7 Ways to Keep Out Christmas Crooks

Always Lock Up. According to the FBI 28% of burglars don’t use forced entry to access a home – they simply walk through the door or climb through a window. Ensure your locks are in working condition and are being locked – even when you’re home!

Strengthen Your Doors. Department of Justice statistics show that 73% of forcible entries involve damage to the door. Do everything you can to give your door a fighting chance, install a strong deadbolt that's at least 1 inch long. You can also add a solid-brass strike plate secured with 3-inch screws that go all the way into the studs.

Advertise Your Alarm. Whether you pay for monthly alarm monitoring or you have a self-monitored alarm solution, invest in a sign for your front yard and stickers for your windows to alert potential burglars that your home is protected. These can be purchased inexpensively at your local hardware store. Remember, the end goal is to make your home look harder to get into than your neighbor’s.

Don’t Facebook Your Travels. No matter how excited you are to go on holiday, visit your family or have an all-day outing resist the temptation to post about it on social networks. Regardless if you have 10 close friends or 5,000 acquaintances, posting your absence on social networks is an easy way for criminals to know your home is open for the taking. Rather, take a great photo and share with your followers once you’re home safe and sound.

Guard Your Garage. Many people forget to secure their garage, especially if there are no valuables in it. However, criminals will often look in your garage for tools they can use to enter your house – hammers, ladders, spare keys even. Protect your garage like you would your front door with a deadbolt that offers the highest grade of residential security.

Time Your Lights. The holidays are hectic and often you’re running from one thing to the next. Do yourself a favor and put a timer on your lights. The Schlage Home Dimmer Module can be used with Nexia™ Home Intelligence to monitor and control your lights remotely. This comes in handy when the holiday hustle and bustle hits.

Monitor Mail and Ads. If you’re traveling have someone check your doors and mailbox for "advertisements" and mail. It’s not uncommon for burglars to leave a piece and see how long it remains there as a gauge and then proceed with their plans. Sometimes they make their own ads to put on doors and check the duration of when it was placed and if it has not been removed.

For more information on keeping your home safe and secure vist us on schlage.com where we have tons of information on products  and tips that will keep your home protected.

Laura W.

Social Media Brand Marketing