Protect Your Home from Holiday Rip-Offs
EINSURANCE.comTMWhen you look at your festive home all decked out with lights and presents ‘neath the tree, you think happy holidays. Thieves think “opportunity.” The holidays are a favor time for burglars. They know your home is loaded with goodies. They also know when you’ll be sleeping, distracted or away. Don’t become a free shopping center for these Bad Santas. Protect your home and possessions from holiday home thefts, and avoid costly claims on your homeowner’s insurance with these holiday rip-off prevention tips.
Here’s a little sad math to illustrate how vulnerable you are. According to the FBI, every 14 seconds a burglary happens in America. 12% come in through unlocked doors; 34% come in through the front door; 60% of burglaries happen during the day; 85% are successful; and 88% are never caught! Even worse, the typical thief is a teenage male who lives less than a mile from your front door. He or she may have even visited your home as a guest, cased the joint and left a bathroom window open to skinny through next time you’re out.
Fight back, people! Do a little preventive holiday home security. ALWAYS lock all doors and windows, even if you’re just go out to walk the dog or empty the trash. A thief can be in and out of your home in under 10 minutes. If you have an alarm, activate it whenever you step out. If you don’t have an alarm, get one. Bonus: you’ll qualify for a homeowners insurance discount.
Going for the day or longer? Let your neighbors know. Ask them to pick up your mail, newspapers and packages. Encourage them to report ANY suspicious activity.
Create the allusion that you’re home. Get a timer that turns lights on and off randomly. Install motion-activated lights outdoors. Leave a radio on. And don’t leave the curtains open displaying all the tempting gifts and goodies you own. Install window coverings on all glass doors and windows, including those in your garage.
If you are home, answer the door bell. You don’t have to open the door to strangers, just let them know you’re in and busy. Opportunistic thieves will go elsewhere looking for an empty house.
Find a better hiding place for your spare key than under a doormat or a rock. The best place to keep it is at a trusted neighbor’s house.
Get a dog, preferably a small, yappy one who’ll keep barking until the potential intruder goes away.
Being burglarized does not immunize you. In fact, you’re six times more likely to be hit again. If you are burglarized, consider it a wake-up call to step up the home security. Install deadbolts, window locks and other security devices to protect you from future thefts.
