Check these first: deadbolt on every exterior door, 3-inch screws in strike plates, rekey after move-in, no hide-a-key, and working smart lock batteries. These five stop most break-ins.
We have been inside thousands of Sonoma County homes over the past 14 years — from Victorians in downtown Santa Rosa to ranch houses in Sebastopol to hillside builds in Fountaingrove. Most homeowners miss the same handful of security gaps. This 15-point checklist comes from what we actually see in the field, not generic advice from a website that has never picked a lock.
Doors and Entry Points (Points 1-5)
1. Every exterior door has a deadbolt — not just a knob lock. If any door is missing a deadbolt, add a Grade 2 Schlage or Kwikset for $85. 2. Deadbolts extend at least 1 inch into the frame. Grab a ruler and check. Short throw = kickable. 3. Strike plates are secured with 3-inch screws into the stud, not the 3/4-inch screws that come in the box. This single upgrade stops most kick-in break-ins. We see the short screws on 80% of homes we visit. 4. Sliding glass doors have a security bar or pin lock in the track. A broomstick works but a dedicated bar is better. 5. The garage man-door (the one between the garage and the house) has a deadbolt. Most people lock the front door and leave the garage entry wide open.
Locks and Keys (Points 6-10)
6. You rekeyed when you moved in. If not, do it now — $25 per lock. 7. You know where every copy of your house key is. If you gave one to a contractor, dog walker, or ex-roommate, rekey. 8. No hide-a-key under the mat or in a fake rock. Burglars check those first. Use a keypad lock or smart lock for guest access instead. 9. Your locks are less than 15 years old and show no visible rust, wobble, or sticking. If they fail any of these, replace. 10. If you have a home safe, you know the combination and it is bolted to the floor or wall. An unanchored safe is just a heavy box someone can carry out.
Smart Home and Lighting (Points 11-13)
11. Exterior lights cover all entry points. Motion-activated lights on the driveway, back door, and side gate. Dark corners invite trouble. 12. If you have smart locks, the firmware is updated and the battery level is above 30%. A dead smart lock battery is the number one lockout call we get in Santa Rosa. 13. Your Wi-Fi network has a strong password and your smart lock is not on a guest network. A compromised Wi-Fi network can unlock a poorly configured smart lock.
Neighborhood and Habits (Points 14-15)
14. A trusted neighbor has your phone number and knows what your cars look like. Neighborhood awareness stops more break-ins than any lock. 15. When traveling, do not announce it on social media. Use a smart lock with an auto-lock timer, put lights on a schedule, and have someone pick up packages. A Fountaingrove homeowner learned this the hard way — posted vacation photos on Instagram, came home to a kicked-in side door. We installed a Medeco deadbolt and 3-inch strike screws the next morning. Call (707) 775-7069 if you want us to walk your home and check all 15 points in person.