Deck the Halls with Safety: Home Security for Holiday Travel
11 27 2017
Going for a change of scenery this holiday season? With 400,000 home break-ins occurring from November-December each year in the U.S., you might be a little worried about your home and property while you’re off under sunnier skies. Here are some security tips for your vacation.
- Install home security alarms
60% of burglars would abandon their burglary attempt upon finding out the house they were breaking into had an alarm system, according to a study by The University of North Carolina at Charlotte Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology. So, if you don’t have a home security system , it would be a good idea to get an inexpensive, DIY system before you take your vacation.
You can also supplement an existing home security system with a SABRE Door or Window Alarm 2-Pack. These 120 dB alarms install in seconds, as the sensor can be placed on the left or right side of the siren. - Put your lights and TV on a timer The UNC study mentioned above also found that the majority of burglars “tended to avoid targets that had people inside.” Light and TV timers can help you capitalize on this piece of burglar psychology knowledge—even while you’re not even at home.
You might also consider a TV Light Simulator, which recreates the exact sort of light produced by a television, using just the energy of a nightlight. - Have a trusted friend or relative shovel and bring in the mail
An unshoveled driveway and piled up mail or newspapers are a tell-tale sign you’re not around. - Don't post about your vacation in advance or real time
You’re excited for your vacation—and it must be tempting to shout it from the rooftops (read: social media platforms). Instead of posting before or during your vacation, why not instead re-live the memories after you return home? This lets potential burglars know that you’re already back home while allowing you to share a snapshot of your vacation with your loved ones.
- Ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your house
Let them know who is going to be shoveling the driveway and bringing in the mail—and better yet, introduce them! This way your neighbors don’t have to worry about accidentally calling the police on your friends and family if they see someone on your property.