With the COVID-19 pandemic still in full force, many people are probably thinking about changing their holiday travel plans to avoid risking being exposed to the virus or potentially carrying the virus to family members who may have compromised immune systems. While that might mean that people may not mean travelling by plane, cruise ship, or train, some are making alternate plans to drive to a location where small gatherings of friends and family can still meet to make the holidays festive.
In any event, thieves won’t be taking the holidays off, and they will be looking for signs that your home is unoccupied and unprotected.
Here are a few things you can do to thwart their efforts if you do plan to be away from home.
– Locks. This may sound unnecessary, but be sure all your windows and doors are locked before you leave. Nothing makes it simpler for criminals than to give them easy access to your home.
– Deliveries. Make sure you contact the post office to hold your mail deliveries, or have a neighbor grab the mail daily while you are away. Same if you get the newspaper delivered to your home.
– Landscaping. If it snows while you are away, ask a friend or neighbor to clear your driveway and sidewalks so it looks like you are home and taking care of business. If you travel during the warmer months, be sure to mow your lawn before you go and see if you can get someone to mow again for you at least once while you’re gone.
– Bins. Don’t put your trash or recycling bins out before you leave unless scheduled pickup is for that day or the next. Also, be sure to arrange to have someone bring the bins back up to where they are supposed to be after pickup.
A security system from Johns Brothers Security should also be part of your pre-vacation planning. Surveillance cameras can thwart would-be thieves just by being installed, but they can also record any activity that is out of the ordinary. Our monitoring service can also alert us if trouble is brewing, and we can contact the proper authorities to respond to the scene. A smart security system also provides you with remote access to things such as your lights and thermostat. You’ll be able activate different lights in your home at different times while you’re away to make it look like your home is occupied.