Winter is here, and along with it comes plenty of holiday travel and visiting friends and family. With Christmas approaching, have you taken the proper measures to make sure your home is protected when you go visiting? Below are five tips for keeping your home safe this season.
1. Using Timers
Using automated light switch timers is an excellent way to deter thieves. You can program your timer to turn the lights on inside your home around four or five in the afternoon and have them programmed to cut off around ten or eleven at night. To make it even more convincing, program the lights in each room for different times. For example, have the lights on in your kitchen from five to seven, the living room lights on from six to ten, and bedroom lights on from eight to eleven. The lights outside your home should be programmed to stay on from six in the evening until seven in the morning. When a home is consistently dark, it’s a magnet for thieves. Programming your lights with home automation equipment is a great deterrent for potential intruders.
2. Turn Your Thermostat Down
Instead of turning your thermostat off when traveling, turn it down instead. This will help you save money and keep your home safe from potential hazards. When you turn your thermostat off, you run the risk of freezing pipes in your home. Frozen pipes are extremely dangerous and might lead to water damage inside your home and some expensive repairs. Before you leave for holiday travels, turn your thermostat down so that your home is warm enough to prevent the pipes from freezing.
3. Inform a Close Neighbor
Let a neighbor you trust know about your upcoming travel plans. Tell them when your family is going out of town and when you’re returning. Ask them to take care of any pets and plants you have in the house. If someone you trust is keeping a good eye on your home, they can alert local authorities if they notice someone lingering around your home or if a problem occurs.
4. Always Check Locks
Before you go away for a holiday traveling, check all the locks on any exterior doors. You might find that some of them are weak. If you don’t have deadbolts on exterior doors, install them. That includes the garage door as well.
5. Alarm System
Alarm systems are great to have for several reasons. First, they offer homeowners on vacation peace of mind, and they are a deterrent for thieves. Oftentimes, just placing a security sign in your front yard is enough to deter an amateur thief. If you don’t have an alarm system in your home, contact a local home security company and have one installed today to protect your family and your investments.
No matter what time of year, protecting your home while you’re away is important. Make sure you have good measures in place to keep criminals away. Your holiday plans with family are a lot more enjoyable when you know you’re safe.
