Many people are away from their homes this time of year for holiday gatherings, extended shopping trips, and out-of-town travel. At the same time, homes are filled with expensive items that are already boxed up and ready to haul out the door.

For these reasons, burglaries are common in December when homes are empty, so it’s important to know how to keep your home safe during the holidays.

Ways to Keep Your Home Safe During the Holidays

Home security is a year-round concern for everyone. Regardless of where you live, your home may be targeted at any time. The holiday season is a time when your home may be particularly vulnerable, and the reward to criminals is greater because of the holiday gifts inside.

By taking these steps to keep your home safe during the holidays, you can enjoy a carefree season with family and friends.

1. Avoid Making It Obvious

Many people place their tree in a front-facing window of the home to add a festive look to the home’s exterior. However, this also directly advertises that you likely have gifts inside. It also tells criminals exactly where the gifts are and that they’re easily accessible.

Move your holiday tree away from the front of the house and put valuable items, wrapped or unwrapped, out of sight from the windows.

2. Take Advantage of Lights

Most of us turn lights off when we’re not at home. You may also keep lights off in all rooms except the one you’re in to be more energy-efficient. Criminals look for darkened homes because the shadows hide their presence. It is less likely to be seen entering or leaving a dark home versus a well-lit home.

To save energy, use solar-powered exterior lights and motion-activated spotlights. You can also use a timer to turn lights on and off as needed so it looks like you are home.

3. Let a Trusted Neighbor Know

A trusted neighbor can easily observe anything unusual and collect your newspapers and mail while you are out of town. The next time they go out of town, you can return the favor by keeping an eye on their home. This is a great way to keep your home safe during the holidays when you are traveling.

4. Secure Your Home With Technology

If your home is not secured by a monitored home alarm system, now may be the time to set up this service. An alternative is to use smartphone technology. Cameras and motion sensors can be placed inside and outside that will send an alert to your smartphone if they are triggered.

Now that you understand why your home is vulnerable during this season and throughout the year, you can follow these tips to keep your home safe during the holidays.

Walton Inspection Services provides home inspection services to Murrells Inlet and the surrounding communities. Contact us to request an inspection.