Burglars break into more than half-million homes every year. The most common tactic is kicking in the door. Consumer Reports just tested 19 dead-bolt locks and can tell you which ones will protect you ...

A key that sticks a little more each week. A handle that jiggles when it didn't used to. Easy to shrug off. The classic "I'll get to it eventually" problem that never quite makes it to eventually.

Amanda Blum is a freelancer who writes about smart home technology, gardening, and food preservation. Previously, Amanda has worked as a technology strategist specializing in problem solving and ...