Five Ways to Fool Burglars While You’re Away for the Holidays

We’re heading into the holiday weekend, which may have many of us feeling very merry. However, for any would-be burglars out there, the upcoming holiday may seem like the perfect opportunity to get their Grinchy ways in gear. After all, homes are typically filled with a little more gifts and goodies during this festive time.

If you are not planning to be ho-ho-home during the upcoming holiday weekend, it is a good idea to take special precautions to protect your property and your valuables. Here are five tips to help you trick potential burglars who could be looking to tackle your home over the holidays:

1. Strategically leave some lights on.

When you’re leaving your home for a few days, it always seems like a good idea to leave a few lights on. This is particularly true during the holiday season. But, you don’t want to just set a few timers on lights by your windows. Anyone who could be scoping out your home may notice a pattern and realize that no one is home. Instead, set a few lights near windows on timers, but also turn on a few interior lights or lamps.

2. Ask a friend or neighbor to check on your house periodically.

If you have a trustworthy neighbor or friend who will be home for the holidays, have them check in on your house. They can turn on various lights or even set the timer on a TV to make your home seem occupied. Seeing someone regularly go in and out of your home can deter any suspicious individuals from lurking nearby.

3. Stop your mail for a few days or have someone pick it up routinely.

If you’re already enlisting the help of a friend or neighbor to check on your home, ask if they can bring in your mail and any packages that may be arriving. Packages left outside for days can be a great signal that no one is around. So, either have a friend pick up your mail or hold it at the post office until your return from your holiday travels.

4. Keep your driveway and sidewalks clear.

For this tip, you may not only need to enlist the help of a friend or neighbor, but you may need to hire some local help. Even when you’re away, you’ll want to keep your driveway and sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Before you leave, contact an area teen or snow-removal company that can keep up with your curb appeal while you’re gone. If you can avoid it, you also won’t want to leave a vehicle parked in your driveway for an extended period of time. You may think it is a sign that someone is home, but a burglar could see the parked car as a signal that no one has come or gone from your home in a while!

5. Don’t be too social about your holiday travel plans.

“Can’t wait to be home for the holidays.” #hometown #holidaytrip #keepyourholidayplanstoyourself You may think you’re only sharing your holiday plans with your Facebook friends and Twitter followers, who are your close friends, but that is just not the case. Even if your social media sites are relatively private, you never can be too sure whose account could get hacked or who may be peering over a friend’s shoulder while they’re scrolling through their newsfeed. Want to tell someone you’ll be back in your hometown for the holidays? Go the old-fashioned route and call them!

Don’t let a Grinch steal your holiday cheer — or your valuables — this season. Instead, take a few precautions to keep your home safe and be on your merry way to a wonderful holiday season!