The holiday season is a time for celebration, family gatherings, and vacations. However, it also brings with it an increased risk of burglary and home break-ins. With more people traveling, leaving their homes unattended, and valuable gifts being present, burglars take advantage of the opportunity. Securing your home during the holiday seasons requires a proactive and comprehensive approach. In this article, we will explore a variety of strategies to ensure your home remains safe while you enjoy the festive period.
Understanding the Risks During the Holiday Season
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During the holiday season, several factors make homes more vulnerable to break-ins:
- Vacant Homes: Many people travel during the holidays, leaving their homes empty for extended periods. This provides an opportunity for criminals to break in without fear of being interrupted.
- Visible Gifts and Decorations: During the holidays, homes often display lights, gifts, and decorations. While this is a joyous occasion, it can also serve as a signal to burglars that valuables are inside the home.
- Increased Deliveries: Many people order gifts and products online during the holidays. This results in packages being left on doorsteps or porches, which can attract thieves.
- Darkness: Shorter days and long nights provide burglars with more cover to operate without being noticed. A lack of proper lighting can make it easier for criminals to approach and enter a home unnoticed.
Understanding these risks is the first step toward implementing effective security measures to protect your home.
Steps to Secure Your Home During the Holidays
1. Strengthen Your Doors and Windows
The first line of defense against burglars is a secure home entry. Doors and windows are common entry points for intruders, so it’s important to ensure they are adequately reinforced.
1.1 Reinforce Entry Doors
The most common entry point for burglars is the front door. If your door is made of wood or is hollow-core, consider upgrading to a solid wood or metal door. These are much harder to break through. Ensure the door has a high-quality deadbolt lock with a reinforced strike plate. A deadbolt provides more security than a spring-loaded latch because it’s harder to bypass. Additionally, the strike plate should be attached with long screws to secure the door frame.
1.2 Secure Sliding Glass Doors
Sliding glass doors are also common targets for burglars due to their ease of access. To secure these doors, install a security bar or a dowel in the track to prevent the door from being opened even if the lock is compromised. Additionally, consider upgrading to a more secure sliding door lock, or add a security film that makes the glass more difficult to break.
1.3 Lock and Reinforce Windows
Windows, especially on the ground floor, can be another vulnerable entry point. Be sure all windows are properly locked when you leave the house. If your windows have old or weak locks, upgrade them to more secure models. For added protection, you can install window bars, security screens, or use shatterproof security film to reinforce the glass.
2. Install a Home Security System
A well-installed and visible home security system is one of the best deterrents for burglars. The presence of cameras, alarms, and other monitoring devices lets potential criminals know that your home is being monitored.
2.1 Visible Cameras
A visible security camera system can discourage burglars from targeting your home. Place cameras near entry points, including the front door, back door, and garage. Even if the cameras aren’t actively monitored, their presence can be enough to make a criminal think twice.
2.2 Alarm Systems and Motion Sensors
Integrate an alarm system with motion detectors to monitor activity around your home. These systems can send alerts to your smartphone or notify a monitoring service when a security breach is detected. When choosing an alarm system, make sure it includes loud sirens that can be heard from the outside, as this will alert neighbors and deter intruders.
2.3 Smart Home Security Features
Consider using smart security systems that allow you to monitor your home remotely. Smart cameras and alarms allow you to check in on your property while you’re away, and some systems send alerts in real time. These advanced features can help you stay aware of any suspicious activity.
3. Use Outdoor Lighting Effectively
Proper lighting around your property is one of the simplest and most effective ways to deter criminals. A well-lit home is much less attractive to burglars who prefer to operate under the cover of darkness.
3.1 Install Motion-Sensing Lights
Motion-detecting lights are an excellent security measure. These lights turn on automatically when they detect movement, which can startle intruders and draw attention to suspicious activity. Install these lights around entry points like doorways, driveways, and pathways. They will illuminate dark corners and make it harder for criminals to approach your home unnoticed.
