The winter holiday season is a time of goodwill, presents and family gatherings, and a big opportunity for criminals. Reports of robbery and property theft generally increased by about 20% in December, according to the National Crime Victimization Survey.
Smart locks work by pairing with your phone so you can enter without a key in hand.
Installing a home security system is one of the most effective ways to prevent intruders from entering and to alert you if there’s been a break-in. Data shows that a home without a security system is roughly three times more likely to be broken into. If an intruder spots a security camera or a sign indicating you have a security system, they’re more likely to keep moving.
Outdoor lights and floodlights can deter would-be burglars from targeting your home.
People put a lot of effort into securing their homes but often forget entirely about their garages. Unfortunately, that can be an easy way to gain entrance into your home. First, be sure any regular doors and windows in your garage are locked. Next, consider keeping your garage door opener in the house rather than in your car where someone could steal it. Finally, you should also keep the interior door from your garage to your home locked. That way, if someone does gain entry into your garage, they still can’t get into your home.
As with door locks, buying a retrofit smart garage door opener is an option. These devices allow you to check the status of your garage while you’re away, control it remotely and schedule it to shut at certain times.
If you have a house key under your doormat or flowerpot on the porch, rethink its placement. Intruders know these popular hiding places for spare keys, and those are the first places they’ll look. Instead, consider giving the extra key to a trusted neighbor or friend. If you must have a spare key outside your home, look for safer alternatives such as a concealed combination lockbox — or at least a discreet and unexpected location far from your doorway. A little extra caution and mindfulness can go a long way in keeping your home safe.
Don’t let your deliveries get stolen by porch pirates.
It’s also important to remember home security extends to your front porch and that means protecting your delivered packages from porch pirates. Billions of packages are delivered every year in the US alone (especially during the holiday season) and many of those delivered packages sit unattended for hours, attracting thieves. One recent study found that 43% of respondents reported having a package stolen in 2020, which is up from 36% in 2019.
With porch piracy on the rise, there are several methods to keeping your items safe, such as investing in a porch lockbox or a mailbox sensor, a small device that attaches to your mailbox and notifies you when it’s opened. You could also require a signature upon delivery to prevent your packages from sitting unattended until you get home.
No one wants to become the victim of a home invasion. Implementing the tips on this checklist will help discourage and prevent burglars, and keep your family and belongings safe. You can start small and pick just a couple of things on this list to focus on. Once you have those down, you can move on to other items on the checklist. Each small improvement you make will contribute to your home and loved ones being that much more secure.
For more on home security, check out how to keep your security cameras from being hacked and read up on using an old smartphone as a security camera. Plus, read about the most ideal locations for your home security cameras.
