Fatten Up Home Security for Thanksgiving
Whether you’re traveling to eat your Thanksgiving meal or staying home and inviting guests in, whether you’re shopping early or braving crowds, this food-filled holiday involves distractions galore. Don’t let thieves get the best of you during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. Boost home security so your whole family stays safe.
Put Lights on Timers
Use smart bulbs, smart plugs, timers, and convenient apps to illuminate your home. Get settings ready before you go away and confirm they work as scheduled, so you don’t have to worry about lights on Turkey Day while you’re away. Put decorations on timers too, especially blow-up turkeys in the front yard or trees inside.
Get a Video Doorbell
A video doorbell typically comes with a minimum of two cameras and delivers snippets of activity on a trusty app. It’s worth the minor cost to deliver this extra home security to front and back doors and any windows, especially if professional surveillance is more than you need.
Notify a Neighbor
Most people have at least one neighbor they trust with their whereabouts when out of town. Let them know you won’t be home and ask them to keep an eye on your place. They can check indoor and outdoor lights, look for suspicious happenings, or park in your driveway. Give them your spare key – don’t leave it under the mat.
Be Discreet
If you’re starting holiday shopping on Black Friday and continuing throughout the weekend, stash purchases discreetly. Drive into the garage, if you have one, before you unload your loot. Or bring goodies into the house after dark. It’s best if people who are keeping an eye on your house are unaware of what’s inside.
Schedule the Mail
It’s easy to put a hold on mail while away. The last thing you want are important documents sitting dormant in the mailbox or a pile of mail signifying you’re not home. Ask that reliable neighbor to pick up mail and unexpected packages that might land on your porch or driveway.
Manage Distractions
As people come and go from your home, atypical doors and windows may be opened because someone doesn’t like the temperature or lets the dog out. Don’t assume that whoever opens these entries into your house will also close them. Check your home for tempting ways to get inside and make use of your security system’s app alerts about compromised areas.
Skip Social Media
If you’re an online sharer, wait until you get home to post holiday photos so no one recognizes you’re away. Turn off location services and keep mum about travel plans so locale isn’t available to thieves scouring Facebook and its friends.
Prioritize Security
It doesn’t matter how long you’ll be away from home – a few hours or a few days – it’s always a good idea to have security measures in place to keep family, pets, house, and possessions safe. Not everyone can hire private security guards for their home, party, or holiday gatherings, but if you need this level of security for any location, contact Korner Security for a customized plan.