11 Harbor Freight Finds That'll Help Increase Your Home Security

Achieving a satisfactory level of home security requires balance. It's no good hermetically sealing ourselves in and consigning 27 unique security codes to memory for every time we unlock the front door. Nor is it sensible to leave the house unlocked when we leave, with nothing standing between our homes and any opportunistic trespassers who happen to stroll by and notice our driveways devoid of cars. Fortunately, today there are lots of home security products and systems that can help to keep our homes, our belongings, and most importantly, ourselves and our families, safe.

This is especially true at Harbor Freight. Known and widely loved for its ever-evolving ranges of prosumer-grade tools and equipment, the shelves at Harbor Freight also have lots to offer those who want to bolster their home security. Trespasser alarm systems and motion detectors let you know that somebody's transgressed the boundaries set out by your garden fence; security lights expose trespassers trying to work in the cover of darkness; and fire-proof safes keep your documents and valuables protected should the worst happen.

In other words, Harbor Freight is more than a place to buy essential power tools on a budget. As you'll see in this guide, this popular chain also has plenty to help you keep your home safe. Whether you're planning a holiday and want to install some deterrents to any potential trespassers, or simply want to sleep a little easier at night, the below home security finds from Harbor Freight are sure to help you do it.

Ask most homeowners about the time of day they're most worried about when it comes to home security, and it's fair to say that most would say after dark. It's not that most home invasions take place in the hours of darkness (in fact, the majority actually take place between noon and 3 p.m.), it's just more that the thought of trespassers wandering around our properties under the cover of darkness inspires more anxiety than the thought of burglaries in the daytime. As one of Harbor Freight's top-rated security lights, Bunker Hill Security's 115 Lumen Wall-Mount Solar Security Light features bright LEDs and a reflective intensifier to produce bright light whenever the detector senses motion. Its "peel and stick" mounting helps to cut down on installation time, and its solar-powered operation ensures you don't have to worry about replacing batteries or hiring a contractor to wire it in.

While it's designed for security, users have nevertheless found a number of other useful applications for the light, which is perhaps why it's been rated 5 stars by over 1,630 users to-date. Yes, there are those who use them as intended, including one who said that "The coverage of this light is outstanding." But there are lots of others who've found the light useful in areas where they could use a little extra light, like along their pathways and in their sheds. "Great light," said one user. "So far I have 2 of these outside and they have been great and what a great price. I don't have a front porch light so this works great."

If you frequently spend your weekends out in the garden keeping on top of the weeds growing in your flower beds, then you might not even notice a home invasion taking place in broad daylight. Don't forget, as mentioned, most burglaries actually take place in the daytime. What's more, burglars tend to look for patterns, which can include piled up newspapers, empty driveways, and even a tendency for the doorbell to go unanswered at certain times of the day (like when you're out back in the garden). With this in mind, it could be useful to have a means of notification when somebody transgresses the boundaries of your property. That's what this Wireless Security Alert System from Bunker Hill Security is designed to do.

It features a motion-sensing transmitter and a receiver, which are designed to speak to one another over distances of up to 400 feet. The motion-sensor should pick up movement of people or vehicles up to 30 feet away, and you can carry the receiver with you wherever you are in the garden, provided that you remain within the operable range. "This is a great driveway alarm," said one user. "It lets me know when anything, and I mean anything, comes to or into my driveway. Really makes me feel more secure by having one."

Home security doesn't necessarily have to be expensive in order to be effective, and that certainly seems to be the ethos behind products like Bunker Hill Security's Outdoor Imitation Security Camera. Yes, it's a decoy, and anybody who has seen lesser imitations in situ will know that such products can often be spotted a mile off. However, Bunker Hill Security have fitted this device with a couple of important features that may help to waylay any suspicions against its authenticity. For example, it has a coaxial cable, which makes it appear "wired in" to your home. It also features a flashing red LED, giving would-be intruders the idea that the camera is on and recording.

