Walk the perimeter and list weak points
Security works from the outside in: boundary and outbuildings, then doors and windows, then the safe room. Find the easy ways in first.
How
- Walk round the house in daylight and after dark. Note doors, accessible windows, sheds, dark approaches and anything left out.
- Ladders and tools can be used to break in. ProtectUK advises locking them away or fixing them securely.
- Check each door and window against secure-26, then fix the worst gaps first.
- The examples in this phase are from UK police guidance (ProtectUK). Check your national security standards and local police advice. See also safety-20.
Sources
- Security in the home. ProtectUK (UK Counter Terrorism Policing), accessed 2026-11