3.2 Use Timed Lights Indoors
If you’re away during the holidays, use timers to control the lights inside your house. By programming the lights to turn on and off at various intervals, you create the illusion that someone is home. Smart lights are even better, as they can be controlled remotely through an app, giving you full control over when and how lights are activated.
4. Secure Your Packages
Online shopping increases during the holiday season, and with it, so does the number of package deliveries left on doorsteps or porches. These packages can be an easy target for thieves, so it’s essential to take measures to protect them.
4.1 Schedule Deliveries for When You’re Home
Whenever possible, schedule deliveries for times when someone will be home to receive the package. If you cannot be home, consider having the package delivered to a nearby trusted neighbor, a secure delivery locker, or a local post office.
4.2 Use Package Monitoring Services
Some package delivery services offer monitoring or tracking features. In addition to receiving tracking notifications, consider using services like Amazon Key, which allows couriers to drop off packages inside your home or garage. Alternatively, many smart doorbells, like Ring, allow you to monitor deliveries in real-time and even communicate with delivery drivers.
4.3 Hide Packages Immediately
If you do receive packages while you are home, be sure to bring them inside promptly and out of sight from the street. Leaving packages on your porch or in plain view of passersby makes it obvious that you are a potential target for thieves.
5. Maintain Your Yard and Landscaping
A well-maintained yard not only makes your property look inviting, but it also eliminates potential hiding spots for burglars.
5.1 Trim Overgrown Bushes and Trees
Tall hedges or large trees near windows or doors can provide cover for burglars to approach your home unnoticed. Trim any overgrown bushes or trees around entry points to improve visibility. Make sure no shrubbery blocks the view of the street or other neighbors who might spot suspicious activity.
5.2 Maintain Visibility
Ensure that areas around your home are well-lit and easily visible to neighbors and passersby. The more your home can be seen from the street, the less likely burglars are to approach it. If you have a backyard with a fence, make sure it is not too high, and consider installing gates with locks.
6. Create the Illusion of Occupancy
If you plan to leave for an extended period during the holiday season, it is important to make your home appear occupied to deter burglars.
6.1 Ask Neighbors for Help
Arrange for trusted neighbors to keep an eye on your home while you’re away. Have them collect mail and newspapers, park in your driveway, or even occasionally move their cars in and out of your driveway to make it seem like someone is home. This can also help keep your mailbox from overflowing, which is a telltale sign of an unoccupied home.
6.2 Stop Mail and Newspaper Delivery
Consider putting a hold on your mail and newspaper subscriptions while you’re away. Uncollected mail and newspapers piled up at your doorstep are clear indicators to burglars that no one is home.
6.3 Leave a Light On
Leave a light on inside your home to create the illusion of activity. As mentioned earlier, using timers can help make it seem like someone is present, even if you are miles away. Another trick is to leave a radio or TV on inside your home at a low volume.
7. Be Mindful of Social Media
In the age of social media, it’s tempting to share your holiday plans, but doing so can make your home a target for burglars. Social media platforms often provide too much information that could tip off criminals about your absence.
7.1 Avoid Sharing Vacation Plans
Avoid posting real-time updates about your vacation, such as checking in at an airport or sharing photos of your trip while you’re away. Criminals actively search for clues on social media to determine when homes will be vacant. Wait until you return home to share vacation pictures or details.
7.2 Adjust Privacy Settings
If you must share information on social media, be sure to adjust your privacy settings so that only trusted individuals can view your posts. Keep your location settings disabled and avoid publicly posting travel details or the dates you’ll be gone.
Conclusion
Securing your home during the holiday season requires a combination of strategies, from reinforcing entry points to utilizing modern technology like security cameras and smart locks. It’s essential to be proactive and aware of the increased risks that come with this time of year, as the festivities often coincide with higher burglary rates. By taking the steps outlined above, you can reduce the chances of your home being targeted and ensure peace of mind while you enjoy the holiday season with your family and friends.
Remember, home security is not about creating a fortress but about making your home a less appealing target for criminals. A few simple precautions can go a long way in protecting your property and loved ones during the holidays. Stay vigilant, plan ahead, and enjoy a safe and happy holiday season!