More than 195 have rated the product to-date, and of those, most appear pleased. 93% gave it at least 4 stars (including 72% who gave it full marks), lending to its overall 4.6 star rating. As for why, most agreed that it looks like other top-rated security cameras, but that it comes without the price tag (it currently costs less than $10). "Great looking and useful," said one user. "I think this will deter anyone from doing things since it looks like a real camera." Another, who titled their review "It fools everyone!," said, "I have had delivery people ask if they were being video taped. 'Hell yes!' I tell them!"

As well as shoring up your hinges, bolstering your latches, and ensuring your lock is up to modern standards, one of the best ways to improve front door security is to install a camera above it. That doesn't mean that you have to spend lots of money. The trick to creating a successful deterrent is to make it look real. This Imitation Dome Security Camera with LED features an upside-down dome design that's designed to replicate the security cameras used in businesses and banks. The shape lends itself well to attaching to the roof of your porch, and like other imitation cameras by Bunker Hill Security, it has a working red LED which gives intruders the impression that it's both on and recording.

Most users who've reviewed the product seem to love it, in fact out of over 150 reviews to-date, 79% gave it 5 stars, and a further 14% gave it 4 stars. Most agree that it looks like the genuine article and that it's likely to work as a great deterrent. "Sometimes just the idea of being watched is enough to thwart would-be no-goodniks," said one user. "So if you have some dummy cameras spread around with the real ones, you greatly increase the area of effect. These dummy cameras look just like the real ones. They are easy to install and make the baddies think twice."

If visual deterrents don't work, then the equivalent of a lawnmower suddenly sounding in an intruder's ear is likely to make them think twice about progressing any further onto your property. That's the idea behind Bunker Hill Security's Vibration Alarms. They come in packs of two, are made to be mounted on the frames of doors and windows, and, per Bunker Hill Security's description, detect shocks and sudden impacts — like those of somebody trying to break their way inside. They're easy to mount with nothing more than double-sided tape, and should emit 90 decibels of sound within 2 seconds of detecting an intrusion.

Customers have praised these alarms for a number of reasons. Most agreed that the price is hard to argue with (they currently cost less than $8 for a set of two); there are several who said how long the alarms last, including one who noted it lasted 12 years. The alarms are also praised for the level of sound that they emit. "This little device packs a loud siren sound," said one user. "It startled me how loud it was."

Choosing the best home security system is different for everybody. It depends on where you live, the items in and around your home that you need to protect, and the degree to which you want to protect them. It also depends on how much you can afford to invest in home security — not just in terms of money, but in terms of time, especially if you intend to install your system yourself. This Door/Window Entry Alarm from Bunker Hill Security is designed to be DIY friendly, apparently requiring zero tools in order to install it. It has two sound settings — "alarm" and "chime" — allowing you to set it depending on how you need to use it. Set it to "alarm" when you're out to scare intruders away, and when you're in, set it to "chime" so you can hear when somebody enters (and ensure that they know you've heard them).

This alarm lies at the more affordable end of the home-security spectrum, and reading through the 5-star reviews (which make up the majority), the price is certainly a key factor for its overall 4.6-star rating. So, too, is the fact that the product simply works. One user, who installed these alarms around the house to keep their dog out of certain off-limits areas, said that they, "Work as intended." Another user, who titled their review "Great for Home Safety," wrote, "I've had it for a couple weeks now and it has worked awesome. Set it off by accident a couple of times, it will definitely throw off an intruder."

If the climate in your area is sunny for most of the year, then sun-powered security lights will likely seem like a sensible option. But if you don't, then one of the downsides to solar lights around your house is that they're not always the most reliable. Instead, you may want to consider something that's hardwired into your main electricity. Sure, it's more effort to install them, but at least you know they'll never run out of power. This 2,150 Lumen Dual Head Hardwired LED Security Light from Bunker Hill Security is fitted with three bright white LEDs and a motion detector that's designed to detect movement on an arc of up to 240 degrees. You can adjust the delay time — how long it takes for the light to turn off. It's also meant to be easy to install, although, since it requires electrical work, it's one of those jobs that it might be safer to leave to a professional.

