Are mobile homes safe?

Today’s manufactured homes are much safer and sturdier than back in the day when they had a poor reputation. For example, with HUD standards and regulations in 1976, mobile homes became as safe as site-built houses.

Between these high construction standards and modern advancements, mobile homes are safer than ever before. And mobile homes get built with 20-30% more materials than site-built houses to help withstand extreme weather and transport, making them resilient and strong structures.

Their sightline design and the professional management of mobile home communities make mobile home living a safe and secure lifestyle for many people.

While manufactured homes are safe and secure, there are some additional steps you can take to help keep your home, family, and possessions safe.

Related: Mobile Homes: Pros and Cons

1. Check Your Windows and Frames.

Windows and frames can warp over time from water exposure or heat, weakening them. It’s crucial to check the windows and doors of your mobile home often and ensure they fit snugly into their frames. You also want to keep an eye on the frames themselves to ensure no cracks or gaps. Any weaknesses in these areas can have numerous adverse effects, like allowing moisture into the home, raising your heating cooling bill, and making it easier for someone to break into your mobile home. Check them regularly!

2. Secure Your Doors and Windows.

A great way to help keep your mobile home secure is by putting wooden dowel rods in your windows and sliding doors (this tip also works for site-built homes, too!). It’s cheap, easy, and only takes a minute to put the dowels on the inside of your doors and windows to help keep anyone from being able to open them from the outside, even if you forget to lock them. You should use dowels that are almost as long as the window or door and are just short enough to fit inside without allowing them to open.

3. Examine Your Exterior Doors.

Some manufactured homes come with hollow exterior doors, and if yours has one, you might want to consider installing a quality, solid one. Hollow doors break easier and are more prone to damage from the elements. Upgrading your door is a relatively inexpensive way to improve your mobile home’s safety and security!

4. Add Deadbolt Locks.

It’s always good to install deadbolt locks on exterior doors, even if you’re already taking other precautions. Many pre-owned mobile homes will have these installed, but it’s worth the small investment to add them if yours doesn’t. Specialized window locks are also an option if you want to secure your mobile home further!

5. Invest In a Safe.

Fireproof, lockable safes are a must for any homeowner—whether stick-built or manufactured. They help keep your valuables safe not only from potential thieves and burglars but from natural disasters as well. In the event of severe storms or fires, you want to know that your most important possessions stay safe. Having a safe can also deter thieves since many robberies are crimes of opportunity, and breaking into a locked safe isn’t a skill most people have.

Related: Guide to Living in a Mobile Home

6. Use Light Timers.

Light timers are another useful tool for any homeowner to help keep their property safe while they’re not home. You can use them to program different lights in your mobile home to come on at specific times during the day to make it seem like you’re home even when you’re not. The best strategy is to set them to mimic your usual behaviors; however, setting them up too predictably can have the opposite effect and show potential burglars that it’s a ruse.

7. Install Motion Lights.

Motion-sensor lights outside of your home are one of the best tools for mobile homeowners to help keep their house safe from harm. How they work is simple—when movement happens near your mobile home, the lights go on, typically scaring off anyone who shouldn’t be there. They’re simply another precaution you can take to up the safety of your home, possessions, and family.

8. Purchase an Alarm System.

Alarm systems help create a safe home, and they also can save you money on insurance and raise the value of your mobile home! The options are endless—from full-blown alarm systems to doorbell cameras and window sensors, there are alarm systems available for every need and budget to secure your mobile home.

9. Install Video Cameras.

For mobile homeowners who are serious about their home security and want to document any activity on their property, a video surveillance camera can give them peace of mind. You can get ones that record 24/7, ones that record on a timer, or cameras that connect with motion sensors. Security cameras not only deter potential thieves, but they also give you proof in the case that something does happen to settle the issue easily.

10. Consider a Community.

Mobile home parks and communities actually offer some of the best safety and security for homeowners. They have a close-knit nature and often foster relationships between mobile homeowners, turning neighbors into friends and guardians. Safety concerns are much less of a problem in these communities. It’s easy to detect any suspicious activity and even harder for someone to get away with criminal acts. 

Many mobile home communities also have organized Neighborhood Watch programs or employ security guards to help keep the park safe. These communities are also designed with attention to sightlines, meaning that neighbors can see the nearby homes. This physical layout helps reduce the likelihood of safety issues dramatically for people in the park. And communities that have professional management strictly enforce rules and can handle any problematic neighbors instantly.

Keep Your Mobile Home Safe and Secure

We know that nothing is more important than the feeling of safety and security in your mobile home, and you need to know that your home, possessions, and family are safe.

When buying a mobile home, ensure that it’s set up for safety with high-quality doors, windows, and construction that adhere to the HUD code standards. Then, you can consider these ten tips to increase the safety and security of your mobile home.

Considering a mobile home? At Home Nation, all of our homes are safe, secure, and built to HUD standards. Disregard the mobile home myths—They are as safe as any other house.

Related: Mobile Home Myths