Winter is a time of year many of us look forward to. Winters are a source of fun and excitement because they bring snow to play in, holidays to enjoy, and extra time off work and school. The cold weather is not everyone’s cup of tea, but winter offers a great excuse to escape to a warmer climate. Winter is also a time of year when burglars look forward to breaking into homes since their properties are more vulnerable in the winter. The good news is that smart home technology can help you protect your home from burglars with a little bit of information, planning, and knowledge.
Winter Burglaries: Why Are They So Common?
Household burglaries occur slightly more frequently in the summer than in the winter, according to studies. Despite that, burglaries still occur during the winter. The United States still experiences 1.4 million home burglaries yearly, so taking precautions year-round and following winter home security tips is important.
Some burglars may find winter more attractive than other times of the year for a variety of reasons, including:
- It is common for holiday travel to leave empty homes. Winter leaves many people away from their homes, leaving them vulnerable.
- The number of daylight hours decreases. No robber wants to be visible. Winter has fewer daylight hours than summer, so there is more time after sundown for criminal activity.
- There are more cars left unattended. In cold weather, it’s common to let your car warm up. However, an unattended, running car is an open invitation for criminal activity.
- Package home deliveries are at their highest. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, the winter months see more than 800 million packages delivered to homes. As a result, porch piracy increases.
Protect Your Home With These Winter Home Security Tips
Keep burglars at bay by not giving them a reason to want to break in
If you have blinds or curtains shielding your windows, then you are probably already protecting your home from potential burglars. However, they may be getting insight from your garbage, believe it or not. The phenomenon is especially evident during the winter holiday season when people receive multiple gifts. Do not leave boxes for high-value items like televisions or other electronic devices on the curb where prospective burglars can see them.
Lock windows and doors
A shocking 34% of burglars don’t truly break into homes; they merely enter through an unlocked front door. Unlocked windows are used by 22% of those who get in. Always keep your doors and windows locked to prevent burglars from entering your home. It is wise to install door and window sensors, which sound alarms when a window or door is opened.
The proper indoor and outdoor lighting can immensely enhance your home security
But homeowners often disregard them. Along with your festive holiday lights, think about adding the following:
- Smart lights. Even if you’re not home, smart lights will make it look like you are. The user can use the smartphone to control the lights inside and outside their homes anytime.
- Floodlights. Place these lights in darker or more wide-open areas. Large areas, such as your front and backyard, can be illuminated by them.
- Motion-activated lights. As soon as they detect movement, these lights turn on. Besides alerting you to movement on your property, it will also deter intruders.
Keeping an eye on who comes and goes is easy with a video doorbell camera
The most popular smart home device when it comes to protecting your home from burglars is the video doorbell camera. Most of them also let you answer your door via a smartphone app, regardless of whether you’re home. The doorbell cameras often have motion detection, so even if there’s no one at the door, they’ll start recording or send a notification to your phone if there’s movement. It’s even been shown that video doorbell cameras can reduce porch package theft, which surges in the winter.
Install a home security system
Investing in the best home security system in Virginia can provide you with a true sense of peace. Johns Brothers Security offers complete home security systems that include all the smart technology you need to protect your property. Among these devices are indoor and outdoor cameras, smart lighting, smart locks, and motion detectors to detect activity in your home, including door and window sensors that sound an alarm if tampered with. We also offer monitored security systems. We have a 24/7 monitoring center that contacts local authorities if burglar alarms sound inside the home.
Stay Safe With Johns Brothers Security
Whether you prefer to spend the winter months wrapped up indoors, having fun in the snow, or traveling to a warmer climate doesn’t matter. These winter home security tips will provide peace of mind that your home is secure.
Get a free consultation with our smart home experts in Virginia at 1-800-242-9760 to learn how Johns Brothers Security can keep your home safe and secure all year long!