Remember, these tips are just that tips. Unless you have around the clock armed guards, a Fort Knox approved security system installed, motion tracking .50 caliber machine guns or a killer Chihuahua named Pedro roaming the perimeter of your home then there are no guarantees.
- DELIVERY: Depending on where you live, this might be tough but if you think you might have prying eyes when you come home with that new flat panel, laptop computer or Playstation 3, try to either pick it up closer to Christmas or bring it in later in the night. This might be best if you are trying to hide it from the kids too. If applicable, have it pre-wrapped to keep everyone guessing. A 50-inch flat panel box is hard to pass off as that new silver platter that you have been wanting.
- PRESENTS BY THE TREE: Everyone loves to put his or her Christmas tree near an open window or glass door. This is fine but wait closer to Christmas to put your presents out around the tree. If you do not, everyone and their brother can window shop as they walk or drive by. A bunch of boxes wrapped or unwrapped will cause even a little bit of curiosity.
- SOLITORS: Be careful of strangers wanting to sell you something. As they stand in your doorway, they start guessing what Christmas gift is theirs. This is commonsense any way but be careful out there; lots of meanness going on. The image provided by the Washington post has an article on the Anatomy of a Burglary. A note from the article states that a typical house burglar is a male teenager who lives within a couple of miles of your home.
- DOORS & WINDOWS: Check all of your entryways (windows and doors) into your home, 60% of break-ins happen during the day. Secure those sliding glass doors with a lock and a dowel in the door track. Trim back your bushes and trees; make it difficult for anyone to hide in your bushes and scrubs. DO NOT store that spare key in the potted plant next to the front door or under that nice doormat that says, “Welcome come take everything that I own.”
- GARAGE DOORS: If you have an external garage remote that uses key codes, make sure you, first, change the code from the default and second, make the code unique to you. Even a kindergartener can count 1 2 3 4 or some arrangement like that. Either have it locked or connected to the opener; much harder to pry open this way.
- TRAVEL: Many people leave town for the holidays. They also typically leave some presents behind. Purchase some timers for your external and internal lights. You can really confuse them by offsetting the internal lights to come on and off at certain times. Oh..if your TV has this feature you could have it come on with the volume turned up to a moderate level then turn off later. The US Postal Service will hold your mail if you ask them to. You can do it online and it is very easy to setup the start and stop time for the mail. If you receive the newspaper make sure you ask them to hold it.
- SECURITY SYSTEM: If you have a security system, USE IT. That is why you purchased it. Arm it even if you are just going out for a jog or a 5-minute errand.
- CHRISTMAS IS OVER: Once the holidays are over and you begin to take that 50 inch Flat Panel screen bo to the end of the drive along with the new Nintendo Wii box stop and scream to the top of your lungs, come look what I got. No! Tear the boxes down, fold them up, and put them in trash bags.
- MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Have a safe holiday season.