Festive Season Home Security Tips

With the holiday season fast approaching, we are left with many decisions and preparations to make before packing the trailers and make our way to our holiday destination. Ensuring the safety of family and property is a key priority at this time. Statistics clearly show that increases in criminal activity during the holiday season and it is therefore imperative for homeowners to take appropriate precautions and remain vigilant. There are several useful tips to consider that can help alleviate the risk to the family and property. The first and most important step to take is to ensure that your alarm is operating. People tend to forget that an alarm system, like a car, has parts that age and wear and therefore should be serviced at least once a year. Spectacular thunderstorms during the summer months, can also wreak havoc on alarm systems. As a result, customers should regularly review their systems in case of damage by lightning. Homeowners who have house insurance should also consider that in the case of theft, your insurance company, in all probability, the question of whether they have proper maintenance of your alarm. December is traditionally a busy period for security companies, so homeowners should try to test your alarm at least three weeks before going on holiday. Testing should be done anytime (ideally between 0800 and 2000 hours Monday to Friday) and if a fault is discovered, can be reported immediately to the technical team of security services provider. Additional safety tips to follow include: • Notify your security company if you go further and ensure that all necessary information regarding nearby emergency contacts in case of an emergency • Inform your neighbors of your travel plans so they can keep an eye on your property • Stop all newspaper deliveries and ask a friend or neighbor collect your mail. A mailbox lump is a real gift that is not home • If hiring a house sitter, make sure you teach them how to use your alarm correctly • Check you have locked and secured all windows and doors before leaving home • Make sure all exterior doors are a minimum of four lever locks or double safety locks cylinder • Never leave a key inside an exterior door that has glass panels or glass near the door lock • After you have installed security doors exterior doors is a highly effective security measure that gives an additional line of defense • Sliding doors can be secured simply by placing a piece of wood cut to size in the sliding rail. Make sure that sliding doors can not be lifted vertically • completely fenced and resistant doors are a good deterrent • Have good exterior lighting, preferably on a timer • Do not leave ladders, spades or tools outside, as they can be used to break into your house • Signage clearly indicating that you have security also helps to discourage Thieves Another important safety advice is to be discreet when preparing to leave. People should where possible pack their cars in his garage. Homeowners should never leave a message on his answering machine stating they are out of town. The holiday season should be a moment of relaxation and generous, but we will ensure that we are not taking our goods to the criminals on a golden platter.