The busy holiday season is here, which means many of us are spending more time traveling than at home. Houses of all sizes that are left vacant during the holiday season are a target for home invaders. R.J. Lock & Security has quick reminders for how to secure your home while you’re traveling or away from home for holiday celebrations.
What Should I Do to Secure My Home for the Holidays?
- Get a Locksmith Consultation: R.J. Lock & Security can check the age and vulnerability of your locks to assess if they need to be replaced. Contact our team or call us at 410-213-8477.
- Install a Security System: A home security system truly is the best way to protect your home. Check your homeowner’s insurance for a possible discount on home security systems, or purchase one that connects to your phone.
How can I make my home look occupied while I’m on vacation or away for the holidays?
- Set your Lights on a Timer: Set a few of your indoor lights on a timer, or install smart bulbs that you can program with your phone so you can turn your lights on and off to make your home appear occupied.
- Install Motion Sensors on Outdoor Lights: Flood an intruder with lights and scare them off while they approach the house.
- Leave Your Radio On: This may seem old-school, but leaving a radio tuned into an all-talk station on while you’re away may scare a burglar off by making them believe that someone is home.
- Stop the Mail and Newspaper: Either stop these deliveries for the time that you will be gone or ask someone to pick them up daily so they don’t start to pile up, making it obvious that no one is home.
- Arrange to Have Snow Cleared: In the event that snow is on the radar, arrange for someone to come and clear your sidewalk and driveway.
How do I secure my doors and windows before leaving?
- Lock Doors and Windows: Be sure that all of your doors and windows are locked when you leave your home. Start checking your locks leading up to your trip, so that if one is broken you have time to contact R.J. Lock & Security for assistance.
- Don’t Hide a Key: While you may keep an extra house key hidden outdoors, get rid of it while you’re away! In the event that someone does need to access your home while you’re away, consider purchasing a smart lock and assigning a unique PIN code to each user.
- Lock the Garage: Oftentimes, people forget about the garage. Turn off the automatic garage door openers, and use a clamp or a padlock inside so the door cannot be opened.
What can I do about my valuables while I’m away?
- Hide or Secure Valuables in a Safe: R.J. Lock & Security sells safes, which you can purchase to have available before you leave for a holiday trip.
- Shut Down Social: Burglars can be people that you know or are connected with online. Hold off on posting until you return to reduce the risk of a break-in.
For a home security consultation, replacement locks, or home security systems, contact R.J. Lock & Security at 410-213-8477