A combination of Christmas outings, winter vacations and short days can make your home a target for thieves.
I should know it happened to me a few years ago and it was three days before Christmas.
We were out in Winkler at Christmas concert when I got the news.
Luckily I had friends that were arriving at my place to stay the night & they had keys.
The snow on the floor hadn't melted yet, we figure my guests spooked them. It was along drive back to Winnipeg to assess the damage.
Here are five simple things you can do,so this doesn't happen to you:
1. Don't advertise or boast on social media about your upcoming party,or travel plans & do not post photos while on your vacation. You maybe excited about your party or vacation, be aware of those looking for opportunity.
2. If your leaving the house during the day, coming home at night, leave a light in different rooms, it will look like some one is home.
3. Invest in light timers. They are reasonably priced & easy to use. Very handy for extended time away from home, whether it is for a weekend or several days. Again, use them in different rooms of the house, and set them to turn off and on at various times, just as if someone was home. Use them on your T.V. as well.
4..If you can leave a vehicle in the driveway. If you have two vehicles leave one outside, again giving the perception of someone is home.
5. If you are going to be away for an extended time, get a friend, family member or neighbor to keep an eye on you home. Pick up any mail that has come, go into the house and make sure nothing has happened (busted pipe, leaking hot water tank). Also, if it has snowed while you were away, seeing tracks up and down the drive will make it look as if someone is there.
I hope this helps and gives you a few more tools to help you keep your home safe over the holidays.
If you can think of anymore, email them to me.
Have a very Happy Holiday Season.
