Winter is a season full of turkey dinners, family visits and Christmas shopping. During the holiday months, thousands of people will be going on vacations to visit friends and family. However, the holiday season is often an opportunity for burglars to take advantage of homes that have been left unguarded while their residents are on vacation. To ensure that you are able to enjoy your holiday festivities, it’s important if you take precautions that your home will be protected. Here is a simple checklist that you can use to ensure that your home is at a lower risk for a fire, break-in or other catastrophic event.
1. Did You Set Your Light Timers?
Since many burglars take advantage of homes that appear to be deserted, it’s highly recommended that you set your interior lights on light timers. These timers are relatively inexpensive, and are available at most department stores.
2. Are Your Security Lights Active?
Having motion-sensing security lights can be a great way to deter burglars from entering your home. Be sure to install your security lights around all entry points into your home.
3. Is Your Security System Armed?
Before you leave on vacation, don’t forget to arm your security system! Some home security companies will offer a feature that allows you to view 24/7 surveillance of your home, either by phone or over the computer. With this tool, you will be able to relax and enjoy your vacation.
4. Did You Disconnect Your Telephone?
A constantly ringing telephone inside your home can be a signal to burglars that your home is unoccupied. It’s highly recommended that you turn off the ringer for your phones while you are on vacation, or disconnect the phones entirely. Don’t forget – Never leave a voicemail message indicating that you are away on vacation!
5. Did You Hide Your Spare Keys?
If you choose to hide your spare key while on vacation, try to avoid hiding it in an area where burglars will know to look. It’s not recommended for you to hide your spare key under your doormat, in your mailbox, over your door frame, or in nearby flowerpots. Instead, try leaving your spare key with a trusted neighbor, friend or family member.
6. Did You Lock All Doors and Windows?
While this may seem like common sense, it’s always good to double-check if your doors and windows are locked before leaving your home. Right before you leave, do a last-minute check of all of your doors and windows, testing them to ensure that they are securely closed.
7. Is Your Garage Secure?
A substantial number of home burglaries are performed from a garage entry point. This is because many people fail to realize how vulnerable their garage is to burglars. If you don’t have a sturdy garage door, be sure to install bright security lights around all areas of your garage. In addition to this, it’s important not to neglect monitoring of your garage when installing a home security system.
8. Did You Suspend Newspaper Deliveries?
A pile of delivered newspapers outside your home can be a telltale sign to burglars that you are not at home. Most newspaper companies will be able to suspend deliveries upon request, as long as you give them advance notice.
9. Did You Hide Your Valuables?
While on vacation, having your valuables securely hidden can help you to rest assured that they are safe from burglars. It’s best if you have a hidden wall safe, where you can store all of your valuable items and documents securely. However, if you do not have a wall safe, you can always hide your valuables in shoeboxes on top of closets, in cabinets, behind canned food, and in other places that a burglar may not think to look. If you have any firearms in your home, be sure that they are in a secure location.
10. Are Your Curtains and Blinds Closed?
If you keep your curtains and blinds closed, there is a higher likelihood that a burglar will not be able to easily tell that you are not at home. In addition to this, it prevents a prospective crook from being able to survey your home for any objects of value.
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