Have a Merrier Holiday Season by Avoiding These Security Mistakes

After you've pulled out your holiday decorations and started to enjoy seasonal festivities with your family, dealing with a home burglary might be the last thing on your mind. Unfortunately, studies have shown that 1 in 36 homes in the U.S. is burglarized in the United States every year, which means someone in your neighborhood might be left dealing with a serious loss.

Here are a few security mistakes you should avoid this holiday season, so you can focus on what's really important — time with your family.

1. Displaying Your Tree in the Front Window

Christmas trees can add a beautiful touch of sparkle to your home during the holidays, which is why you might be tempted to move that tree to a front-facing window and open or raise your blinds day and night to show it off. Unfortunately, giving the world easy visible access to your tree might also help thieves to case your property easily.

Since most people stash presents under their trees weeks before the big day, thieves can quickly gauge the gift load in your home, making it easier to determine whether breaking into your home is worth the effort.

Additionally, when your blinds are open, would-be robbers can also quickly and easily determine if there is movement elsewhere throughout your home, helping them to determine when the ideal time would be to rob your place.

To prevent this common security risk, only display trees in rooms where you don't have valuables and where you aren't storing gifts. Try to find spots that don't give thieves an easy look into your home. For instance, instead of displaying your tree in your downstairs living room, consider setting up a lit tree in the office on the second story.

2. Failure to Arm Your Security System to Accommodate Visitors

When you have guests in town for the holidays, you might work hard to make sure their stay is as comfortable and convenient as possible. Since triggering your home security alarm might be embarrassing or even frightening to visitors, you might be tempted to skip the practice during their stay.

However, not using your system during the weeks before and after the holiday could increase your personal level of risk. Always alarm your home like you normally would, and try to improve security during the hours of 10am and 3pm, when burglaries are most common.

Consider making a schedule for your guests so they know when the alarms will be set, and teach your visitors how to arm your system in case they need to leave during the day when you may be away at work.

3. Throwing Away Boxes, Packaging, and Receipts

Did you know that once you throw something away in the trash, you are relinquishing your ownership of that item? If thieves wanted to, they could rifle through your garbage outside at any time, especially once your cans have hit the curb, without fear of legal consequences.

Although most people don't worry too much about what they decide to keep and toss, trash may be a powerful source of information for criminals during the holidays, especially since you might be tossing store receipts, packaging, and product boxes — giving valuable insights as to what might be stored indoors.

With a single look inside of your trashcan, criminals might discover your love of buying high-end stilettos for your wife or your recent gaming system purchase for your son. However, by monitoring your trash output and destroying packaging before it hits your bin, you can keep your purchases private.

Hang onto packaging, boxes, and receipts until after the holidays are over. And, if you need to throw away a box for a valuable item, destroy it before putting it into the garbage.

Add an additional layer of security to your home by working with us here at Phoenix Access Control . From access control and key card systems for businesses to cameras, alarms, and locksmith services for homeowners, we can make any establishment a lot safer. Contact our office today to learn more.