Rachel Kim
Residential Security Specialist
Apr 20, 2026 8 min read
Most break-ins aren't the work of master criminals — they're opportunistic. A burglar walking through a neighborhood is looking for the easiest door, the darkest corner, the lock that gives way in seconds. As locksmiths who respond to calls across Raleigh, the Five Towns, the Rockaways, and the JFK corridor every single day, we see firsthand what makes a home a target and what keeps it off the list. The good news: most of the best deterrents cost very little.
This guide pulls together the practical, no-fluff advice we give our customers after every lockout, lock change, or security consultation. Whether you live in a detached home in Lawrence, an apartment in Far Rockaway, or a townhouse near JFK, these steps apply to you — and most of them you can start on today.
Start at the Front Door — It's Still the Most Common Entry Point
Around 34% of burglars walk straight through the front door, according to FBI crime data. That means your first line of defense isn't an alarm system — it's the hardware on your door. A deadbolt is the baseline, but not all deadbolts are equal. Look for a Grade 1 deadbolt (the highest residential rating under ANSI/BHMA standards) with a bolt throw of at least one inch. If your current lock wiggles, feels stiff, or is more than 10–15 years old, it's worth having a locksmith assess it.
Beyond the lock itself, pay attention to the door frame and strike plate. A deadbolt is only as strong as what it's bolted into. Many older homes in our area have shallow strike plates held in by short screws that pull right out of the wood under a firm kick. Ask your locksmith to install a reinforced strike plate with 3-inch screws that reach the door's structural framing — it's a five-minute fix that dramatically increases kick-in resistance. While you're at it, check that your door is solid-core, not hollow. Hollow doors can be breached with a single hard blow.
Don't Overlook Side Doors, Sliding Doors, and Windows
Front doors get all the attention, but burglars know that too. Side and back doors — especially those screened from the street by fencing or shrubbery — are frequent entry points precisely because nobody is watching. Make sure every exterior door has its own quality deadbolt, not just a knob lock. Sliding glass doors deserve special attention: the standard latch that comes with most patio doors is notoriously weak. Add a secondary lock (a sliding bolt or bar lock at the top of the frame) and drop a cut-down wooden dowel or metal security bar into the track to prevent the door from being forced open even if the latch is defeated.
Ground-floor windows are the other overlooked vulnerability. Window locks that come factory-installed are often flimsy. For double-hung windows, a simple keyed sash lock or even a drilled pin through the frame costs a few dollars and makes the window very difficult to open from outside. For any window you want to ventilate safely, drill the pin hole at an angle that lets the window open only three or four inches — enough for airflow, not enough for entry.
Lighting and Landscaping Are Free Security Tools
Darkness is a burglar's best friend. Motion-activated lights at your front door, side gates, garage, and backyard cost $20–$50 per fixture and pay for themselves immediately in deterrence. Position them high enough that they can't easily be unscrewed or knocked out, and aim them to eliminate shadows rather than just illuminate a single point. If you're renting and can't install hardwired fixtures, plug-in solar motion lights work surprisingly well for ground-level pathways and back porches.
Landscaping matters more than most homeowners realize. Tall, dense hedges alongside the front path or under ground-floor windows create perfect concealment for someone trying to work a lock or break a pane without being seen. Keep bushes trimmed to below window height, and avoid planting large evergreens right against the house. On the flip side, a thorny shrub like a rose bush or holly planted directly under a window is a genuine deterrent — nobody wants to climb through that.
Upgrade Your Habits, Not Just Your Hardware
The most secure lock in the world doesn't help if you leave a spare key under the doormat. We hear this constantly: 'I just left it there for the kids.' Spare keys under mats, in flower pots, or on top of door frames are found and used by burglars regularly — it's one of the first places they check. Instead, invest in a quality combination lockbox (a real one, bolted to the wall or railing, not a cheap box you hang on the door handle) or, better yet, consider a smart lock with a temporary access code you can issue and revoke as needed.
Get into the habit of locking up even when you're home, especially if you're in the backyard or upstairs. Many daytime burglaries happen through an unlocked front door while the homeowner is present but distracted. When you travel, use timers on indoor lights to simulate occupancy, pause your mail and deliveries (or have a neighbor collect packages), and avoid announcing your vacation on social media until after you're back. These habits cost nothing and close the easy opportunities that most opportunistic burglars are looking for.
When to Call a Locksmith for a Security Upgrade
Sometimes a walk-through with a professional eye is the most efficient thing you can do. A licensed locksmith can assess your entire property in 20–30 minutes and give you a prioritized list of what actually needs attention versus what's already solid. Common upgrades we recommend — and can install on the spot — include high-security lock cylinders with anti-pick and anti-drill pins (useful in denser neighborhoods like those around JFK, where package theft and residential break-ins do occur), door reinforcement kits, smart deadbolts for keyless entry, and garage door lock upgrades. The cost of any upgrade depends on your existing hardware, the brand and grade of lock selected, and how much modification the door frame requires — a locksmith can give you an honest, itemized quote before any work begins.
If you've just moved into a home or apartment, rekeying should be non-negotiable. You have no way of knowing how many copies of the old key are out there — previous tenants, contractors, neighbors who were trusted by the last owner. Rekeying (or replacing) your locks immediately is the single fastest way to reset your security baseline. It's a quick, affordable job and gives you complete confidence that only your keys open your doors.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between rekeying a lock and replacing it — and which do I need?+
Rekeying means a locksmith changes the internal pins of your existing lock cylinder so that old keys no longer work and a new key does. The hardware stays in place. It's typically faster and less expensive than full replacement, and it's the right call when your current lock is in good working condition and the right grade for your door. Lock replacement makes more sense when the lock is worn, damaged, low-quality, or you want to upgrade to a higher-security or smart lock. A locksmith can examine what you have and recommend the right path — there's no one-size-fits-all answer.
Are smart locks actually more secure than traditional deadbolts?+
It depends on the model and how you use it. A high-quality smart lock from a reputable brand can be just as physically secure as a Grade 1 deadbolt — and adds real convenience like temporary access codes, remote locking, and entry logs. The vulnerabilities are different, though: weak or reused PIN codes, outdated firmware, and poor Wi-Fi security can create risks that a traditional lock doesn't have. Our advice: choose a smart lock that also has a physical key override, use a strong unique PIN, keep the firmware updated, and make sure the lock carries a Grade 1 or Grade 2 ANSI rating. Combined with good habits, smart locks are a solid upgrade.
I live in an apartment and my landlord controls the locks. What can I actually do?+
More than most renters realize. First, ask your landlord in writing to rekey the unit before you move in — many are legally or contractually obligated to do so in New York. For interior security, a door security bar (a bar wedged under the door handle and against the floor) adds significant kick-in resistance without any installation. Chain locks and door reinforcement plates often require only a screwdriver and are easily removed when you leave. For sliding doors and windows, the bar-in-the-track method and angled pin locks require no permanent changes. If you feel strongly about upgrading the primary lock, have a direct conversation with your landlord — some will allow it if you provide them a copy of the key.
How quickly can you respond, and do you really come out at 2 AM?+
Yes, genuinely. Raleigh Pro Locksmith operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — including overnight, weekends, and holidays. We serve Raleigh, the Five Towns, the Rockaways, and the JFK area, and we dispatch mobile locksmiths who come to you. If you're locked out at midnight, need an emergency lock change after a break-in at 3 AM, or want a security assessment first thing Saturday morning, we're available. Response times vary based on location and how busy we are, but we'll give you an honest ETA when you call. Reach us any time at (516) 346-5505.
