Unfortunately the season of giving sometimes becomes the season of taking as well. Holiday security around Dallas & Acworth GA – at home and around town, is important and it doesn’t hurt to have heightened awareness. So what can you do to protect your home, yourself and others? Here are some tips as well as tips for while for home security around Dallas & Acworth GA.
Holiday Security Tips
Consider a Security System
Statistics show that homes with security systems are a deterrent to criminals. And today you have several options from DIY self-installed systems that can be installed fairly quickly to professionally installed systems that offer countless additional services and monitoring services. Regardless of the system you install, you should make it clear that your home is secured by placing a sign near your front door. As with any other purchase, some things to consider when investing in a security system:
- Research the company. A fast talking salesperson alerting you to increased prices or scare tactics can be an indication of an unethical company. Check sources other than their website for testimonials and reviews.
- Carefully examine the contract for early-termination charges. Many companies offer the system for free as long as you sign up for a specific period of time of monthly maintenance. Early cancellation may leave you responsible for the cost of a very expensive system, even if it’s because you sold the home and moved.
- Advertising promises cannot be binding if they are not specifically spelled out in the contract. Check for inclusions and exclusions to ensure that what you have been promised is actually covered.
- Limited liability often refers to the alarm company’s responsibility if you suffer a break-in, regardless of negligence or failure of equipment or service, and what the reimbursement level is.
- Monitoring
Some basic DIY issues you should make sure to do:
- Have a deadbolt on all exterior doors. If you have more than one exterior door, you probably want to ensure that the deadbolts use the same key.
- Have a pet? Dogs barking are actually a deterrent to burglars and is why there are alarms sound like a dog barking.
- Turning a light on when you think someone is in the yard is a deterrent, and since you might not be home all the time, a motion sensor light can help you with this.
- The internet and smartphones have made home monitoring so much easier. You can install cameras to monitor your home online whether you are at work, or thousands of miles away. And today’s systems enable you turn lights off and on, and more.
Research has shown that neighborhoods where most home owners have installed security systems usually have fewer incidents of residential burglaries. And this might be why the Cedarcrest neighborhoods are the safest in our area according to Neighborhood Scout.
Watch What You Say
Are you really popular on Facebook, accepting friend requests from everyone? And sharing all of your personal information? It is amazing how many people accept friend requests from people they don’t even know. Imagine this scenario…
[message type=”custom” width=”100%” start_color=”#FFFCB5″ end_color=”#F4CBCB” border=”#BBBBBB” color=”#333333″]You won the holiday sales contest at work and the prize is two weeks all inclusive tickets to Hawaii. (cool, huh). Once you let your travel partner know, you announce the news on Facebook. And the congratulations, likes, and shares begin. Then the questions…when are leaving? How long will you be gone? Do you get it? You just let everyone know that your home will be empty for two weeks. [/message]
Vacation Tips
- Don’t announce on social media when you will be away – and this should be true of all members in your household.
- Use automatic timer for your lights, and if you want, for televisions, etc.
- Ask a neighbor to watch your home, shovel snow, and park in the driveway from time to time.
- Don’t forget to have mail and newspaper delivery stopped. If it piles up, it’s a sure sign you’re gone.
Holiday Decorations
For some reason, most homeowners open their window treatments at the holidays and place their Christmas tree and gifts in the front windows, for everyone to see – even potential burglars. Considering placement of your decorations and holiday presents is important to deter them. And after the holiday, don’t leave the empty boxes from large purchases like flat screen tvs, computers, etc. on your front lawn with the trash. Consider taking them to the Solid Waste Transfer Station & Recycling Center off of Seven Hills Blvd.
Also be alert when you return from shopping excursions with gifts. It’s best to empty the car after you are in the garage and the doors are closed so that no one sees your purchases. But if you cannot do this, make sure you weren’t followed home from the mall and that there is no one suspicious around the neighborhood.
Most of all, enjoy the holidays, just step up the awareness a bit.