Break-Ins Spike During the Holidays
According to the FBI, there are some 400,000 burglaries over the holiday season. To avoid becoming a statistic:
1. Remove temptation.
When you place gifts under the tree, make sure that they are not visible from the outside of your home. All those presents are a beacon to would-be burglars looking to score easy electronics and other items.
On a related note, if you’ve just purchased a new xBox, tablet, TV, or other pricey gift, make sure that you don’t leave the boxes on the curb for trash pickup. Again, this shines a spotlight on your home as a good target for burglars.
2. Add strategic lighting.
Thieves want the protection that darkness offers — and with the shorter days and longer nights, they have ample opportunity to enter homes unnoticed. Motion activated lights or flood lights throw a wrench in their plans and help keep your property and family protected.
3. Put your lights on a timer.
Whether you’re away for the evening or taking off to visit friends and family over the holidays, an unlit house all but rolls out the welcome mat for thieves. Make sure your exterior lights and a few interior lights are on a timer so your home appears occupied.
4. Be careful about social media posts.
“Just scored the last [insert name of latest, greatest, hottest holiday toy] in town!” “Can’t wait to go to Hawaii for the holidays!” We don’t blame you for being excited! But your friends aren’t the only ones following you; potential burglars use this information to plan their own holiday “shopping.”
We have written about social media and home safety here. As our lives and devices are more connected than ever, it is vital to pay close attention to what you communicate to the world about your holiday plans:
- Don’t post about your travel plans, especially regarding how far away from home you are and how long you’ll be away.
- Disable location services on your phone while you’re traveling.
- Don’t allow social media apps to tag your location when you’re away.
- You don’t need to check-in at various locations along the way.
- Consider taking a holiday break from social media.
- Wait until you have returned to post about your holiday travel.
5. Secure your valuables.
If burglars are lured in by gifts, there’s nothing to stop them from looking for other items to steal. Stow cash, jewelry, and other valuables in a lockbox or safe and keep it out of sight.
6. Be cautious with door to door solicitors.
Charitable donations also spike during the holiday season as people seek to give back to their communities. Unfortunately, scammers take advantage of this. If you get a knock on your door from someone looking for a donation, politely decline.
There is no way to know if they actually work for the charity or what they will do with your money. You can always give online to a legitimate charity. Some scammers may also ask you to fill out a survey. What they’re really looking for is information on when you’re going to be away from home.
7. Install or upgrade your home security system.
Give yourself the best holiday present: peace of mind. A comprehensive home security system offers 24/7 monitoring, security cameras, sensors for your doors and windows, glass break detectors, and smart lock capabilities.
If you have family visiting, for example, you don’t have to worry about giving out sets of keys or leaving the doors unlocked. You can simply give them a code.
8. Watch for fire hazards.
December is the deadliest month for electrical fires. When hanging lights, inspect the strands for fraying and cracked bulbs. If you’re buying new lights, look for independent testing (e.g. Underwriters Laboratory) to ensure they meet stringent safety standards.
Decorating your home inside and out is one of the most significant joys of the seasons for homeowners; however, it is important to practice proper fire safety with your trees, garland, and candles. Here are some key statistics about fire dangers from the National Fire Prevention Association:
- First responders answer upwards of 770 decoration-related fire calls every year.
- Approximately half of these fires are related to candles.
- There are approximately 160 Christmas tree fires annually.
- One in five Christmas tree fires can be traced to the tree being placed too close to a heat source.
In addition to decoration dangers, cooking accidents account for many holiday fires each year. It is vital to pay close attention to your dishes as you prepare for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners.
9. Clean your furnace and chimney.
Unclean furnaces are not only inefficient, they can be dangerous. Prior to the start of the heating season, have your system cleaned and inspected by a certified technician.
10. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
This risk of carbon monoxide poisoning increases in the winter (another very important reason to have your furnace cleaned!). Known as the “silent killer,” CO is tasteless, odorless, and colorless; you will not realize you have a leak, which is why a functioning detector is so critical.
When you’re prepared and aware of risks, you can effectively manage them. The holidays should be a time for celebration, fun, togetherness, joy — and lots of yummy treats. When you take steps to protect your family and home, they will be! Contact the Integrity Security team to talk about your home security needs.
11. Keep your decorations fresh.
A rotting jack-o-lantern on your porch or dried-out wreaths send burglars an open invitation to investigate your home. If you are spending time out at holiday gatherings or traveling, use your outdoor decorations to give the appearance that you are still home.
12. Ask neighbors to get your mail.
An overstuffed mailbox communicates to burglars that you are away for the holidays. Ask your neighbors to collect your mail while you are away.
13. Don’t leave packages on the porch.
This is very similar to the last, but sometimes gets overlooked.
We are doing more and more of our holiday shopping online. While this is convenient and time-saving, if your packages spend time on the porch, you are asking for them to get swiped by thieves.
If you know you can’t be home for the arrival of holiday gift packages, ask a trusted neighbor or friend to pick them up.
14. Light up your property.
Do you decorate your property with beautiful lights during the holiday season? That may indeed be one step in the right direction toward protecting you from burglaries.
In addition to Christmas lights, this might be the season to add some security lighting to your property that can help deter thieves all year.
At Integrity Security, we help families and property owners protect what matters most, your home and family. Based in North Wilkesboro, we serve residents throughout the piedmont and foothills. We would be happy to discuss your security and fire monitoring needs, so you can be at ease this holiday season. It is our sincere hope that you have a wonderful holiday season.