Many people are out and about during the holidays visiting family and friends. Because they may be less likely to be noticed, burglars have the an ideal opportunity to target houses. Here are a number of suggestions to keep your home safe from intruders during the holiday season:
You can do several things before the holiday festivities start so you can protect yourself against burglars.
First, look at the locks on your doors. Is it something easy enough for anyone to pick? If so, you need a higher quality lock - one that will take longer to pick.
While one of the best ways to deter criminals is with a security system, many people leave these systems off during holidays because they don't want them going off accidentally during parties, for instance.
If you have a new security system that isn't being monitored, think about activating it for this time of year, so if someone tries to break into your home, it will send an alert to the police immediately. This way, you're covered even if guests stop by throughout the day.
Although not as effective as other types of deterrents, installing some outdoor lighting on your property can help scare away potential burglars before they even attempt to enter your home.
Also, make sure it's well lit inside your home as this will show criminals that people are moving around inside.
Although surveillance cameras aren't the only way to protect yourself against burglars, they can give you an extra sense of security during holidays. If you have a monitored security system, it will let the police know if someone tries to break in.
Just make sure not to touch any surveillance footage after an incident occurs because it could be used as evidence for police.
One thing you don't want to happen is for burglars to steal your valuables - whether it's gifts under your tree or things inside your home - so be sure to keep them tucked away in a safe place.
Also, make sure to keep your garage, and your vehicle doors secure as burglars often try breaking into these areas first before entering your home because it will make things easier on them.
One of the great ways to protect your valuables is by using a safe inside your home that wouldn't be easy for criminals to get into. When it comes down to it, safes are essential because many burglars carry crowbars when breaking into homes.
One thing you can do is turn on some lights throughout the day while you're away at work or running errands to show that someone is there even if they aren't.
If you have an outdoor light that turns on automatically, think about setting it up earlier than usual, so criminals know that it's going to be activated after dark.
While many people don't usually lock their ladders up outside their homes, this is something you should consider doing to prevent criminals from using it to break into your home.
Another thing you should never do is leave your garage door open - even if you're popping out for a second to get something inside the house.
If you don't want to waste time opening and closing it, think about leaving it halfway open so that when you come back out, you can push the button again to close the garage door behind you. This will show criminals that someone is there if they are watching your home.
When you leave for the day, make sure to double-check that your garage door is locked. This will keep criminals out of your home while you're gone, and it's an easy way to save money on energy bills since you won't be needing to use any power in your garage (which is often left on when people forget to lock it).
While you may not think about while driving around, there are some instances where you leave your windows rolled down. This opens up opportunities for criminals - especially if you're parked in a neighborhood close to where you live.
This is a mistake that many people make, but it's best to keep your windows rolled up and keep your car keys with you at all times.
If you're going to be out of town for a while, it's important to unplug all your appliances and electronics. It might make it harder for burglars to tell whether you're home or not.
Yes, it may seem like common sense, many people forget to do this, and as a result, their homes become easy targets for criminals.
When you're not home, keeping both your house locked and car doors locked will keep criminals from trying to get into either one.
One thing many people forget about is making sure that their locks are secure.
Many criminals will kick a door several times to try and break it open. Consider getting a new lock installed if the one you have now seems weak.
If you don't have a deadbolt on your door, consider getting a good lock for your doorknob. This will make it harder for criminals to open your door.
Installing motion sensor lights around your property during the holiday season is a great way to scare away potential criminals. Criminals don't want their faces to be seen in your yard, much less capture their images in the camera.
Having some plants in your home can also help deter burglars. It makes it harder for them to see what's inside your home.
One of the more common ways burglars gain entry into homes is by climbing up on high fences or hedges. They are harder to get seen. If you have high shrubs or hedges, consider having them trimmed. Keep them low enough to where criminals can't climb over them.
Plant thorny bushes in front of your windows. It is an effective way to prevent burglars from trying to break into your home. They might think twice whether it's worth the effort. Just make sure the bushes aren't so large that someone could climb over them.
Criminals will do almost anything to gain entry into homes. Around the holidays, people travel and thus, their houses are unoccupied.
If you're leaving your home for an extended period, creating a simple distraction near the front door. For instance, opening your window curtain or turning on a light inside. This could be enough for criminals to think someone is home and move to another house down the street.
If you have to leave your home during the holidays, try not to let burglars see you when you're leaving. Doing so could lead them to your front door. They may even try knocking or ringing the doorbell to check if anyone is home before coming inside.
Ensure that nobody can see you through windows or peepholes by keeping blinds closed throughout the day. This will also keep your home safe since no one will know you're gone.
It may seem cliché, but never showing signs of nervousness or fear during a burglary. It is one way to protect yourself from potential threats. If you act like everything is OK during an incident, they'll see that nobody's home and they'll most likely leave.
With that being said, a locksmith in Johnson City can help you in keeping your home and possessions safe.
The experts at Star Spangled Locksmithing can install high-security locks in existing doors or windows. These are impervious to sawing and picking. While there is no 100% guarantee of safety, high-security locks can help thwart would-be thieves.
As the holiday season quickly approaches, it's essential to keep your family safe at all times.
These tips are an excellent start. However, to protect your home and possessions during this time of year, contact Star Spangled Locksmithing today.
Call Star Spangled Locksmithing now. Learn more about how you can protect and keep your home safe from burglars during the holidays! Call (423)427-2907.
