How to Harden Your Home & Protect Your Family from Intruders

As the world becomes more unpredictable, safeguarding our homes and loved ones has evolved into an art form, demanding strategic preparation and tactical ingenuity. I want to introduce you to a realm where fortification meets foresight and where the ability to harden your home into an impenetrable fortress to protect your family from intruders needs to be prioritized.

You may be sitting there thinking, “It’ll never happen to me” — until it does. In fact, if you think you’re “safe,” your home is probably an easy target. You need to unleash the natural protector within you and to help you, we’re going to explore and unravel the tips and secrets to harden your home. We’ll also uncover some of the weak areas surrounding your home that you never expected to be an easy way of entry into your home by intruders.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. I am not a lawyer or law enforcement. The tips and advice given below are my opinions based on the extensive research I’ve done to harden my home and protect my family.

Why Would You Want to Harden Your Home?
What is the Easiest Way for Criminals to Break into Your Home?
What Can You Do to Harden Your Home?
Conclusion: The Time is NOW to Harden Your Home

Why Would You Want to Harden Your Home?

The concept of wanting to harden your home is rooted in the fundamental belief that preparedness is vital to safeguarding your family and property during uncertain and potentially dangerous times. And if you’re reading this article, this probably isn’t the first time you’re thinking about preparedness (but if it is, welcome to my content/website).

There are various security measures you can take to harden your home and make it more difficult for intruders to gain unauthorized access.

Below are several reasons why you would want to harden your home:

1. Deterrence

The ability to harden your home sends a clear message to potential intruders that your property is not an easy target. Criminals often look for vulnerable and easily accessible homes, and visible security measures can act as a deterrent (such as a big dog or lights outside your home that say on all night), encouraging them to move on to an easier target.

2. Protection of Loved Ones

The primary motivation as to why you want to harden your home should be to protect your family and loved ones from harm. By creating layers of security, you increase the time available to respond to threats, potentially preventing or mitigating harm to those inside.

3. Home as a Fortress

In emergency situations, your home can become a place of refuge. By looking to harden your home, you turn it into a fortress, providing a safe space to retreat during natural disasters, civil unrest, or other critical events.

4. Buying Time for Help

When faced with an intruder, every second counts. Your ability to successfully harden your home can delay an intruder’s entry, providing valuable time to call for help, escape, grab your home defense firearm, or for law enforcement to arrive.

5. Safeguarding Valuables

In addition to protecting lives, when you harden your home, it can safeguard valuable possessions, sentimental items, and important documents from theft.

6. Self-Reliance

Preppers often emphasize self-reliance and self-sufficiency. Being able to harden your home aligns with these principles, as it allows you to take proactive steps to enhance your security and lessen your dependence on external support during emergencies. As you know, I’m big on the mentality that no one is coming to save you.

7. Ensuring Peace of Mind

Knowing that you’ve taken steps to secure and harden your home can offer a sense of peace and reassurance (such as using a tactical door wedge). This peace of mind allows you to focus on other aspects of preparedness and daily life.

8. Fortifying Against Multiple Threats

Going in a different direction but somewhat on the same topic as it relates to wanting to harden your home is that it not only protects against human intruders but also helps defend against other threats like wildlife intrusions, severe weather, and potential accidents.

9. Value in Long-Term Preparedness

The skills and knowledge gained while working to harden your home contribute to your overall preparedness mindset. These skills can be transferable to other aspects of prepping and survival.

10. Responsible Gun Ownership

If you own firearms for home defense (and you should), you need to harden your home. It is essential that getting into your home without proper entry be denied for the safety and security of firearms and ammunition, reducing the risk of unauthorized access. You should also have your firearms locked in a safe. If you’re unsure what type of safe to purchase, read this article we put together for some ideas.

What is the Easiest Way for Criminals to Break into Your Home?

I’d like to think that more people are becoming aware that crime is constantly on the rise and that people need to think about what they can do to not be victims. The first thing as it relates to where you live is thinking about how you can harden your home. But in order for you to do that, you first need to think about how intruders can get into your home.

Walk around your house and think about the things mentioned below. What I appreciate is the fact that even some of my neighbors have come to me and asked them what they can do.

If you want to harden your home and keep intruders out, think about the things below:

1. Unlocked Doors and Windows

Failing to lock doors and windows is one of the most common ways criminals gain entry. Always ensure all entry points are locked, even when you’re at home, if you want to fully protect and harden your home. You can even get something like a door security bar to put on exterior doors at night to prevent entry.

2. Weak Locks

Experienced criminals can easily bypass low-quality locks or poorly installed locks. Invest in high-quality deadbolts and reinforce weak points around the doors and frames so they cannot be easily kicked in. You should also get 3” hinge screws and replace all the screws that go into your exterior door frames, as what contractors tend to use are only 1” and can easily get kicked in.

3. Unsecured Sliding Doors

Sliding doors can be vulnerable if not properly secured. Consider adding secondary locks, security bars, or using a metal rod in the track to prevent them from being forced open. This is a super inexpensive and simple way to harden your home that anyone can do.

