Remember the movie Home Alone? It’s a favorite family film usually enjoyed during the holiday seasons, and it’s not surprising because it’s pretty hilarious.
However, the premise of the film is quite an eye-opener. With the McCallister family ready to go on a holiday trip out of the country, the Wet Bandits are casing their home, planning to rob the family’s place once they’re away. And if it weren’t for Kevin’s wit, the con men would have been successful with their plan.
With the holidays just around the corner, many would have out-of-town plans to visit friends or family or have a great time in a popular holiday resort. The question is: how secure is your home while you’re away? If you’re uncertain, here are some home security tips to remember:
Is Anybody Home?
Robbery is a crime of opportunity, and these unscrupulous characters often choose a property if it looks like nobody is home. More often than not, burglars would case a neighborhood first before they strike. Some signs robbers look for in a home to break into include a mailbox full of letters and parcels and porches with no lights turned on, even at night.
That said, the best way to make your home less enticing for robbers is to make it seem like someone is home. You can ask the post office to hold your mail until you get home, or you can ask someone you trust (a close friend or a neighbor) to go to your house each day to pick up your mail.
You can also invest in an automatic porch light with a timer that you can pre-set to turn on and off at specific times. Another great option that deters intruders from entering a property would be outdoor lighting with a motion sensor, which turns on when it detects movement in its vicinity.
Lastly, another worthwhile home security tip is to make sure you stash away your outdoor furniture in your garage or shed, including your grill, fire pit accessories, bicycles, etc., as these will be easy pickings for robbers.
Take Out the Trash, Please!
According to Stanford University, Americans produce 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. And with the rise in online shopping, more and more boxes, packing peanuts, and holiday supplies will find their way to your trash.
Pests are not the only things your trash attracts; it also tempts burglars. They’ll see the box your new TV came in as a sign that they shouldn’t pass up on your home.
Don’t leave boxes out on the curb. Fold and put them into trash bags. Better yet, take them to a cardboard recycling facility before you leave. If you’re friendly with your neighbors, ask one of them if they can place some of their trash in front of your house on pick-up day if you’re not home. That’s because burglars can also tell if someone is home or out for the holidays if there’s no garbage to pick up.
Secure Your Windows
Windows are the easiest way for burglars to get in and out of your house. They are also one of your home’s weakest points, security-wise. After all, home intruders breaking or prying windows open isn’t unheard of.
So ensure they lock properly, and if they’re not tightly secured, you should get them fixed before leaving. Also, avoid placing valuables near windows, as these may seem like an open invitation for robbers to choose your home. Instead, store your valuables in enclosed safes or a safety deposit box.
Have Your Key Safe Ready
Gone are the days when you could hide your spare keys under the doormat without worrying. Key safes are an excellent way to store and secure keys and other small items like fob cards. Most of them are easily accessible through a four-digit code, allowing trusted friends or neighbors entry into your property.
The Home Security System Is Your Friend
A home security system is the best way to deter burglars; many experts see this as one of the best holiday home safety tips. You have many options, and you can choose one based on your budget or the level of control you want.
You can also install wireless entry and motion detectors around your windows and doors and a loud alarm that alerts you and your security provider in case of a breach.
If you’re lucky enough to have third-party surveillance with your security system, let them know that you’ll be out of town. This might help them respond quickly to any disturbance they detect if they know you’re not at home.
Avoid DIY home security systems. Burglars may target home security systems like this because they are unreliable and easier to interfere with. Lastly, temporarily disable any unique access codes you don’t need while away.
Be Smart
Smart locks and other smart security devices are one of the best ways to keep an eye on your property, even when you’re thousands of miles away. These amazing holiday security devices can easily be linked to your mobile phones, allowing you to monitor and control your home’s locks while away. Smart locks and security devices can also remotely alert you via your smartphone if someone attempts to break into your home, allowing you to react and call the police or a friend to check your home.
Heavy-duty Is Key
Securing all your main entrance points, like doors, is your first defense against unwanted visitors. Make sure all your doors and windows have working locks, and consider installing quality heavy-duty deadbolts and double locks to prevent burglars from forcing your doors open.
The Bottom Line
The holidays are one of the few times you leave your home; protect your home while on vacation with some holiday home safety tips. Make sure your home looks occupied, install home security systems, and have indoor and outdoor lights that turn on and off while you’re away. Make sure to use heavy-duty locks and deadbolts on your doors, and secure your windows to keep the cold and burglars out of your home. Consider installing smart locks, smart home security devices, and a key safe where trusted friends or neighbors can access your keys.
Keep your home safe during the holidays with the help of Alexius Denver’s Locksmiths.
Never take your home’s holiday security for granted. Have expert locksmiths in Denver install top-of-the-line locks for your home that stand the test of time and harsh weather. Our locksmiths will install them properly in no time. We can also service them if needed. Contact us today and get the peace of mind you need for the holidays.
