The holidays are a wonderful time of the year to indulge in decadent treats and create warm memories with loved ones.
During the busy holiday season, you may spend a lot less time at home.
Maybe you’ll be visiting friends and family during the holidays or escaping the cold to travel somewhere warm.
Regardless, an empty home poses some risks. During this time of year, the chances of someone breaking into your home increases. The modern-day grinches know that many homes are empty during the holidays!
Here are some tips to keep your home secure so that your family can enjoy the holiday season to the fullest.
Don’t Overshare on Social Media
While social media is a great tool for connecting with friends and family near and far, you have to be mindful of what you post. It may seem harmless to post a photo with your geotag location attached, but it can have dire consequences. It’s best not to share your travel plans on social media, especially because it lets everyone know that your home is empty. Even worse, posting a photo while you’re at the airport lets any potential intruders know that you will be away for an extended period of time. You never know who might see it and realize there’s no one home.
Arrange to Have Snow Cleared
With the vast amount of snow we’ve received over the past few weeks, snow covered driveways are a telltale sign that there’s no one home. Arranging to have snow cleared while you’re away will make it appear like someone’s home.
Home Security Systems
This may seem like an obvious tip, but it is truly effective when trying to protect your home. Home security systems are effective because they notify the security company as soon as the alarm gets tripped. Home security cameras are an effective tool in protecting your home. Now, with the advancement of technology, you can monitor your cameras through your smart phone and even integrate smart locks to lock your home using your phone.
Lights On and Off Automatically
When you’re away, you’ll want to give the impression that you are at home. You can set timers on indoor lights or install programmable light switches so that your lights turn off and on, making your home appear occupied.
Alternatively, you can install smart bulbs that can be programmed using a smartphone app. Smart bulbs are convenient because you can skip all the extension cords and plug-in timers. They also give you the ability to control when the lights turn on and off from the accessibility of your smart phone, putting the control of when they turn on and off in your hands. You can even create a setting where simply opening the door automatically turns on the lights.
Be Wary of The Spare Key
Spare keys are useful, especially if you find yourself locked out of your home. The problem is, a lot of the places we use have become so common that burglars know it too. If you are going to hide a spare key outside over the holidays, avoid hiding it in common places, like under the door mat or in the mailbox.
Lock the Doors and Windows
This tip may seem the most obvious, but a lot of people forget to do it. Always make sure your doors and windows are locked, even windows that are on the second floor. Close your curtains and blinds so that potential intruders are unable to see in and ensure gifts aren’t visible from the outside.
Older, worn doors and windows make it easier for someone to break in. They say that 95% of break-ins require force, so cheaper doors and windows are targeted. Interestingly, the front door is often checked first because it provides an easy means of getting in and out quickly.
If you’re looking to update old windows and doors, give us a call today.
From all of us here at Kempenfelt Windows and Doors, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season!