Secure My Home

Your best resource for home security and safety tips

Burglar Proof Your Home for Cheap

by · Published · Updated

I’m sure you’ll agree with me when I say that I want the peace of mind of a safe home, but I don’t want you to spend a fortune on expensive security systems for your house – I want to show you how to burglar proof your home for cheap!

We are all on a budget, and I’m going to show you what you can do by yourself and only spend a couple of bucks.

 

  1. Install dummy surveillance cameras : $3-20 and a screwdriver

    Dummy security camera

    Dummy security camera

You can buy these from the Dollar Store, Walmart or online. The cost will be around $3-5 for the basic semi-spherical ones, up to a max of $15-20 dollars for the ones that are more professional looking, the exterior ones.

Install them in areas that are not accessible, but visible to everybody. The best ones are the ones with two AAA batteries, because they have a red LED light, very realistic looking.

 

  1. Buy light switch timers for your indoor and outdoor lights: $25-40 and  some work
timer-switch-for-outside-lights

Timer Switch for Outside Lights

timer-switch-for-outside-lights-set-up

Timer Switch for Outside – Set-up

This will cost you around $25 dollars and some work. It is recommended only if you have some electrical training. I will show you how to do it step by step (coming soon), but remember I am not taking responsibility on how you do it if you don’t have at least basic electrical knowledge. Here is a short video with some of the functionalities.

 

 

  1. Reinforce your door jambs if you have weak door frames:  $ 50 – 150 – and some work

Research a locksmith shop in your area (I used Google and it was easy), a specialized store, or you can buy them online. The installation is simple, you can watch my video and take notes. It requires some basic tools, precise measurements and maybe some help.

 

  1. Use a wooden dowel for sliding doors and windows so they can’t be pried open: $5-10 – and a saw

Buy a round or rectangular piece of wood, 1” diameter or 1”x 1”. A wooden mop handle will do as well. Measure the length of the backdoor track (or sliding window), from the back of the sliding door to the frame, measure the wood piece, cut it and put it in the track. This will block the door/window to be opened from outside when you are not home.

 

  1. Reinforce the backyard door: $15-20 – plus some measurement and work
Back Door Security Lock

Security Lock for Backyard Sliding door – Lock Position

Back Door Security Lock - Unlock Position

Security Lock for Backyard Sliding door – Unlock Position

This is another great cheap burglar proofing idea. Buy a sliding door security lock and install it. I will discuss in another post the different types of locks, I will show you which one to choose and will provide more details about installing them. This is what I installed in my home and some tips how to install it.

 

 

 

 

  1. Install double glazed window film– $20-100  – need some help

This can be bought from HomeDepot, Lowes, etc, the installation is a little bit more complex, as you have to take precise measurements, prepare the film, prepare some rubber tools to clear the bubbles, cutter, and to have some dexterity. Make sure that you buy extra, for me didn’t match the first time. I didn’t watch the video or get more explanations, so I advise you to do so. (video coming soon)

You can install this film not only for privacy, but for energy efficiency purposes as well.

To access the next level of burglar proofing ideas, please read my blog post about indoor wireless security cameras.

 

Last advice, bookmark this page, it will come in handy when you’ll decide on the solutions to implement.

 

 

You may also like...