With countless travel plans and a major increase in expensive packages being delivered, December is a month during which many burglaries occur. There’s a range of strategies that one can implement in order to protect your family, your home, and your property from residential break-ins. In this blog entry, the expert Chicago residential lock and security team here at Chicago Locksmith will detail some great tips to protect your home from holiday season burglaries.
Don’t Display Gifts Near Windows or Post Gift Pictures Online
Avoid conspicuously displaying any presents or expensive electronics that you may have received near a window that can easily be seen from the street. Additionally, never post photos of your gifts on social media – especially if your social media is accessible to the public or people you haven’t expressly approved.
Smart Lights or Timers
Install smart lighting devices that allow you to turn interior lights on and off at specific times of day with varying brightnesses in order to create the illusion that somebody is at home. Another alternative is to hook lamps up to traditional timers.
Safes
Lock valuables inside safes – or even safe rooms – while you’re not home. This allows the peace of mind in knowing that even if a burglary does occur, that your valuables will be safe.
Notify Neighbors Before Travel
If you’re planning on going away, ask a trusted neighbor to periodically check up on your house to see if there’s any suspicious goings-on. If they notice anything, they can contact you or the police as soon as possible.
Ship Packages to Lockers
If you’re purchasing your Christmas presents online, have them directly shipped to be picked up at a locker as opposed to the outside of your home in order to prevent enticing any potential thieves.
Don’t Leave Presents in your Car
Never leave gifts in your car, even if they’re wrapped. Burglars are on the look out for expensive items – especially electronics – left in cars during this season, so it’s a good idea to remove any valuables as soon as you arrive home.
Keep Garage and Back Doors Secure
Always keep your garage and backdoors fully secured and locked. A great recommendation is to utilize a slide lock fixed to the wall combined with a padlock – as well as a deadbolt lock on whatever door might exist between the interior of your home and your garage.
