Find the weak route before choosing more equipment
Walk the property in the order an intruder, visitor, child or emergency responder would experience it. Score exposure, consequence and existing controls, then fix the highest-priority routes first.
Use a simple priority score: likelihood from 1–3 plus consequence from 1–3. Address scores of 5–6 first, but correct any immediate life-safety hazard regardless of score.
Before entering the property
| Area | Check |
|---|---|
| Boundary and approach | Ownership is clear; gates guide normal access; vegetation does not provide concealment; public and neighbour areas are not unnecessarily recorded. |
| Drive and parking | Keys are not visible or reachable; vehicles and bikes have independent security; lighting supports identification without glare. |
| Garden and outbuildings | Tools, ladders and bins cannot assist entry; sheds are anchored and alarmed according to value; side routes are controlled. |
| External utilities | Power, broadband, alarm cabling and control boxes are not easily disabled without detection. |
Room-by-room walkthrough
| Room or zone | Questions |
|---|---|
| Entrance hall | Can keys, bags or personal information be reached or seen? Can occupants identify a visitor without opening the door? |
| Living room | Are valuables visible from outside? Do windows and patio doors lock properly? Would an indoor camera record private daily life unnecessarily? |
| Kitchen and utility | Are rear doors and accessible windows treated as primary entrances? Are knives, tools, keys or alarm controls visible from glazing? |
| Garage | Does the house-connection door provide a second secure layer? Are release cords, remotes, tools and vehicle keys protected? |
| Bedrooms | Are accessible upper windows, flat roofs and balconies considered? Can occupants call for help and leave safely? |
| Home office | Are devices, confidential papers, account recovery and network equipment protected from physical and remote access? |
| Children’s or care spaces | Do locks, gates and sensors support safety without trapping someone? Are cameras proportionate and understood? |
System and response checks
- Every door and window closes, aligns and locks as designed.
- The alarm is routinely armed and every fault is investigated.
- Cameras produce useful exported footage by day and night.
- Router, recorder, hub and communications failure paths are tested.
- Household users have individual accounts and two-factor authentication.
- Keyholders know the call order and can reach the property.
- Emergency exits remain quick, obvious and usable.
- Serial numbers, receipts and essential insurance information are stored securely.
Turn findings into a plan
- Photograph or note the weakness without exposing the record publicly.
- Assign likelihood, consequence and urgency.
- Fix habits and maintenance before buying technology.
- Strengthen the building shell before relying on alerts.
- Add detection, verification and response in layers.
- Retest after installation, building work or household changes.
Use the supporting tools
Get a tailored starting point · Plan placement · Review detached-home layers · Open all planning tools
Official starting points: Police.uk home-security checklist and Secured by Design guidance.
Last checked: 1 September 2026. Product standards, building rules and emergency arrangements differ locally.
Using this after an incident?
Start with the first-hour break-in checklist, preserve the scene, then use the post-burglary security review before buying replacements.