During the Christmas season, you surely don’t want to deal with any situation like Kevin McCallister faced in “Home Alone.” While it’s highly unlikely you’ll accidentally leave a kid at home who must secure it from two con men, you still want to employ some tactics to ensure safety this holiday.
Here are some tips for keeping your home secure this Christmas, and these are a bit more practical than attaching an iron to a lightbulb pull-string.
1. Don’t Tell the Internet Your Travel Plans
The No. 1 mistake people make if traveling during the holidays is putting travel plans on social media. Although you may want to let everyone know you’re going to be spending Christmas at the beach, the information can spread to unwanted visitors. You don’t want to come home to a robbed house.
Even if you keep your social media pages private and secure, people still find a way to access that information. Have a trusted friend or neighbor watch your house if you travel. Be sure to keep your plans to yourself, and make sure you follow COVID travel rules so you can stay safe and healthy.
2. Inspect Your Christmas Lights
A leading cause of house fires around Christmastime is faulty lights. Before stringing your holiday lights both inside and outside your home, check the wires and bulbs. Replace anything that’s broken and throw away any wires that have frays in them.
Additionally, turn off your lights for bedtime and if you won’t be home for a few hours.
3. Lock Your Doors
This should be a rule for any time of the year, but break-ins increase during the holiday season, so be extra cautious about locking your doors. Deadbolt locks are better for preventing break-ins than just a regular door lock.
Even if you live in a safe neighborhood, you never know when something might happen. In addition to locking your doors, make it look like someone is home at all times to ward off intruders.
4. Check Smoke Alarms
A fire, some candles and the lights on your Christmas tree make it a cozy time of the year. However, if the flames are near any dry material, things could turn deadly fast.
Ensure all your smoke alarms work. If needed, replace the batteries.
5. Stow Packages and Gifts
Make sure you hide any packages or gifts that come to your doorstep. Since it is the season of giving, you’re likely purchasing items online, or people send gifts to your doorstep. Thieves have an easier time grabbing things off your porch around Christmastime because there is more to take. The holidays are a prime time for stolen packages.
To prevent anything from being stolen or to catch the thief, install a security camera on your door. Additionally, you can leave special instructions to the delivery person so they can place the package in a more hidden area.
Have a Safe and Merry Christmas, Ya Filthy Animal!
Although Kevin did a great job at protecting his home during the holidays, you can take preventive measures to keep your home secure in more practical ways.
Be safe. Be cautious. Be merry.
Author bio: Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated, where she offers advice on home renovation, maintenance, and organization.