4. Hidden Spare Keys

Leaving spare keys in obvious places like under a doormat, flowerpot, or fake rocks provides an easy entry point for intruders and does not help you harden your home. This isn’t 1980, criminals are smarter these days and will look all over for keys. What worked 20 years ago will not work today.

5. Glass Windows and Doors

Thin or old glass windows and doors can be shattered to gain entry. This is a weak point in a home. Consider reinforcing windows with security film or installing shatterproof glass to harden your home. Is it an expense? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely.

6. Unlit Areas

Poorly lit exteriors provide cover for criminals. Install motion-activated lights and cameras to keep the surroundings well-lit or keep lights on around your house, such as your front door, garage, and even the back door, to deter someone from wanting to be seen at your entry points if you want to harden your home.

I’m going to sound harsh here, but I’m going to say it anyway — people these days are stupid. Hear me out. Posting vacation plans or being away from home on social media can signal criminals that your house is unoccupied. Why don’t you just give out your garage and alarm code while you’re at it? Stop posting that you’re away. You can post photos when you get home.

8. Open Garages

Leaving the garage door open or unlocked can allow criminals access to the house or valuable items stored inside. I see people leaving their garage door open all night and not think twice about it. Even if you’re home and the door is open, the door to the inside should be locked. I’m a huge fan of having a combination/keypad doorknob on the door going into your home, which keeps entry points locked at all times to help harden your home.

9. Lack of Security Systems

Homes without security systems are more attractive targets for criminals. Visible security cameras, alarm systems, or monitored home security can act as deterrents and help harden your home. I highly recommend getting some sort of doorbell camera along with indoor and outdoor cameras. I personally like and use Nest so that everything is in one app, and I can look at all cameras simultaneously on one screen.

What Can You Do to Harden Your Home?

The first thing you need to do is stop trying to keep up with the Jones’. Truthfully, no one cares about what you have, all the cool things in your home, or how luxurious your home looks from the outside. Now, I’m not telling you to allow your grass to grow two feet tall or to park your car in your yard, but you don’t need to have the nicest-looking house on the block. That’ll make you a target, and what we want to do is create a fortress and harden your home.

Have a nice yet modest home where you aren’t the biggest house in the neighborhood with fancy cars, a pool that looks like it belongs at a Vegas hotel, a four-car garage, and things that would make people think you’re loaded and have things criminals would want to steal.

Below are some things you can do to harden your home:

1. Reinforce Doors and Windows

Install high-quality deadbolts and strike plates on all exterior doors to harden your home.
Consider using door reinforcement kits or metal bars to strengthen the door frame.
Use security film on windows to make them more resistant to breakage.

2. Upgrade Locks and Entry Points

Consider installing smart locks or electronic entry systems for added security.
Use heavy-duty padlocks on gates and other access points.
Reinforce sliding doors with secondary locks and metal bars to harden your home.

3. Install a Home Security System

Invest in a comprehensive home security system with motion detectors, cameras, and alarms.
Opt for a system that includes monitoring and remote access features.

4. Use Security Cameras and Lighting

Install visible security cameras around the exterior of your home to deter intruders.
Illuminate the perimeter with motion-activated lights, making it difficult for intruders to approach undetected and to harden your home.

5. Secure Garage and Shed

Keep your garage doors closed and locked when not in use.
Ensure that the connecting door between the garage and the house is secure, with strong locks to harden your home.
Lock tools and equipment in a secure shed to prevent burglars from using them to break in.

6. Create Natural Barriers

Plant thorny bushes or hedges near windows and entry points to discourage access and harden your home.
Consider installing gravel paths or decorative rocks around the house, which can make noise and alert you to potential intruders.

7. Utilize Home Automation

Set up timers or smart home automation to turn lights on and off while you’re away, giving the illusion of occupancy.
Use smart plugs to control certain appliances and electronics remotely.

8. Safeguard Sliding Doors and Windows

Place dowels or metal rods in the tracks of sliding doors and windows to prevent them from being forced open.
Install pin locks or window security bars for additional protection and to help harden your home.

9. Fortify Safe Rooms

Designate a safe room within your home where your family can retreat during emergencies.
Reinforce walls, doors, and windows of the safe room for added security.

10. Practice Situational Awareness

Encourage family members to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings.
Keep doors and windows locked, even when you are at home, to harden your home.

11. Conceal Valuables

Keep valuables out of sight from windows and doors to avoid attracting attention.

Conclusion: The Time is NOW to Harden Your Home

In these uncertain times, complacency is not an option. Proactivity stands as the cornerstone of defending what we hold dear. We must all be protectors, mastering the skills of situational awareness and readiness. Only through proactive home defense strategies can we harden your home and provide you with peace of mind.

So, when is the best time to harden your home? Yesterday. Yesterday would have been the best time. But now, the best time is today. The time is now to harden your home, secure your sanctuary, and protect your loved ones.

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How to Harden Your Home & Protect Your Family from Intruders

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