This holiday season, you are most likely thinking about taking some time off to relax with family and friends, enjoy delicious meals, and exchange presents. For criminals, though, the holiday season is the perfect time to commit burglaries.
Why Burglaries Increase around the Holidays
On a holiday, groups gather at the home of one person or family. That means that all of the guests’ homes are vacant, making them prime targets for thieves. Burglars can drive through a neighborhood on a holiday, see a family pile into a car and drive away, and know that the house will be empty for several hours or longer.
Families often take extended vacations during the holidays. A stuffed mailbox, a pile of newspapers on the front steps, a consistently dark house, or a driveway that was not shoveled after a snowstorm are obvious clues that the occupants are away. Some burglars take a more high-tech approach, monitoring social media to see who is writing about an upcoming vacation or posting pictures of a vacation in progress. Even if a person did not post his or her home address on social media, a full name and state, plus a little research, can allow a burglar to find the homeowner’s complete address.
During the holiday season, people often have valuables, such as electronics and jewelry that they intend to give as gifts stashed in closets where they can be easy to find and steal. Those items can be sold quickly for cash, and they can be difficult to trace.
How to Avoid Becoming a Target
Be aware of the increased risk of burglaries this holiday season and take steps to protect your family and belongings. If you will be away from your house on a holiday, close the blinds or curtains and leave some lights on inside and outside the house. If you plan to go away for more than a couple of days, arrange to have a neighbor pick up your mail, or have it held at the post office until you return. If there is a chance of snow where you live, ask someone to shovel your driveway so it won’t be obvious that no one is home. Set lights to turn on and off with a timer, but make sure there is no clear pattern. Store valuable gifts in a safe or hide them in places where burglars would be unlikely to look. If you have a home security system, be sure it is activated at all times.
Check Your Locks
Make sure that all of the locks in your house are working correctly. If there are any that are difficult to lock or unlock, get the problem fixed immediately. All American Locksmiths can make any necessary repairs so you can have peace of mind this holiday season.
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