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According to The latest FBI crime datathe number of burglaries in the United States has fallen to a historic low, with approximately 77,779,542 reported in 2024. This is a rate of 229.2 per 100,000 people. This is an 8.6% decrease from 2023 and a 38% decrease from 2019. Why the dramatic decline? This is likely thanks to the growing popularity of video doorbells, motion-sensing lights and other surveillance technologies.
If you haven’t yet caught on to the smartphone craze, we’ll introduce you to some of the best ways to keep an eye on your home. We’re also here to remind you that the best home security measures are old-school classics, like deadbolts and door bars.
Outdoor security camera
Image: Amazon
The body of this video camera is sturdy and well built, and its 2K video quality is impressive. If you upgrade to a monthly subscription, you can reach 4K quality. Rated as the best overall pick in our tested guide to the best outdoor security cameras, this camera integrates seamlessly with Apple Home products.
Video doorbell
Image: Amazon
A top performer in our tested guide to the best video doorbells, the EUFY Security S220 video doorbell doesn’t require subscription fees or cloud storage, like most other video doorbells do. The EUFY app guides installation with a helpful video. Our tester was also impressed with the 2K HD video quality. Best of all, we love that the doorbell’s video footage is stored on EUFY’s 16GB of encrypted local storage instead of the cloud.
Door security bar
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Villa
This sturdy metal security bar from MasterLock fits snugly under a doorknob and prevents intruders from opening the door from the outside. It’s a great buy for commuters or renters who can’t afford permanent repairs to their doors. When it’s not in use, the security bar easily folds down to a length of approximately 16.5 inches. The long sleeves are easy to pull down.
Read more: Master Lock Folding Door Security Bar Hands-on Review
Sliding door security bar
Image: Amazon
Ideal Security’s sliding door security bar mounts to the door frame with screws to the middle of the door instead of the bottom, so there’s no need to bend to remove the device. Childproof lock keeps small children safe. The bar swings up and down when not in use, and telescopes into any size doorway between its minimum and maximum length.
Deadbolt lock
Image: Amazon
This deadbolt from Sludge, a top pick in our tested guide to the best door locks, offers a high level of security and is worth the extra money. With its Grade 1 ANSI rating, the Schlage is one of the most secure locks you can put on your exterior doors. It features a 1-inch deadbolt, anti-drill plates, and anti-pick pins that make it well-equipped to defend against multiple attempts to defeat it.
Solar security lights
Photo: Michelle Larson for Bob Villa
Autec solar lights automatically click on bright any time they detect motion within 26 feet. In our review of Autec solar security lights, we found that the IP65 rated lights stood up to extreme weather. Place them by the driveway entry, on the deck, hang them on outbuildings, or in any dark corner of your property that needs a little extra light.
Driveway alarm
Image: Amazon
Want to be the first to know when a friend, foe, or animal steps across your property line? The Amacros solar powered driveway alarm, a top pick in our guide to the best driveway alarms, is weatherproof and has a detection range of 30 feet.

