5 Home Security Upgrades Every Sacramento Homeowner Should Make
Most break-ins take under 60 seconds. These five upgrades — several of which cost under $50 — can stop a burglar before they even try your door.
1. Rekey Your Locks After Moving In
This is the single most important thing to do when you move into a new home. You have no idea how many copies of those keys exist. Rekeying costs less than you think and takes a licensed locksmith less than an hour.
2. Install Grade 1 Deadbolts
Most builder-grade deadbolts are Grade 3 — they fail in a single kick. Upgrading to a Schlage B60N or Kwikset 980 (both Grade 1) adds substantial resistance without requiring a door replacement. Cost: $40–$80 per lock.
3. Add a Smart Lock With an Alarm
Smart locks like the Schlage Encode or Yale Assure let you:
- Lock/unlock from your phone anywhere in the world
- Give temporary codes to housekeepers, dog walkers, contractors
- Get an alert every time the door opens
- Receive a tamper alarm if someone tries to force the lock
4. Secure Your Sliding Doors
Sliding glass doors are a favorite entry point. A simple steel rod cut to fit the track costs $5. For better security, add a sliding door bar lock or pin lock through the frame.
5. Light Up Your Entry Points
Motion-activated LED floodlights at every exterior door and dark corner of your yard are one of the cheapest, most effective deterrents available. Most burglars move on when a light hits them.
Bonus: Door Frame Reinforcement
A good lock on a weak frame is pointless. Door frame reinforcement kits (like Door Armor) secure the strike plate with 3-inch screws that go all the way into the stud — turning a kickable door into an extremely solid barrier.
BestBoy Locksmith can assess your home's current security and install any of these upgrades. Call 916-999-5576 or book online.