07 Dec 8 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Tis the season!  The holiday season is here, and we want to share 8 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME THIS HOLIDAY SEASON:

1. Decorate Safely–  Make sure your holiday decorations are safe to use, both inside and outside of your home. Check all your lighting and other electronic décor to make sure the cords are still in good working condition. Also do not overload your outlets, as this can be a fire hazard. Turn off all lights before you go to bed, set a timer for them to be turned off at a specific time, or use a smart plug.

2. Outsmart Package Thieves-  Online shopping is more popular than ever! Many stores offer online holiday shopping deals and/or free shipping. Keep track of your packages and make sure they aren’t sitting outside in front of your door for too long. This creates the opportunity for thieves to steal them. Video doorbells, such as Ring, record footage of who goes in and out of your home as well as who comes up to your door. An alternative option might be to have your packages delivered to your job where someone will be there to receive them, or you might want to invest in a package lockbox.

3. Make Your Home Look Occupied– If you plan to be away on vacation or just out of your home a lot during the holiday season, plan to make your home look like it is occupied. Use smart lighting or set timers for lighting around your home, park a car in the driveway and cancel any mail/newspaper delivery. Think about the holiday movie Home Alone. Let your immediate neighbors know when you are planning to go out of town, so they can keep an eye out for any suspicious activity when you are away.

4. Spread Holiday Cheer with Your Neighbors– The holidays are the perfect time to introduce yourself to your neighbors if you don’t already know them. Drop off some baked goods or a bottle of wine to your next-door neighbors and say hello. When you know your neighbors, you tend to look out for each other, and this helps keep your neighborhood safe. If you notice something out of the ordinary, let your neighbor(s) know and ask them to do the same for you in return (this creates a buddy system).

5. Be Careful When Posting on Social Media– When you post on social media you don’t know who is sharing and or reading your posts. If you are planning to go out of town or purchased a new gift (or holiday gifts) be careful about posting these kinds of things on social media. You can become a burglary target without realizing that someone is planning their next heist.

6. Keep Your Gifts Out of Plain Sight– Keep your tree and the gifts underneath it out of plain sight. When you remove the temptation, you reduce your chances of becoming a victim of burglary.

7. Dispose of Packaging Properly– After you open your new holiday gifts and gadgets, make sure you dispose of the packaging and boxes properly. Boxes that can be seen clearly from the curb show exactly what items you have inside your home. Break down boxes and dispose of them in a way that doesn’t let the world know what you have inside your home.

8. Turn on Your Home Security System Regularly– If you don’t already have one, you might want to invest in a home security system to help protect your home and your family. Smart security systems allow you to monitor your home right from the palm of your hand. You can view security cameras, video doorbells, lock/unlock your doors and more…remotely from a phone, tablet, or computer.

We want to make sure you keep your home and family safe and secure this holiday season!

Learn more about our current available lots , available homes , and click below to schedule your free consultation.  We look forward to hearing from you!