Pragmatic home security. Layered defense, defensive landscaping, and honest reviews of the gear that actually works.https://makemyhomemyfortress.com/https://makemyhomemyfortress.com/blog/30-minute-home-security-audit/https://makemyhomemyfortress.com/blog/30-minute-home-security-audit/A pragmatic, walk-around home security audit you can finish before dinner. Strike plates, sightlines, lighting, locks — what to check, what to fix, what to ignore.Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTRandy Plaicehttps://makemyhomemyfortress.com/blog/best-outdoor-security-cameras-under-200/https://makemyhomemyfortress.com/blog/best-outdoor-security-cameras-under-200/An honest comparison of the four outdoor security cameras worth buying under $200: Wyze Cam v4, Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Eufy SoloCam S40, Reolink Argus 4 Pro. Subscriptions, resolution, FOV, and what they don't tell you in the box.Sun, 10 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTRandy Plaicehttps://makemyhomemyfortress.com/blog/door-reinforcement/https://makemyhomemyfortress.com/blog/door-reinforcement/The four door upgrades that turn an average exterior door into something that resists a kick: high-security strike plate, 3-inch screws, door wrap, secondary lock. Total cost under $150.Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTRandy Plaicehttps://makemyhomemyfortress.com/blog/garage-security-overlooked-door/https://makemyhomemyfortress.com/blog/garage-security-overlooked-door/The garage is one of the most common entry points in residential burglaries — and the least-hardened part of most homes. The five fixes that close the gap, in priority order.Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTRandy Plaicehttps://makemyhomemyfortress.com/blog/my-home-security-stack/https://makemyhomemyfortress.com/blog/my-home-security-stack/What I run at the house in Tarzana, in 2026. The cameras, locks, sensors, and plants that earned their spot — plus the gear that didn't.Sun, 17 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTRandy Plaicehttps://makemyhomemyfortress.com/blog/smart-locks-vs-deadbolts/https://makemyhomemyfortress.com/blog/smart-locks-vs-deadbolts/August Wi-Fi, Schlage Encode, Yale Assure, and the traditional deadbolt — compared on actual security, not features. The honest answer changes how most homeowners shop.Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTRandy Plaicehttps://makemyhomemyfortress.com/blog/tactical-foliage-101/https://makemyhomemyfortress.com/blog/tactical-foliage-101/Barberry, holly, hawthorn, pyracantha, climbing roses. The thorny plants worth installing under windows and along fences — and where to put them so they actually work.Sat, 09 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTRandy Plaicehttps://makemyhomemyfortress.com/blog/vacation-proofing-7-day-checklist/https://makemyhomemyfortress.com/blog/vacation-proofing-7-day-checklist/What to do in the seven days before a trip to make your house stop looking empty. Lighting, mail, deliveries, neighbors, automation — the practical pre-departure checklist.Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTRandy Plaicehttps://makemyhomemyfortress.com/blog/why-burglars-avoid-some-homes/https://makemyhomemyfortress.com/blog/why-burglars-avoid-some-homes/What convicted burglars say about how they pick targets, what stops them from picking yours, and the 12 factors — drawn from criminology research and offender interviews — that actually move the needle.Sat, 16 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTRandy Plaicehttps://makemyhomemyfortress.com/blog/window-security-film-locks/https://makemyhomemyfortress.com/blog/window-security-film-locks/Security film vs. impact glass, secondary window locks, and the layered approach that actually keeps a window from being a 30-second entry. The honest tradeoffs in 1,200 words.Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTRandy Plaice