Protect Your Home from Burglarsthis Holiday Season
If burglars think it will take more than four or five minutes to break into a home, they will move on, according to the Insurance Information Institute. With some simple steps—and common sense— you can help deter potential robbers from targeting your home.
Check for weak points
- Trim trees and bushes near doors and windows. While shrubbery and high fences add privacy, they also provide cover for burglars.
- Install motion sensor lights and exterior lighting that shines on potential hiding places in your yard.
- Be aware of what people outside can see inside your home. Decrease the visibility of your valuables such as paintings, televisions, computers or other expensive items.
Take simple security steps
- Secure your doors. Make sure outside doors and frames are strong and made of metal or thick hardwood. Installing a one-way viewer in your front door is safer for identifying visitors than a door chain. Sliding glass doors—one of the most common points of entry for robbers—can be reinforced with special locks or by placing wooden rods or metal bars in the tracks they slide on.
- Pay attention to your window and door locks. Replace old, worn-out locks with new, pick-resistant ones. Deadbolt locks are best for doors.
- Consider investing in a burglar alarm that alerts the police, fire department or other emergency services.
Prepare for holiday travel
- Make your home look inhabited while you’re away for the holidays by using timers to turn lights on and off. Arrange to have mail held at the post office and consider hiring a lawn service to maintain your yard if you will be gone for a long period of time.
- Avoid discussing holiday plans in public places, and never announce on social media that you are planning to be away. Avoid leaving detailed out-of-office messages at work and wait until you’re back home before sharing your holidays pictures online.
- Create a home inventory. In the event that you do need to file a claim, a thorough accounting of your possessions will make the process easier.