The holiday season is here. While your home is filled with warmth, family, and festive decorations, you are also planning trips to see relatives and ordering gifts online. Unfortunately, someone else is also making plans: burglars.
The holidays are a prime time for residential break-ins. This is because our schedules are chaotic and our homes are full of expensive new items. Moreover, we often advertise our plans to the world. Thieves know this. In fact, they know exactly how burglars target homes, especially during this season.
Protecting your home is not about fear. Instead, it’s about being smart. Understanding a burglar’s mindset is the first step. Therefore, here is how thieves target homes during the holidays and how you can stop them.
The ‘Empty House’ Social Media Post
When you are excited about your trip, it’s tempting to post a selfie from the airport. “Off to Hawaii for 10 days!” However, you have just given a green light to every thief who can see your profile. This is the number one way how burglars target homes in the modern age.
Never, ever post about your vacation plans in real time. Wait until you are back home to share those wonderful photos. Additionally, check your social media privacy settings. Ensure that only trusted friends and family can see your posts. Bragging about your trip can cost you everything.
That Pile of ‘Gift Boxes’ on Your Curb
You had a wonderful holiday morning. Now, your recycling bin is overflowing. Perhaps you have a large box for a new 70-inch TV. You might also have boxes for a laptop, a game console, and a new tablet. Then, you stack them neatly on the curb for trash day.
In doing so, you just advertised your exact inventory to every person driving by. Burglars “shop” by scanning your trash, because they know you have new, valuable, and easy-to-sell items. Instead, break down every box. Turn them inside out. Or, even better, take them directly to a recycling center yourself.
Why Your Dark House Is a Welcome Sign
A house that is completely dark, night after night, is a clear signal. Specifically, it screams, “No one is home!” Burglars look for the path of least resistance. Consequently, a dark, quiet home is the perfect target. You need to create the illusion of occupancy.
This is where smart-home technology is your best friend. For instance, use timers for your lights. Set them to turn on and off in different rooms at different times. You can also have a radio or TV turn on for a few hours in the evening. A simple light timer is one of the cheapest and most effective deterrents you can buy.
The Unchecked Mailbox and Piling Packages
Nothing says “we are gone” like a mountain of packages on the porch. Likewise, an overflowing mailbox is just as bad. This is a physical sign that nobody has been home for days. Unfortunately, this is exactly how burglars target homes for a long-term vacancy.
If you are traveling, have a trusted neighbor pick up your mail. Ask them to grab any packages or newspapers. You can also place a temporary hold on your mail with the post office. For deliveries, require a signature or have them sent to a secure locker.
‘Opportunity Knocks’: The Unlocked Door or Window
We often imagine burglars as master criminals. For example, we think they are picking locks or disabling complex alarms. However, the truth is much simpler. Most burglars are opportunists. In reality, they get in through an unlocked door or an open window.
They are counting on your holiday haste. You are rushing out to a party. You forget to lock the back door. You leave a window cracked. Therefore, always do a final check. Lock your doors. Secure your windows. Make sure your garage door is closed. These simple habits are your strongest defense.
A Secure Holiday Is a Happy Holiday
Your home is your sanctuary. Protecting it during the holidays just takes a little extra awareness. By understanding how burglars target homes, you can easily outsmart them. After all, you are not just protecting your new gifts. You are protecting your peace of mind.
Be present. Be private. And be prepared. Ultimately, a few simple precautions can ensure your holiday season remains merry, bright, and, most importantly, secure. That is a gift everyone deserves.
What’s your top tip for keeping your home safe during the holidays? Share it in the comments.
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The post Tis the Season for Thieves: How Burglars Target Homes During the Holidays appeared first on Budget and the Bees.
