The holiday season is a wonderful time for celebration and joy, but it’s also a good opportunity to be mindful of home safety. With more people traveling and valuable gifts on display, it’s crucial to take steps to secure your home during this time of year. Here are seven tips for enhancing your home security during the holidays and beyond.  

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1. Evaluate Your Current Home Security

Before the holiday season gets going, take inventory of your existing security measures. This includes checking… 

  • Locks: Ensure all your doors and windows are fitted with sturdy, working locks. If you don’t have deadbolts on your doors, adding them can provide more protection.  
  • Outdoor Lighting: Install motion-sensor lights around entrances and pathways to deter potential intruders.  
  • Security System: If you have an existing security system, test all aspects of it to ensure it’s functioning properly. 

2. Communicate with Your Neighbors

Partnering with your community to increase security measures is a win-win for everybody. Share contact information with a couple of your neighbors for quick communication regarding any suspicious activities.

You can also join a neighborhood watch group on Meta (Facebook). If your community doesn’t have one yet, you can start one yourself.  

Related Link: Follow us on Meta for more advice and ideas 

3. Take Charge of Your Deliveries

Package theft is always a concern, and this year is no exception since online shopping is forecasted to increase by up to 3.5% this holiday season. To help mitigate this security risk, you can take charge of your deliveries by… 

  • Scheduling Deliveries: Many delivery services offer the option to schedule when your packages are dropped off, so you can ensure someone is at home.  
  • Choosing a Pickup Location: If available, opt for delivery to a local locker or pickup spot. This way, you can get your packages on your own time, and you don’t have to worry about them sitting out in front of your house. 

4. Secure Your Home While You’re Traveling

If you plan to leave town during the holidays, there are precautions you can take that make it appear as though you’re at home. Use timers to turn lights on and off to create the illusion of occupancy. Contact your local post office to hold your mail, or have a neighbor collect it for you, to avoid signaling that you’re away. You can also ask a neighbor to check on your property periodically while you’re gone. 

Related Resource: See how impact products keep your home safer 

5. Limit Sharing on Social Media

While it is tempting to share your holiday plans on social media, be cautious about how much you disclose, especially if your accounts are public. If you post about your incredible trip while you’re still out of town, it can alert potential intruders that your house is unoccupied. Instead, wait until you’re back home to show off the memories you made during your time away. 

6. Keep Expensive Gifts Hidden

In addition to keeping your travel plans more private, it’s also important to hide expensive gifts to help ensure your home stays secure during the holiday season. Instead of displaying your beautifully wrapped gifts near a window or entry point, keep them in an area of the house where you and your family alone can enjoy them. And once everything has been opened, break down empty boxes and place them directly in your garbage can rather than leaving them on the side of the road for everyone to see.  

7. Invest in Preventative Measures

Upgrading your home with new technology or products can significantly enhance your security. Consider investing in the following: 

  • Smart Cameras/Doorbells: These allow you to monitor your home in real time. Many models come with features like motion detection and two-way audio. 
  • Smart Lighting: Automated lighting can create the illusion that someone is home. Set timers for indoor and outdoor lights to turn on and off at strategic times. 

Implementing these seven safety measures can help keep your home secure and safe throughout the holiday season, so you can enjoy the most wonderful time of the year with your loved ones.