Securing Your Home

Residential Security

Residential security is the foundation: keeping your home protected from intruders. Many people unknowingly create risk — the classic mistake is hiding a spare key under a mat, flowerpot, or by a lamppost, where intruders look first. Regularly assess every entrance point, and make sure exterior doors have professional-quality, properly installed locks.

Establishing a Safe Haven

A safe haven — sometimes called a safe room — gives you a place to shelter without leaving home, whether the threat is a natural disaster or an intruder. It can be as elaborate as a purpose-built addition or as simple as a reinforced closet or bathroom. The key is preparing it in advance. Stock your safe room with:

• • A means of communication (charged phone)
• • An emergency medical / first-aid kit
• • At least five days of non-perishable food
• • At least one gallon of water per person, per day
• • A fire extinguisher and flashlight

For storm protection, build to FEMA’s standards — see FEMA Safe Rooms.

Home Security While You’re Away

Homes are most vulnerable when owners are out of town. Don’t broadcast your plans — especially on social media. Tell a trusted friend or family member, and arrange for someone to check in and collect your mail so it doesn’t pile up and signal an empty house. Use electric timers to turn lights on and off so the home looks occupied. Before you leave, update insurance and photograph or video your valuables in case you ever need to file a claim.

Fire Safety at Home

Equip your home to detect fire early: install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, keep fire extinguishers on hand, and routinely check electrical wiring and gas sources. Just as important, give your family an exit strategy with a designated escape route and an outside meeting place, and practice it. For a full walkthrough, see our home fire safety guide.

Staying Safe Away From Home

Personal Security While Traveling

Try not to look like a tourist. Familiarize yourself with local customs, and keep your passport and important documents out of sight. Don’t isolate yourself on trains, buses, or planes, and never doze off on public transportation — stay alert. When you enter a new space, note the emergency exits and alarms and position yourself near them. Traveling abroad? Check current U.S. Department of State travel advisories and enroll in the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

Personal Security in Hotels

Protect your details at hotels — never discuss your itinerary where it can be overheard. Request a room on the third floor or higher for security, but no higher than the fifth floor so fire-escape access stays fast. Don’t get too friendly with strangers or invite anyone back to your room, and use the hotel safe for valuables rather than leaving them out. Be cautious of overly helpful strangers; many travelers have been taken advantage of by seemingly kind locals.

Personal & Family Safety

Safety Tips for Children

Children of all ages should be prepared. Teach them the dangers of strangers — never to go with them or let them into the home — and make sure they know their full name, address, and phone number, and how to call 911. If they’re home alone and the phone rings, they should never reveal that no adult is present. Coach them to say, “I’m sorry, he or she can’t come to the phone right now. May I take a message?” rather than “They aren’t here.” Make sure children also know a safe place to go if trouble arises.

Suspicious Mail & Parcels

Stay alert with mail, and teach children never to open packages. Be wary of items with no return address or a misspelled one, markings like “personal” or “confidential,” a strange odor or stains, excessive postage, lopsided shape, or unusual weight. If you suspect a dangerous package, don’t touch it — call authorities. See the U.S. Postal Inspection Service guide to suspicious mail.

Carjacking Prevention

Carjackers often exploit good intentions — faking a breakdown or an accident, approaching at stoplights, or catching you as you enter or exit your vehicle. If you see someone who appears stranded, call the authorities rather than stopping. Get into your vehicle quickly and lock the doors right away; wait until you’re at the car to use a key-fob unlock, and don’t walk through a lot with keys in hand. Never leave your vehicle unlocked or with the windows down.

Recognizing Surveillance

Criminals sometimes study a person or home to learn routines and find an opening. It can be hard to detect, but watch for signs you’re being followed or watched, and vary your daily routine to throw off anyone observing you. Be wary of vehicles — especially vans disguised as utility or service companies — that linger near your home. If you suspect you’re under surveillance, contact the authorities.

Personal Safety & Assault Prevention

A self-defense class can build the confidence and skills that help prevent an assault. Consider carrying a personal alarm or whistle — a loud blast can deter an attacker. If your vehicle breaks down and a stranger approaches, stay inside with the windows up and doors locked and ask them to call for help. Walk or jog with a companion when you can, and above all, trust your instincts: if a person or situation feels wrong, leave immediately. For support, the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline is free and confidential, 24/7, at 800-656-HOPE.

Authoritative Safety Resources

A curated, current set of trusted federal and national resources for deeper guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common home, travel, and personal safety questions.