A home safety plan works best when everyone understands it. Equipment can support the plan, but a working lock, a clear exit and an agreed meeting place each solve a different problem. Treat the following as a starting point to adapt to your home, not a promise that a particular device will keep you safe.
Start with one walk-through
Use the Home Safety Check to list what needs attention. Pick one action you can take today, one repair to arrange and one conversation to have. You do not need to buy anything to begin.
1. Check entry points without creating an escape problem
From inside your home, check the doors and accessible windows you actually use. Does each close fully? Does the latch engage without forcing it? Is there damage you have learned to work around? Write down the specific defect rather than simply deciding that a door feels unsafe.
For a rental, report faulty hardware to the landlord or property manager and check the lease before altering fixtures. Use qualified help for repairs you cannot assess. Any added security must preserve emergency exit access. Do not improvise barriers that could trap someone inside.
2. Make lighting useful
Think about the journey into your home: getting out of the car, finding the step, unlocking the door and moving through a dark hallway. Check those areas after dusk from a safe position. A brighter bulb is not automatically a better solution if it creates glare or deep shadows.
Start by replacing a failed bulb or reporting a broken fixture. If you add a motion light, consider its position, how it is powered and whether you can test it safely. Keep a working flashlight in a predictable place for outages. Ask an electrician to handle wiring.
3. Separate alarm functions
Life-safety alarms
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms address specific hazards. Follow placement, testing and replacement instructions for each device. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends testing smoke alarms monthly and having alarms in bedrooms, near sleeping areas and on each level.
Security alerts
A local door alarm makes noise. A monitored system may notify a service under its contract. A phone notification requires the necessary power, connectivity and settings. Confirm what happens when your own alarm activates; do not assume it calls for help.
For a rental or trip, use our door-alarm buying checklist to compare mounting, power and setup requirements before choosing a device.
See the USFA smoke-alarm guidance. Local requirements and manufacturer instructions determine the right setup for your building. A portable personal alarm is a separate tool and cannot replace home life-safety alarms.
4. Agree on what people will do
Write a short plan people can find under stress. Identify exits, an outside meeting place and a contact outside the immediate area. Think through children, visitors, pets and anyone who needs help hearing an alarm or moving safely. Keep essential numbers on paper as well as on phones.
The U.S. Fire Administration recommends planning escape routes and practicing together. The American Red Cross also advises planning for separation and for different emergencies. Follow your building's evacuation arrangements and local emergency instructions.
5. Include digital access
Review who has access to connected cameras, doorbells and household accounts. The FTC recommends updating routers and replacing default administrative credentials. Use unique passwords and supported account protections. Check sharing when roommates, relationships or devices change. If an abusive person may monitor your devices, seek specialist advice from a safer device before making changes.
Make the plan easy to maintain
Assign tasks to an actual person. “Check the alarms” is vague; “Alex checks the smoke alarms on the first Saturday using the instructions” is a routine. Set another review after a move, a new household member, a changed work schedule or a device replacement.
Keep the list manageable. If an item needs a contractor or your landlord, record the problem and next contact. Do not postpone every useful action because one repair is outside your control.
Common questions
What should I do first if my budget is limited?
Check what you already have: working locks, clear exits, functioning alarms, a flashlight and reachable contacts. Prioritize faults you identify. Ask your local fire department whether alarm assistance is available.
Can renters use this plan?
Yes. Observing defects, reporting repairs, keeping routes clear and agreeing on communication do not require a permanent installation. Get permission and qualified advice before changing hardware or wiring.
Does finishing this checklist mean my home is safe?
No. It is an educational planning aid, not an inspection or a risk assessment. Conditions can change and some problems need professional assessment.
Publication: Less Lethal Guide, founded by Chris Marciano, a retired police sergeant and founder of Prepare To Act. This source-based guide does not claim a personal inspection, product test or individual legal advice. Sources checked September 18, 2026. In an immediate emergency, call emergency services from a safe location when possible.