Keeping Your Home Safe For the Holidays (and the rest of the year)

'Tis the season to protect your home from those Scrooges known as burglars. According to HomeSecurity.us, "Most homes are extremely vulnerable to burglaries during the December holidays. The reason for this is simple – families may be traveling or away for long periods of time and homes are usually filled with high value items. However, this in no way means that robberies and burglaries do not happen during other months. According to data from the FBI, insurance companies, and burglar alarm companies, burglars are active pretty much throughout the year...

...Since holidays and vacations are boom time for burglars, it is important that homeowners take preventive steps to protect their house and belongings. Simple steps such as informing close friends or a trusted neighbor and having them keep an eye on the house, notifying the local police about your absence, canceling the newspaper and having an automatic timer for the lights may prove to be deterrents for burglars on the prowl. In addition, one can ask someone to mow the lawn and pick up the mail as well to avoid giving the impression of an empty house."

Check out their whole list of "Tips To Keep Your Home From Being Burglarized".


And here are 10 Quick Security Tips from The Burglary Prevention Council (BPC), "a national organization dedicated to the prevention of residential burglaries":


1.  Keep all doors and windows closed and securely fastened. An open window or door is an open invitation for burglars. Thieves are also quick to spot weak locks that may be easily forced open. Doors should have deadbolt locks with a one inch throw and reinforced strike plate with three inch screws. All windows should have window locks.

2.  Secure sliding glass doors. Place a metal rod or piece of plywood in the track and install vertical bolts. These will help prevent burglars from forcing the door open or lifting it off the track.

3.  Always lock the door to an attached garage. Don't rely on your automatic garage door opener for security.

4.  Create the illusion that you are home. by using timers on lights, radios and TV's. Making your residence appear occupied, even when no one is home, will deter criminals.

5.  Keep the perimeter of your home well lighted. Installing low voltage outdoor lighting is a cost-effective way to discourage intruders, as well as highlight a house.

6.  Never leave clues that you are away on a trip. Have a trusted neighbor collect mail and newspapers while you are away so delivered items do not accumulate. You can also ask a neighbor to park in your driveway or parking place to make it appear that you are present.

7.  Keep some shades and blinds up and curtains open to maintain a normal, everyday appearance in your residence.

8.  Never leave a message on your telephone answering machine telling people that you are away from home. A message that you will return at a certain time leaves your home vulnerable in the interim.

9.  Keep shrubbery trimmed away from entrances and walkways. While large, ornate hedges may be beautiful, they also provide a hiding place for burglars who need only a minute to break in through a window or door.

10.  Organize a community watch program to protect your neighborhood. An alert community is a safe community.