Burglary can occur at any time and everywhere, but the number of flights seems to always increase during the holidays. Whether you intend to be away for a long stay, or just for an evening with your family, here are some safety tips to ensure you do not fall victim to a home invasion this holiday season .
1. Secure your valuables
If you leave a car parked on the street or driveway while you are away, make sure you remove all valuables from view. This includes all clothing, electronics, bags, etc. Even if you leave your car in the garage, you should also be sure to remove all valuables to ensure they remain safe if someone breaks into your garage. It's also wise to place all important documents and jewelry in a safe inside your home safe or a secure hidden location.
2. Do not post your travel plans online
Yes, you are excited about your vacation plans and want to share them with friends, but it could be an invitation thieves. This is especially true if you do not have strict privacy settings on your accounts because it means that you can share with people you do not know. That is why it is important to always be aware every time you publish the plans and location of your trip online. Learn more about this and other ways to protect your privacy on social media here.
3. Have a family member, friend or neighbor Check In
Tell someone you trust - like a family member, neighbor or friend - you're gone, so that they can be on alert for any suspicious activity. Give them a spare key so they can go home every day to make sure everything is OK and make any mail or packages inside. Mail piling is a dead give away to thieves that no one is at home.
4. Hold Mail and deliveries
If you can not have someone stop by trust your house to check the mail every day, call the post office and request a hold on your mail until you are back at home. You should also consider holding regular deliveries or service subscription you receive at home, such as newspapers and magazines.
5. Make it look like someone is always home
Keep all blinds and curtains closed when you are not home. Have your lights on a timer or solar switch when you are away, to make it appear as if someone is always there. This could help to ward off any potential invaders.
6. Lock all doors and windows
This is a given, but there are some things to keep in mind. Make sure all your doors and windows have working locks, and remember to remove all the spare key to your house or sitting keys in the locks throughout your home. This is important because someone could come into your house, steal the keys without knowing you, then use to access your home in the future. In addition, it is also important to remember not to run extension cords through windows for your Christmas lights outdoors. This prevents the window from closing properly, and burglars will see this as an easy entry point.
7. Install a Home Security System
Whether you are at home or outside, a home security system can give you peace mind knowing that your home and valuables are secure. Not sure which system is best for you? There are a number of best home security options that also offer special benefits to new customers. For example, before Point Security currently offers a 30 day trial without risk with a 100% guarantee, and ADT offers a free consultation and has a limited time offer that allows you to get a system Free safety with the purchase of an alarm monitoring service and customer setup charge $ 99. Visit our home security system reviews to see which service best meets your security needs.