Theft and burglaries spike around this time of year. Here is how you can protect your home and community to avoid this holiday buzzkill.
How to Secure Your Home for the Holidays
Hide the Presents
Avoid placing gifts or valuables in locations that are viewable from the outside of your home or unit. This includes: wrapped or unwrapped gifts, purses, wallets, laptops, keys, credit cards, cash, jewelry, etc.
Avoid Oversharing Travel Plans
Reconsider posting your travel plans on social media. Unfortunately, sometimes it is a Facebook “friend” that is the thief. Most robberies happen during the day when people are not home, so keep this in mind when you post your local holiday whereabouts, and consider waiting until you return home before you post.
Stop Mail and Package Accumulation
When away for the holidays or away for the winter season: have a trusted friend or family member check on your home or bring in any packages or mail. Also, stop your mail if you will be away for an extended period of time. Homes with packages and mail left by the front porch or stoop can signal that nobody has been home.
Follow Guest Protocol in Your Community Association
If you live in a gated community: Do not allow friends, family, or vendors to get past the guardhouse without the proper guest protocol. While this is convenient and easier for guests, it undercuts the security measures that are in place in the community, and can eventually lead to loose security if multiple households permit this.
Do not let friends or family bypass guest pass policies in guest rooms, clubhouses, or common areas, as this also undercuts the security measures in place in your community association.
Stay Alert and Informed in Your Community
Report any suspicious behavior to the police and to your property manager so that appropriate safety measures can be taken. This way, your manager can help to alert other community members if needed. Additionally, pay attention to the news for any local spikes in burglary in your neighborhood.
How and Where to Stay Informed and Prepared:
Boost Your Home and Community Security
If applicable or permissible, invest in a camera, ring doorbell, and sensor light. Alarms are also a good deterrent as they can startle any intruders. If you already have an alarm system in your home, remember to turn it on at night and when you leave your home. Additionally, make sure that the volume on the alarm is on a loud setting so that you are alerted in the middle of the night should it go off when you are sleeping.
It is easy to get a false sense of security at home. That being said, do not leave any exterior doors, in the front, side, or back of your home unlocked when you are not home. Additionally, get into the habit of locking them at night.
Secure Your Car
Don’t forget to lock your car at night, and do not leave valuables in your car unattended, even if the car is locked.
Do Not Let Strangers into the Building or Community
It is neighborly and courteous to hold the door open for others. However, do not hold or prop any exterior doors open in your building for anyone. Additionally, do not use your key fob (if applicable) to let a stranger into the building.
Volunteer Security Measures
Create a security committee in your Cooperative, Condominium, or Homeowner’s Association. This will help to increase a sense of community and security.
Avoid Scams
Beware of scams from suspicious or fake service providers. For example, ask for credentials from the cable representative, and do not let vendors into your apartment unless you are expecting one. Additionally, check for officially marked vehicles, badges, apparel, etc.
Get to Know Your Community’s Staff
If your community has a security company or guard on the premises, get to know who they are. Not only will it make you a more informed owner, but it will also help you to get in contact with them in the event of an incident. Plus, it will help to build a stronger sense of community. The same advice applies to your superintendent, property manager, or porter since they can also help to detect suspicious behavior.
Don’t Let Your Guard Down This Holiday Season
The holidays should be a time of joy, not fear and regret. These tips can help you prevent theft in your community anytime, especially during this time of year. Don’t let a security guard, foreman, gatehouse, etc. give you a false sense of security in your community. Take actions of your own to help ensure safety and security in your home.