Regardless of how you install it, you can rest reasonably assured that your money will be well spent. That's because out of over 1,110 who've reviewed the security light to date, 68% have given it 5 stars, while a further 13% have it 4 stars. Most agree that the price (currently less than $45) is hard to resist, especially given the quality of the unit. "This security light is a top shelf light," said one user. "It makes my deck and back yard look like it's noon on a sunny day. Easy to install and works exactly as described."

It doesn't matter how robust your network of motion detectors, alarms, floodlights, and cameras (real or otherwise) is, if an intruder is determined to get inside your house, then it can pay to have a secondary means of protecting the things most important to you. For documents, jewellery, and other valuables, a safe is a sensible choice — especially if you regularly spend time away from the house and don't want to carry those items around with you. There are various important things you could keep in a safe; the key is to find one that you can rely upon to keep your belongings safe. So far, the majority of those who've bought it have said that First Alert's 0.94 cu. Ft. Waterproof and Fire-Resistant Safe is up to the task.

Per the name, it's built to withstand fire and flood, and can resist temperatures up to 1700 degrees Fahrenheit for up to an hour. Its pry-resistant hinges and four door bolts make it difficult for intruders trying to pry their way inside, and even if it's stored in a basement that ends up being flooded, it's made with a waterproof seal to keep the contents inside dry, even when fully submerged. "Great price for a fireproof safe," said one user, who added, "It's heavy too, so you know it's secure." Another, who said that it's a great product and who agreed that it's heavy, said, "No one is going to put it under their arm and walk away."

The 1000 Lumen Solar-Powered, Motion-Activated, Peel-and-Stick, Waterproof Security Light from Bunker Hill Security offers a convenient way to make your home safer without the need for electronics. It doesn't need wiring into your mains (since it's solar powered), and you don't need tools to mount it — just a flat surface for the peel-and-stick backing to adhere to. You'll also need a reliable amount of sunshine to keep it suitably powered. Give it those things, though, and according to most who've reviewed it, you can expect a surprisingly bright security light in return.

You could use it to light up your garden or driveway, to deter anybody who comes creeping onto your property after dark. Alternatively, you could use it (and its in-built motion sensor) to light up your walkways when you need them after sundown. One reviewer even uses it to keep predators away from their chickens. "Awesome lights!" said another. "I put these all around the outside of my house and they work awesome! As soon as anyone or anything crosses by these lights they turn on. And they are very bright which makes it safe from the wrong kind of people getting close to your house."

If you have a plant pot next to your house, where do you think your burglar is likely to look first when trying to gain access to your house? This Portable Lock Box from Bunker Hill Security is designed to make your spare key accessible only to those who know the code — which should help you narrow down the list of suspects in the event of a break-less entry burglary. It can hold up to five keys, and features a four-digit code combination dial, which is protected from corrosion with a sliding cover.

Whether you're leaving keys out for your kids to get inside after school or for your neighbors to feed the cat when you're away, or as one 5-star buyer explained, to sell a house without a realtor from a state away, feedback suggests that you're unlikely to regret the purchase. The majority of users (82%) have awarded the lock box 5 stars, including several users who work (and use their lock box) in the real estate industry. As one said, "I am a realtor and use lock boxes on a daily basis, and this box is so much better than the $36 box at Home depot. Simple to open and seems very secure."

Home security is important, but that doesn't mean that you can't try to have a little fun with it. Whether you have something that you genuinely hope never gets found, or want to infuse your home with a little "Murder, She Wrote" security, this Large Steel Book Safe from Union Safe Company is designed for hiding valuables in plain sight. Its durable cloth wrapping, per the description, makes it look and feel like a real book, helping you hide it in plain sight on your living room or office book shelf.

This might all sound like a bit of a gimmick, but there are plenty of buyers who are delighted with this product. Some simply agree with the product script in that it does, after all, look like a real book, and others compliment how discretely it enables them to store valuables. As one user summed it up, the safe, "Looks like a real book, mixes with other books on a shelf and is a good way to conceal some valuables in plain sight."