The Holidays are quickly approaching. Unfortunately, that means crime will be on the rise. Statistically, crimes of robbery and personal larceny rise 20% during the last month of the year. Here are a few things to be mindful of, not just during the Holidays, but also for always.
Ensure all entry points are locked when you’re out.
About 30% of burglars get into homes through unlocked front doors! How many times have you left the house and asked yourself, did I lock the front door? It happens—thankfully, the odds of someone robbing your home in the short amount of time it takes to turn back around are slim.
If you’re saying, “I never leave the house unlocked.” Sadly, that alone won’t stop someone from attempting a break-in. Did you know that your front door is the most common access point for burglaries? The reason why? It’s actually the easiest point of entry because if it wasn’t accidentally left unlocked, there is usually a spare key laying around. In fact, some criminals will even break a sidelight window to gain access to your home via the front door.
While an alarm system can alert neighbors and the authorities, that won’t prevent a break-in. Another thing worth considering is getting Hurricane impact windows. Not only are they good for protecting against storms, they’re also great for deterring a burglar. Just keep in mind that they too must be kept locked while away.
If you think hiding a spare key in a nearby rock or planter is a good idea, think again. It’s the first place someone will look if they’re trying to gain access to your home. This is among the least secure things one can do.
Don’t forget the garage!
If you have an attached garage, don’t let your garage door become compromised either. Don’t forget about your garage’s secondary door. That should have a deadbolt and strike plate as well. Check the lock on your garage door. It may need an upgrade.
If you park in the driveway, don’t leave your garage door opener in your car, but if you do, hide it in your glove box. If you have a built-in garage door opener (and in all cases) make sure your car is locked.
We recommend the following to better protect your home:
• Use durable locks for your front and back door, such as a deadbolt.
• Ensure you have a heavy-duty strike plate installed. Having one can prevent your door from being kicked in—even if the door itself and/or frame are old.
• Again, ALWAYS lock your door—when arriving and leaving your home.
• Make sure your garage door and any cars in the driveway are locked.
Never publicly announce when you’re out of town!
If you love posting to social media, virtually checking in at places and uploading vacation pictures is not something you want to do while you’re away. It’s basically announcing to the world that nobody’s home and you won’t be back any time soon. If one of your social media followers or a less-than-friendly “friend” sees that, they may get ideas. Instead, wait until you get back home to share your adventure. Your friends and family will still love your pictures just as much even if they’re posted after the fact.
If you’ve gone out of town and forgot to lock the front door, having a smart lock makes it easy to lock up via the smart lock’s mobile app. Just make sure you have a decent signal or connect with wifi to access your app’s remote locking feature. If you don’t have a smart lock, giving a spare key to a close family member or a trustworthy neighbor is a good way to avoid a break-in if you or someone forgets to lock up (this also comes in handy if you like yourself out). It’s certainly safer than leaving a key under the mat.
Holiday Shopping? Make sure you grab your car keys before leaving your car.
If you plan on doing some Holiday shopping at the Mall or perhaps picking some fresh produce, make sure you grab your keys and lock your car doors. With less daylight during these fall and winter months, you do not want to lock your keys in the car. Waiting in the dark with shopping bags is not fun and can be dangerous if there is no security guard present. Parking near light posts is a good idea whenever possible. If you’re fortunate enough to have a newer car, it might have an app that allows you to lock and unlock your vehicle using your mobile device.
Following these safety tips can prevent security breaches to your home, your car, but most importantly give you some peace of mind during the stressful holiday season. So whether you need new deadbolts installed or happen to lock your keys in the car, give us a call!
Thanks
Todd Theroux
