The holiday season is upon us, and that means many of us will be traveling out of town or out of the state. This can be a fun adventure – just make sure to keep in mind the following holiday security tips so that you can keep your home, belongings, and even pets safe. Here at CDI Protection, we have 5 at-home security tips and tricks that will help you have a safe, happy holiday this year.
Do Crime Rates Increase During the Holidays?
It depends on the state you live in, but, generally speaking, crimes like break-ins and thefts do increase during the holiday season. For this reason (even though you’ll want to practice these during the other times of the year), we recommend you follow these safety tips.
Holiday Security: How Can You Protect Your Belongings?
#1: If You’ll Be Leaving the House, Secure Your Home
It might not be practical to install an entire security system (complete with monitoring) before you leave. However, we’re lucky that recent advancements in technology have made home monitoring systems more inexpensive than ever. Systems like Ring allow you to install heavy-duty door locks, cameras, and pin pads in less than a weekend.
Consider investing in these systems if you’re going to be away for an extended period of time at the end of this year. These investments also help to increase the value of your home!
#2: Hide Expensive-Looking Items or Wrapped Gifts
Many robbers will peek inside a home before they break in – if they see lots of valuable items or many wrapped gifts on display, your home looks like a great spot to loot. You can avoid break-ins by keeping things reasonably hidden or simply keeping your curtains closed when you are away.
#3: Use Your Smart Home Features to Make It Look Like You’re Home
If lights are on in the house, robbers will be less likely to consider a break-and-enter. You can set timers if you don’t have a smart home hooked up. Otherwise, simply open up your smart home app and randomly turn the lights on and off during the day.
#4: Whenever You Are Not in Your Vehicle, Lock It
Unlocked cars are an easy, alluring target for people who are looking for an easy grab. You should never keep valuables in your car anyway, but locking your car is a huge deterrent!
#5: Arrange for Someone to Visit or Watch Your Home for Extra Holiday Security
Tip number three above can be helpful if no one is actively checking to see if you’re home; however, a mailbox full of mail might tip someone off that you are not home. If you can, have a neighbor collect your mail every other day and do a quick check to make sure nothing looks “off.”
CDI Protection: Metro Atlanta’s Trusted Holiday Security Partner
You can’t necessarily hire a security guard for your home, but you can install a security system or ask your landlord to consider private security if there have been many break-in attempts. By following these tips and tricks, you can ensure that your home and belongings are as safe as possible.
Happy Holidays!
-The Team at CDI Protection
