Holiday Series: Lockdown Before Travel

Believe it or not, the holidays are quickly approaching. Burglaries spike during the holiday season and we want to ensure that you are as prepared as possible for crimes that might occur to your home, yard, or belongings. According to The United States Bureau of Transportation, the days leading up to Thanksgiving until Christmas/New Year’s holiday periods are some of the busiest travel periods of the year. In fact, “during the 6-day Thanksgiving travel period, the number of long-distance trips (to and from a ­destination 50 miles or more away) increases by 54 percent.”¹

With that in mind, there are a few precautionary recommendations when it comes to protecting your home, yard, and your belongings when traveling. You must lock down your home before leaving to travel and here are a few things to consider:

1. Keep doors locked

At all times. It seems self explanatory, but you might be surprised how often this is neglected because of negligence. This includes your shed, garages, tool boxes, anything possible that's visible and could entice criminals. Keeping the doors locked and secure is essential to protecting your home, yard, and your belongings while you’re away travelling.

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2. Turn your lights on

Faking a human presence is easy and essential. Keep lamps on that would be visible from the street. Maybe even considering leaving music running in the background or something that deflects criminals from thinking that no one is home.

3. Lock windows

Although you might think these are usually locked, it would be beneficial to double check to make sure that all of your windows are locked and secured. Windows provide an easy entry way into your home and belongings, in which criminals would definitely check before entering.  

4. Take out the trash

Make sure you take out the trash before you leave town to travel for the holidays. Criminals will look in your trash/recycle to see what items you’ve recently purchased and see if anything is worth intruding for. Don’t let this simple step slide!

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These simple four steps will help protect your home, yard, and your belongings from potential crime while you’re out and traveling for the holiday season. Take these as precautionary measures and lock up before travel.

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REFERENCES

¹ Bureau of Transportation -- U.S. Holiday Travel