A Home Security Checklist for North Texas Homeowners

Start with who has keys and how your doors close. Then check the other ways someone can enter. This list covers the most useful places to begin without assuming every home needs new hardware.

1. Start with the keys

If you recently moved, lost a key or cannot account for every copy, rekeying is a clean way to reset access without automatically replacing good hardware.

After a move, renovation, or household change, list who should have a key and rekey when previous copies need to stop working.

2. Strengthen the entry

On suitable hinged exterior doors, check that the deadbolt extends fully into a solid strike. A good lock also depends on a sound door, frame, and installation.

3. Secure secondary entries

Sliding doors, French doors, windows, gates and side entries deserve the same attention as the front door, particularly when they are less visible from the street.

Quick home security review
Walk the property with a simple question in mind: if someone needed access today, what key, code, latch or weak entry would make it easiest?

A practical checklist

• Rekey exterior doors when the key history is unknown.

• Check suitable hinged exterior doors for working deadbolts and secure strikes.

• Repair door alignment so every bolt and latch closes completely.

• Secure sliding and French doors with hardware designed for their construction.

• If your lock supports it, use separate or temporary codes instead of sharing one permanent code.

• Review who still has keys, codes and access to garages, gates or storage areas.

4. Check alerts and access before a trip

Cameras, monitored alarms, window sensors and smart-lock alerts can add useful visibility when they support a well-secured physical entry.

Before a trip, confirm the locks are working, update any temporary access and make sure a trusted contact knows how to reach you if something needs attention.