leave a garage remote in a car parked outside. If your garage lock is old or the remote was lost, our garage door lock service can replace or rekey it.
7. Install a Monitored Alarm System
A monitored alarm alerts a response service, not just your phone, when a break-in happens. Many systems tie in with cameras and smart locks for one combined view of the property.
8. Keep Spare Keys Secure
Never hide a key under a mat or flower pot; it is the first place anyone looks. Give a spare to someone you trust, use a coded lockbox, or ask about lock rekeying if a key has gone missing and you are not sure who has a copy.
9. Maintain Landscaping
Trim bushes near windows and doors so they cannot hide someone at your entry points, and remove anything near the house that could be used to climb to a second-story window.
10. Schedule Regular Security Checkups
Have a licensed locksmith inspect your locks and door hardware once a year. A loose strike plate or worn deadbolt is a small fix now and a real vulnerability if it is ignored.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are smart locks safer than traditional locks? Both can be secure when the hardware is good quality and installed correctly; the deadbolt grade matters more than whether it is electronic.
How often should I change my locks? After moving into a new place, after losing a key, or after a break-in attempt, at minimum. A rekey is often enough if the hardware itself is still in good shape.
Do cameras actually prevent break-ins? Visible cameras reduce the odds an intruder tries your property in the first place, though they work best alongside good locks, not instead of them.
Want a Professional Security Check?
Call Ace Locksmith SF for a home security evaluation and honest recommendations, no upsell.
Licensed locksmith (#7929) · open 7 days a week, 7 AM-11:30 PM · 15–20 min response in SF
Two of the fastest upgrades from this list are a deadbolt installation and a smart lock installation, both part of our residential locksmith services.