According to the FBI, about 400,000 burglaries occur in the U.S. during the months of November and December each year. Items that thieves traditionally look for are things that can be easily sold, such as tools, bicycles, cameras, and expensive items such as furs and jewelry.
Fox News Traveler spoke with security expert and CEO of Armored Concepts Alan Young about how to protect your home and yourself, especially during the holidays.
1. Don’t make your home a target:
Make sure you and your kids don’t post anywhere online, either on message boards or social media sites, when or where you are going on vacation. Also, don’t post photos until you get home. You may think your friends on Facebook are really your friends, but friends of friends might be able to see your profile. Young says many burglaries are actually committed by people that know someone you know.
2. Make your home less attractive for burglars:
Increase outdoor lighting and put your lights on a timer so the home will not appear to be empty while you’re on vacation. Trim the trees and shrubs around the exterior.
3. Secure the exterior openings of your home:
Upgrade your locks to grade one locks, which have a stronger bolt. Add locks to your windows and sliding glass doors if they don’t already have them.
4. Be aware of your surroundings when shopping and traveling:
Secure all your possessions, not just those in your home. If you’re visiting a city that is new to you, ask the hotel where you should and shouldn’t walk before venturing out. Keep your wallet and money in your front pockets. If using a purse, hold it close to your body at all times.
It’s a shame that there are so many more burglaries during the holidays, but I’ve been looking into home alarm systems to keep my home secure at least.
I know that this was posted in the run up to Christmas, but I think that it’s still equally relevant now, with plenty of people still housing gifts for family members who live far away, as well as all of the new presents that have already been opened at home. Best to keep your home security a little tighter for the next month or so.