Home Security in the United States

Supporting information

1. Housing and layout considerations in United States

Security priorities follow how homes are built and used. The notes below reflect common United States layouts — not a claim about crime rates on any particular street.

• Garage-to-home doors are often weaker than front doors and stay unlocked during the day
• Sliding glass patio doors need secondary locks or bars — factory latches alone are often weak
• Side yards and privacy fencing can hide approaches; lighting restores natural surveillance
• Apartments and condos need attention to unit doors, patio glazing, and shared parking
• Porch package volume is high in many suburbs — use lockers, boxes, or neighbour holds
• Long summer daylight and holiday travel change routines — check locks and deliveries before trips

Upgrade exterior door deadbolts and strike plates first, then treat garage-to-house doors and sliding glass doors as primary layers — not secondary. Many US police crime-prevention tips emphasise locking garage and patio doors, lighting dark approaches, and reducing visible packages. Side yards and privacy fencing can hide approaches; lighting and trimmed vegetation restore visibility. Include side gates and detached garage doors in the same review as the front door. Peak shopping seasons and holiday travel are good times to tighten delivery instructions and absence routines.

2. Apartments and multi-dwelling homes

Apartments and condos focus on the unit door, sliding or patio glazing, and shared lobby or parking habits. Building cameras and entry systems help but do not replace solid unit-door hardware and consistent locking of balcony or patio doors. Follow HOA or lease rules for cameras and parcel boxes.

For deeper topic guidance, see apartment security, balcony door security, and layered home security.

3. Renters and shared decision-making

Renters should get landlord approval before changing locksets or drilling frames. Portable sliding-door devices, window locks, lighting you control, and documented lock upgrades are typical rental-friendly options under US lease rules — always check your lease first.

Also useful: rental property security and landlord and tenant security.

4. How official crime data fits (and what this page does not do)

US crime information hubs and the free assessment publish official county-level burglary rates from validated FBI UCR / Crime Data Explorer sources (city or town resolves to county for crime geography). Non-participant or limited-reporting counties are disclosed; missing data is never shown as zero. This guide does not invent rates.

County rates appear on US crime hubs and in the assessment — never invented on this guide.

Official burglary statistics for HSP US crime pages are rolled up at county level from validated FBI UCR / CDE sources. The assessment discloses reporting geography for your selected place. Local police and sheriff crime-prevention pages publish locking and lighting advice; follow your agency for non-emergency contact.

Official United States burglary statistics · United States country page · Start the free assessment · Using local burglary trends wisely · How the home security assessment works

5. Topic articles that pair well with this guide

• Deadlocks — physical entry resistance
• Window security — accessible glass
• Security lighting — visibility after dark
• CCTV placement — detection after the basics
• How burglars choose targets — opportunistic patterns
• New homeowner checklist — first-week actions

Emergency contacts: In an emergency in the United States, call 911. For non-emergency police matters, use the non-emergency number published by your local police or sheriff’s office.