Day 1: Before You Move In
Rekey or replace every lock — all exterior doors
This is not optional. Rekeying means a locksmith changes the pins inside the existing lock cylinder so old keys no longer work — all your new keys will be unique. Cost: $20–40 per lock. Replacement is more expensive but appropriate if the locks are old or low-grade. Include: front door, back door, side door, and any door from the garage into the house. Don't forget: change the garage door opener code and any exterior keypad codes.
Test every window — does it open and does it lock?
Walk every room and test each window. In older homes especially, windows swell and won't close properly, latches break and don't engage, or locks are so worn they're purely decorative. Note any that don't work — those need immediate attention. A window that won't fully close is an entry point.
Find all your main shutoffs and label them
Water main: typically in the basement, crawl space, or near the water meter outside. Turn it off and back on so you know it works.
Gas shutoff: at the exterior gas meter — you'll need a wrench. Write the location in your phone now, before you need it in a panic.
Electrical panel: label every breaker. A labeled panel is a 20-minute project that saves hours of fumbling in a power emergency.
Check and place smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Most jurisdictions require: a smoke detector in every bedroom, in the hallway outside bedrooms, and on every floor. CO detectors are required near sleeping areas, especially if you have an attached garage, gas appliances, or a furnace. Test all existing detectors. Replace any that fail or chirp. Replace batteries in all of them. If needed, most code requires them within 10 years of manufacture (date is printed on the back).
First Week: Exterior and Neighbors
Introduce yourself to immediate neighbors
Knock on the doors of your immediate neighbors within the first week. Introduce yourself, exchange numbers. Tell them you just moved in and to feel free to reach out if they notice anything unusual. This is genuinely your most powerful security upgrade — neighbors who know you will call you (or police) if they see something wrong. Neighbors who don't know you won't notice a thing.
Trim overgrown bushes near doors, windows, and fence gates
Overgrown landscaping near entry points is concealment cover. Trim hedges near your front and back doors to below 3 feet. Cut back anything that blocks the line of sight between neighboring windows and your doors. This doesn't have to be done all at once, but prioritize entry points first.
Check exterior lighting — does it cover all entry points?
Walk around your home at night before moving in if you can. Look for: the front door, back door, garage, side gates, and any path around the house. Any area in complete darkness is a potential approach route. Motion-activated lights on all entry points are a significant deterrent. Budget: $15–25 per fixture at any hardware store, installs in any existing socket.
Secure the garage door emergency release exploit
The emergency release cord on most garage doors can be triggered from outside using a coat hanger or wire inserted through the gap at the top of the door. Fix: thread a zip tie through the hole in the emergency release lever. The zip tie lets you pull it manually in a real emergency (it'll snap) but prevents a wire from hooking it from outside. Cost: $0.
First Month: Document and Protect
Create a home inventory — now, before anything happens
Walk through every room and video everything on your phone. Open drawers, closets, and cabinets. Note serial numbers for: TVs, laptops, gaming consoles, bicycles, tools, jewelry. Upload the video to cloud storage (Google Photos, iCloud). This takes 30 minutes and is absolutely invaluable for an insurance claim after theft or a fire. Most people try to do this from memory after a loss — it doesn't work well.
Review your homeowners insurance coverage
The coverage that came with your mortgage may not be sufficient. Key questions: Is the dwelling coverage equal to the actual cost to rebuild (not market value)? Are your belongings covered at replacement cost or actual cash value? Is jewelry, art, or collectibles specifically covered (often requires a rider)? Is your deductible realistic? Many new homeowners discover they're significantly underinsured only after they need to file a claim.
Learn your neighborhood's crime patterns
Your local police department publishes crime statistics — often by neighborhood or block. Some departments have online dashboards or respond to public records requests. Apps like Citizen and Nextdoor show recent reported incidents near you. Understanding what types of incidents happen in your area (car break-ins vs. residential burglaries vs. package theft) lets you prioritize the right countermeasures.
Consider a security system — now while you're setting everything up
The best time to install a security system is before you need one — not after a break-in when you're reacting and possibly overspending. DIY systems like SimpliSafe and Ring Alarm take under two hours to install and require no professional. You own the equipment and can take it when you move. Starting monitoring at $19.99/month during the highest-risk period (first year in a new home) is a reasonable investment.
The complete new homeowner security kit
SimpliSafe + August Smart Lock + Bitwarden covers your home, your lock, and your accounts — from $19.99/month total.
Ongoing: Annual Security Habits
Rekey after any contractor visit
Any time you give a key to a contractor, cleaner, or service person — if they don't return it, or if the relationship ends badly, rekey. It costs $30 and eliminates the uncertainty.
Change alarm codes when relationships change
If a houseguest learned your alarm code, a former partner knows your door code, or an employee had access — change the code. Smart locks make this trivially easy.
Update your home inventory annually
Once a year, add new significant purchases to your home inventory video. A new TV, bicycle, or piece of jewelry should be documented before it could ever need to be claimed.
Test smoke and CO detectors every 6 months
Press the test button. Replace batteries annually even if they seem fine. Replace the units themselves after 10 years — the sensors degrade and fail to detect at normal levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to rekey all the locks in a house?
Rekeying typically costs $20–40 per lock cylinder, plus a service fee of $50–75 for the locksmith to come out. A house with 3–4 exterior doors usually runs $100–200 total. Replacing locks entirely is more expensive ($80–200+ per lock), but appropriate if the existing hardware is low-grade or worn. Many locksmiths offer a moving-in special if you ask.
Should I replace locks or just rekey them?
Rekeying is sufficient if the existing locks are good quality (look for Grade 1 or Grade 2 ANSI rating). If the existing locks are cheap builder-grade deadbolts — common in many new construction and older homes — replacing them with a quality Grade 1 deadbolt is worth the upgrade. When in doubt, ask a locksmith to assess the existing hardware.
I just moved into a rental. Can I change the locks?
Most lease agreements require landlord approval to change locks. However, many states give tenants the right to change locks for safety reasons (especially after a lease violation by another party). In some states, you can change locks and simply provide the landlord with a copy of the new key. Check your state's landlord-tenant law — many tenant rights organizations provide free consultations.