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Top 10 Home Security Tips for the Holidays
(and some great gift ideas highlighted in red)
  • Break down and use trash bags to dispose of boxes that could indicate what type of gift your
    home has either given or received.  This will reduce the risk of a criminal finding out what “new
    electronic items” might be inside your home from the holiday trash disposal.

  • Keep all gifts and packages out of view from your home’s doors and windows.  The goal here
    is to minimize the direct view that any “unauthorized” visitor may have when either at your doors or
    passing by your windows.  This usually can be achieved by simply using curtains and blinds, especially
    during the evening hours.

  • Use any type of automatic switch to turn lights on when not home.  Both the classic timer and
    newer daylight-sensing switches are great for automatically lighting your home when away at a holiday
    party or on vacation. Automatic timers are a great holiday gift idea.

  • Outdoor motion-detecting lights should be used to illuminate the exterior of your home’s
    entrances and perimeter area during the shorter days of the holiday season.  This not only
    helps illuminate your entrance when arriving home from a holiday gathering, but can also be used to
    help secure your property at night. Motion-detecting lights are also a great holiday gift idea.

  • Shred all documents that contain personal information.  The rapid increase in the rate of identity
    theft is very alarming, do not make it any easier for criminals to gather your personal information
    through your holiday trash disposal.  We recommend, at minimum, a cross-cut shredder for your
    personal documents.  Shredders are yet another great holiday gift idea!

  • Keep all doors and windows shut and locked when not supervised.  Criminals look for the
    easiest way in, so don’t make it easy for them.

  • Plan holiday package deliveries to arrive when someone is at home to receive the package
    or address the packages to be delivered to your place of work.  With the increase of online
    shopping during the holiday season, minimize any packages setting outside your home’s doorway that
    could draw attention to your home and tempt criminals.

  • Place smoke detectors, heat sensors, and carbon monoxide detectors in rooms with holiday
    decorations and lighting.  The increased use of candles, fireplaces and decorative items during the
    holiday season can significantly increase the risk of a home fire.  Remember to also make sure that all
    of your home’s detectors have fresh batteries.  Smoke and/or Carbon Monoxide detectors are another
    great holiday gift idea!

  • While away from the home for an extended period; remember to remove outdoor hidden
    keys, have the mail and newspapers held, and put your lights on a timer.  You could also have
    neighbors help to make your home looked “lived in” by placing trash out, parking occasionally in your
    driveway, and making tire tracks on any snow-covered driveways.

  • Always be aware of your surroundings and contact authorities if any unknown strangers
    enter your neighborhood, act suspicious, or behave in an abnormal pattern.  Keep in mind that
    charitable organizations are fairly active during the holidays; however, authorized members will be able
    to show proper identification.  Also be aware of your immediate surroundings when entering the home
    by “keeping an eye” on areas around your shrubs, trees, parked cars, and any place that a criminal
    could hide while you unlock or open doors.

BONUS TIP (you know we had to include at least one tip about owning a home security system)

  • Consider a professionally installed alarm system.  An alarm system can provide you with an
    increased level of security at night, while on vacation, and whenever returning to an empty home.  The
    system will put you in control of knowing whether an unauthorized person is trying to enter the home or
    has already entered and informs you to stay out and call authorities if the system is not already
    monitored.  Did you know that today’s alarm systems are not only more reliable with pet-immune motion
    sensors and easier to use with key fob remote control convenience, but also the new systems can be
    either designed to have 24-hour UL approved monitoring or a simple communication device
    programmed to call up to four of your predetermined phone numbers.  We also recommend checking
    with several security installation companies before purchasing a system, so you can properly decide
    what level of security is needed and not get “trapped into” long-term contracts that require you to pay
    monthly fees even when the system is not used.  There are many companies “out there” to choose
    from; so check references, choose an established company, and ask questions.
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Electro Alarms
Company Inc.
Home Alarms | Small Business Security Systems | Video Surveillance
The Ohio Security System Experts.