The holiday season is a time for family and friends to travel, gather, and celebrate. But, the holidays can also be a time of increased risk for your personal and home security. Days grow shorter, the nights longer, and criminals know 'tis the season for home invasion.
You can take several steps to ensure your home remains safe and secure during the holiday season.
Own Your Security
Your personal (and your family's) security is your responsibility. Bad people exist, and they will never seize to exist. They will always target others; however, you play a significant role in the likelihood of becoming a victim of a crime. Take actions now and every day that will minimize your chances of becoming a victim.
Always Secure Your Home
Ensure all windows and doors are securely locked and all ladders and tools used to access your home are stored away. Make it a habit! Check the perimeter of your home for weapons or entry tools, i.e., stacked bricks, a baseball bat, etc. Store them inside or secure them.
No Social Media
Sure, you want to share photos of your adventures, but ensure your profile is set to private, and do not post during travel. If you must post, do so when you arrive home. Some criminals are specifically looking for posts to know when their victims are away. Only accept followers that you personally know and trust.
Get a Dog
A dog throws a curveball into the scenario. A burglar already has to deal with getting in and out quickly and consider any security systems you may have in play. Our furry friends are fantastic security solutions. You do not need to have a scary dog. Any dog that sounds bigger than it is will be a great deterrent. A dog lets a burglar know, "Someone is home, or someone will be home soon." If you are out of town, this may not be an option, but consider hiring a trusted dog sitter to walk, feed, and play with your dog while away.
Tell Your Neighbors
This one is easy. If you know your neighbors and trust them, tell them when you are gone. Have them check your house, look for suspicious activity, and contact you if there are issues. Do the same for them.
Install a Security System
A home security system will not stop a determined criminal, but it is good to have. The presence of a security system may deter criminal activity; however, criminals know police response times are decreased during the holidays when staff levels are at a minimum. The goal of a security system is to gather evidence that is needed after a crime is committed because any evidence is better than no evidence. Some security systems notify a call center that informs the police to respond; however, consider the following. Police departments are overworked, understaffed, and underappreciated, if not defunded. What does that mean for you? It means you're on your own and don't have to spend cash for a premium service. Think back to my first point: Own your security.
Utilize Outdoor Lighting and Timers
Installing outdoor lighting, such as motion-activated flood lights, can be an effective deterrent against burglars and other criminals. Lights that are on when darkness falls can make it difficult for criminals to remain undetected. Keep lights on timers. Nothing says "I'm not home" more than a fully lit house during broad daylight multiple days in a row.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
It can be as simple as looking at the ground. For what? Footprints. I am one of those paranoid people that knows when someone has tracked across my yard simply by seeing new shoe prints that I don't recognize. If you pay more attention to your surroundings, you will begin to notice these things. Your security is a way of life; you must always be aware of your surroundings.
Consider Home Automation
Investing in a home automation system can be a great way to protect your home during the holidays. Automation systems allow you to control your home from anywhere. You can lock and unlock doors, turn on lights, and monitor activity remotely. Be mindful that a power outage, intentional or not, can render all automation useless. Consider backup power solutions. There are many additional considerations for having devices connected to the Internet in your home, but that's another topic.
Take the time to invest your time and thoughts in your personal and home security. Your house doesn't need to be a fortress; it just needs to be a more challenging target than your neighbor's house. Tell them to read this post if you like your neighbors, and we'll keep kicking the target list down the street. Seriously though, you cannot stop crime. You can only make yourself a harder target, which might be enough to deter a criminal. One of the hardest things about being the victim of a crime isn't the actual loss of stuff. The hardest part is trying to cope with the internal feelings of how you could have deterred such action and feeling vulnerable to another invasion.
