If you live in Savannah and want to feel safer at home without overcomplicating things, you’re in the right place. This article from Savannah Handyman walks you through practical, handyman-friendly home security tips that are easy to implement—some you can do yourself, others are worth calling a pro for. You’ll get clear fixes, seasonal notes, and honest advice that doesn’t sound like a sales pitch. Ready? Good. Let’s get sensible about keeping your home cozy and secure.
Contents
- 1 Why this matters to Savannah homeowners (and yes, it’s different here)
- 2 Strengthen entry points—locks, doors, and frames that actually do the job
- 3 Lighting: hard to overstate how big a difference it makes
- 4 Cameras and alarms—use them, but don’t rely on them alone
- 5 Garage and outbuildings—often overlooked weak points
- 6 Yard and landscaping—make your property less attractive to trouble
- 7 Smart devices and timers—simulate occupancy without being hooked to a cloud
- 8 Maintenance and small repairs that keep you secure
- 9 Habits and human elements—you’re the final line of defense
- 10 A note on costs, seasons, and what’s worth doing now
- 11 Ready to have someone handle it (or want a quick DIY list)?
Why this matters to Savannah homeowners (and yes, it’s different here)
Coastal weather, historic neighborhoods, and a busy tourist season—Savannah isn’t like suburban strip-mall everywhere else. That means your security needs are a little unique: humidity affects electronics, live oaks and Spanish moss create dark pockets at night, and older doors and windows can have charming quirks that aren’t so charming when it comes to safety.
Here’s the thing: you don’t need a vault. You need smart, practical updates that reduce risk and give you peace of mind. Those updates often fall into the sweet spot of a local handyman—affordable, fast, and tailored to your home.
Strengthen entry points—locks, doors, and frames that actually do the job
People think fancy cameras are the first line of defense, but honestly, a solid door and a good lock stop a lot of trouble before technology even has to step in.
Upgrade locks. Replace old cylinder locks with a Grade 1 or Grade 2 deadbolt. Brands like Schlage and Kwikset are common and reliable. If a lock looks loose, fix the strike plate with 3-inch screws so the screws go into the stud—not just the jamb.
Reinforce doors and frames. Older wood frames in historic homes can split under force. Reinforcing plates and door jamb kits are cheap and effective. And if your door has gaps or rotten wood—don’t wait. Patch it or replace it; you’ll thank yourself later.
Window security. Add simple sash locks, window pins, or even dowels in sliding tracks. For older single-pane units that rattle, weatherstripping helps with both comfort and security.
Lighting: hard to overstate how big a difference it makes
Dark corners are invitations. If you walk past your yard at night and think, “I wouldn’t want to go down there,” then it’s exactly the kind of spot you need to illuminate.
Motion lighting. Motion-sensor floodlights near entries and dark pathways are cost-effective. Brands like Ring and Philips make units that are easy to mount and compatible with smart systems, but non-smart models are fine too—less chance of an app glitch ruining the whole system.
Layered lighting. Mix porch lights, pathway lights, and a soft light by the backdoor. That gentle glow does more than bright spots; it reduces shadows and makes the area feel lived-in.
Cameras and alarms—use them, but don’t rely on them alone
Security cameras are great for evidence and deterrence, but they don’t bolt your door for you. Combined with physical measures, though, they’re powerful.
Placement matters. Mount cameras high enough to avoid tampering and angle them to capture faces and license plates—not just driveways. Keep lanes of sight clear—trim those live oaks and bushes.
Subscription choices. Cloud storage is convenient but comes with monthly fees. Local storage (SD cards or a network DVR) is cheaper over time but more hands-on. Pick what suits your comfort level.
Garage and outbuildings—often overlooked weak points
Garages are an open invitation if left unsecured. They often have direct home access, and people forget this because it’s where they stash tools and beach chairs.
Secure the door between garage and house. A heavy solid core door with a deadbolt is worth it. Consider a smart keypad for occasional service workers; it’s better than leaving a spare under the mat.
Garage door vulnerabilities. Disable the manual release when you’re away for long trips and secure the opener’s external keypad. You can also add a simple C-clamp to the track near the roller as a physical stop—old-school and effective.
Yard and landscaping—make your property less attractive to trouble
Good landscaping works as a security layer: low shrubs by windows, thorny plants under vulnerable spots, and trimmed trees that don’t give someone cover.
Trim back hiding spots. Shrubbery that reaches head height beside a window? Trim it. That way passersby and cameras can actually see what’s happening.
Fence and gate basics. A solid gate with a robust latch is more than a suggestion; it’s an added delay that thieves often avoid. Delay is deterrence—give someone a minute more and they’ll often leave.
Smart devices and timers—simulate occupancy without being hooked to a cloud
Timers for lights, blinds, radios—these simple tricks make a house look lived-in when you’re away. You know what? It’s old-school, and it still works.
Smart bulbs and plugs. Philips Hue and TP-Link Kasa work well. Use scenes and schedules rather than relying solely on motion triggers. If you want privacy, pick local-control devices that don’t send everything to a third-party server.
Maintenance and small repairs that keep you secure
A loose hinge, peeling weatherstripping, or a sagging fence post—these small things whisper “easy pick” to someone looking for gaps. Fix them.
| Problem | Quick fix | When to call Savannah Handyman |
|---|---|---|
| Loose door jamb | Install longer screws and jamb plate | If the frame is rotten or shifting |
| Worn-out deadbolt | Replace cylinder and strike plate | If lock alignment is off or door sticks |
| Overgrown yard | Trim back to 3–4 feet from house | Large trees, heavy pruning, or stump removal |
Habits and human elements—you’re the final line of defense
Even the best hardware fails if habits are sloppy. Lock the doors, close the garage, don’t leave ladders against the house. Those everyday choices matter.
Ask yourself: would you let a stranger wander in? Of course not. Treat your home the same way—confirm deliveries, check identities, and when in doubt call out for clarification. It’s simple and oddly empowering.
A note on costs, seasons, and what’s worth doing now
Some fixes are low-cost and high-impact: reinforcing strike plates, installing motion lights, changing to a deadbolt. Others—full door replacements or whole-home camera systems—are pricier but can be phased in over seasons. Summer is a good time for exterior work in Savannah; humidity and storms can complicate winter installs.
It’s slightly contradictory: do the cheap things first, but sometimes the expensive thing saves you more later. Here’s how to prioritize—start with entry points and lighting, then move to cameras and landscaping. That order gives immediate gains.
Ready to have someone handle it (or want a quick DIY list)?
If you want a simple checklist to tackle yourself, or prefer a professional who knows Savannah homes, we can help. Savannah Handyman specializes in combining small carpentry, locksmith tweaks, and smart-home installs so everything works together—not like a pile of parts that don’t talk to each other.
Call us at 912-600-3283 or Request a Free Quote and we’ll come by, assess your home, and give clear options. No pressure—just practical, dependable fixes from a local team that understands the quirks of Savannah living.
