The list of things to accomplish can grow out of control during the holidays. With all the decorating, cleaning, shopping, and festivity planning, it can be easy to overlook some important safety concerns. Take some time out to protect your family, home and belongings by following these safety tips.
1. Don’t advertise your travel plans. While it’s fun to talk about your holiday travels, posting photos of memorable moments on social media can get shared or sometimes seen by people you don’t know well or at all. It’s like advertising that your home is unoccupied and ready for an easy break-in. Even with strict privacy settings on social media, things can go wrong. Save the vacation posts for after your return.
2. Ask the neighbors to keep watch on your home if you’re traveling. Entrust close neighbors to watch for packages, newspapers, or flyers that are left outside your home. Be sure to stop the mail delivery for the duration of your vacation. Uncollected mail and deliveries are obvious signals to thieves that your home is unattended. Also ask for a hand keeping the driveway and walkway cleared if it snows.
3. Use home automation. Home automation is a great way to deter burglars by making it look like you’re home. Add a motion sensor light or use smart plugs and smart lightbulbs that let you control lights, TVs, and more from anywhere.
4. Protect your packages. The gifts you’ve bought for others are what many holiday thieves are after. If someone isn’t home for deliveries, consider using a lock box offered by online retailers, or invest in a doorbell cam as a deterrence. Keep presents out of sight inside the home until the day they’re opened.
5. Break down boxes after the holidays. Electronic purchases and other expensive items come in boxes that clearly announce to burglars what you’ve scored for the holidays. Be sure to break down boxes so that they just look like ordinary corrugated recyclables when left at the curb. That way you won’t be telling all passersby about the new 65-inch HD television sitting in your living room.
6. Inspect your holiday lights for fire prevention. December is one of the deadliest months for electrical fires. That’s why it’s critical to inspect strands of lights to make sure there aren’t any frayed cords or cracked lamps. Replace any broken lamps and throw away strands with torn or frayed cords. This will help prevent an accidental fire. Be sure to turn off lights when you go to bed or go out for the evening. Consider keeping holiday lights on a timer.