The holiday season is a time for celebration, but it can also bring unique security challenges. From package theft to break-ins while you’re away, protecting your home and property is critical. Here are nine essential ways to ensure your home stays safe this holiday season.
1. Deter Holiday Package Theft
With online shopping at its peak, package theft is a common problem. Schedule deliveries for times when you will be at home, use a secure delivery locker, or request signature-only delivery. Installing a video doorbell can also deter thieves and capture footage if a package goes missing.
2. Make Your Home Look Occupied
If you are traveling over the holidays, make your home appear lived in. Use timers for interior lights, ask a neighbor to park their car in your driveway, and pause mail delivery or have a Home Watch service collect it.
3. Secure All Entry Points
Double-check that doors and windows are locked before leaving home. Install deadbolts, reinforce sliding glass doors with rods, and ensure your garage doors are secured.
4. Use Smart Home Technology
Smart locks, security cameras, and motion-activated lights can provide additional layers of security. These devices allow you to monitor your property remotely and alert you to unusual or suspicious activity.
5. Protect Your Home Against Holiday Decorating Hazards
Holiday lights and decorations can pose fire and electrical risks. Inspect string lights for damage, avoid overloading outlets, and keep flammable items away from heat sources. Extinguish candles when you leave the room and if you’re using a live tree, water it daily to prevent it from becoming a fire hazard.
6. Maintain Your Property to Deter Crime
A well-maintained exterior can discourage burglars. Trim shrubs around windows, keep pathways well lit, and clear driveways and sidewalks of snow, or have someone like your Home Watch service arrange for snow removal if you are away.
7. Avoid Oversharing on Social Media
Resist the urge to post your travel plans or real-time updates about your vacation. Criminals often monitor social media to identify empty homes.
8. Conduct a Home Security Checklist Before Traveling
Before you leave home for your trip, walk through it and check all windows, doors, and appliances. Unplug unnecessary electronics to avoid fire risks, set your thermostat to prevent frozen pipes, and ensure your alarm system is functioning properly.
9. Use a Home Watch Service for Added Peace of Mind
A professional Home Watch service like Golden Rule Home Watch & Concierge can regularly check your property for issues like break-ins, weather damage, or maintenance emergencies. They can also collect packages, forward mail, water plants, and ensure that everything is in order while you’re away.
Your holidays should be a time of joy, not worry. Implement these tips to keep your home and property safe so you can focus on what matters most this season.
Trust Golden Rule Home Watch to Keep Your Home Safe this Holiday Season
When you travel for the holidays, your home can be vulnerable to break-ins, package theft, and winter weather damage. Golden Rule Home Watch & Concierge offers you peace of mind by providing professional, reliable property monitoring services throughout Northern Virginia.
We go beyond basic security measures. Our trained professionals perform thorough inspections using our proprietary checklist to identify issues such as unlocked windows, signs of tampering, or water leaks. We can also provide concierge services such as managing your package deliveries and ensuring that your home looks lived-in.
Choosing Golden Rule Home Watch means partnering with a team that values trust and transparency. Our consistent communication keeps you informed of your property’s status after each visit, and our “Golden Rule” policy ensures that your home is treated with the same care as our own.
To learn more about our Home Watch services to keep your home safe this holiday season, contact us at 855-928-2424.
Golden Rule Home Watch & Concierge is an accredited member of the National Home Watch Association.