In this guide
Basic Home Security Measures
Feeling safe in your home is fundamental to your wellbeing. This is especially true when you live alone. Your home should be your sanctuary, and taking a few basic security steps can dramatically increase both your safety and your peace of mind.
Home security doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. Many of the most effective measures are simple habits and low-cost upgrades that anyone can implement. Let's start with the fundamentals that every senior living alone should have in place.
Door and Window Locks
Your home's first line of defense is its locks. Here's what you need to know to make sure yours are doing their job.
Deadbolt Locks on All Exterior Doors
Every exterior door should have a deadbolt lock in addition to the lock in the door handle. Deadbolts provide much stronger security than spring-latch locks alone. Install deadbolts with a one-inch throw (the length of the bolt that extends into the door frame). Keyless deadbolts that use a code instead of a key are an excellent option for seniors — no more fumbling for keys.
Reinforce Door Frames
A lock is only as strong as the door frame it secures. The strike plate (the metal piece on the door frame where the bolt goes) should be secured with three-inch screws that reach into the wall's framing studs, not the short half-inch screws that come standard. This simple upgrade makes it much harder to kick a door open.
Window Locks
Install window locks on all ground-floor windows and any windows accessible from a fire escape or balcony. Sliding windows and doors should have a security bar or pin in the track to prevent them from being lifted off or slid open from outside. Pin locks for sliding windows cost just a few dollars and are easy to install.
Peephole or Doorbell Camera
Never open your door without knowing who is on the other side. Install a peephole (door viewer) at your eye level. Better yet, install a video doorbell that lets you see and speak to visitors from your phone without opening the door. Video doorbells are affordable, easy to install, and provide recorded evidence if something happens.
Smart Home Security Technology
Technology has made home security more accessible and affordable than ever. These tools can provide significant peace of mind for seniors living alone.
Video Doorbells
A video doorbell lets you see who is at your door, speak with them, and record video — all from your phone or tablet. Brands like Ring, Nest, and Wyze offer models starting at $30-60. They're easy to install (most are wireless) and can be monitored by family members remotely. This is perhaps the single best security investment a solo senior can make.
Smart Lights
Smart lights can be programmed to turn on and off at specific times, making it look like someone is home even when you're out. You can also control them from your phone. Place smart lights in the living room and bedroom and set them to different schedules — this is one of the most effective burglary deterrents.
Motion-Activated Security Lights
Install motion-activated lights at all entry points — front door, back door, garage, and ground-floor windows. Lights that turn on when someone approaches startle potential intruders and alert you to activity outside your home. Solar-powered options are available if you don't have outdoor electrical outlets.
Simple Alarm Systems
You don't need an expensive monitored alarm system. Simple door and window sensors that chime when opened cost very little. Some systems can send alerts to your phone or to a family member's phone. For many seniors, a simple system that makes a loud sound when a door opens is sufficient deterrent.
Handling Unexpected Visitors
When you live alone, how you handle unexpected visitors is a critical safety skill. Scammers and criminals often target seniors through door-to-door approaches.
Never Open the Door to Strangers
Your door is your barrier. Never open it to someone you don't know or weren't expecting. Use your peephole or video doorbell to see who's there. Speak through the closed door. If someone claims to be from a utility company, ask for their ID and call the company to verify — legitimate workers will understand and wait.
Ask for Identification
Anyone who needs access to your home — utility workers, repair technicians, police officers — will have proper identification. Ask to see it through your peephole or doorbell camera. If you're still unsure, call the organization they claim to represent to verify their identity. Real professionals will not be offended.
Have a Script Ready
Prepare a simple response: "I'm not interested, thank you. Please leave." Practice saying it firmly through the door. You don't need to explain, apologize, or justify. If someone persists, say you're calling the police. Most scammers will leave immediately when they hear this.
Beware of Common Doorstep Scams
Common door-to-door scams include: driveway paving, roof repairs, tree trimming, magazine subscriptions, charity collections, and "free home inspections." Legitimate contractors do not go door-to-door offering unsolicited services. Always get multiple quotes from companies you call yourself.
Outdoor Security & Lighting
Your home's exterior is your first line of defense. A well-maintained, well-lit exterior discourages potential intruders before they even approach your door.
Keep Landscaping Trimmed
Trim bushes and trees near windows and doors. Overgrown landscaping provides hiding places for potential intruders. Keep shrubs trimmed below window level and maintain clear sight lines from the street to your entry points.
Outdoor Lighting
Install lights at every entrance — front door, back door, side door, and garage. Motion-activated lights are effective and energy-efficient. Consider leaving a porch light on from dusk to dawn, or use a timer or smart bulb to automate your lighting schedule.
Secure Your Garage
If you have an attached garage, it's a common entry point for burglars. Keep the garage door closed and locked at all times. Install a garage door timer that automatically closes the door after a set period. Never leave the garage door opener in your car.
Neighborhood Watch & Community Safety
One of the best security measures for seniors is a network of neighbors who look out for each other. You don't need a formal program — just a few relationships can make a significant difference.
Get to Know Your Neighbors
Introduce yourself to neighbors on both sides and across the street. Exchange phone numbers. Let them know you live alone and ask them to watch for suspicious activity. Most neighbors are happy to help — they just need to know you'd appreciate it.
Create a Check-In System
Set up a simple check-in system with a neighbor or friend. A daily text, a visible light in a certain window, or a morning phone call can confirm you're okay. If they don't hear from you by a certain time, they check on you. This system provides both security and medical safety.
Hold Mail When Traveling
When you're away, have the post office hold your mail or ask a neighbor to collect it. Overflowing mail is a clear signal that no one is home. Also arrange for someone to take out your trash bins on collection day and vary the timing of your lights using timers.