How to Secure Your Home Over the Holidays

It’s that time of year when we make plans to host a holiday gathering surrounded by family and friends, or take time away to visit loved ones far away. Hopefully it can be a time to connect and celebrate with meaningful traditions.

Whatever your plans this holiday season, take steps to ensure your home is safe. In this article, we’ll cover how to secure your home over the holidays, whether you’re staying in our heading out.

Check Your Smoke Detectors

Did you know that Thanksgiving and Christmas are prime days for house fires? According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving Day has the most home cooking fires, with Christmas Day and Christmas Eve close behind.

But there’s more burning than turkey or stuffing. Year-round, one third of house fires were started by candles, but in December it jumps to 46% of fires. So if you have some holiday decorations with open flames, be extra careful.

Before the big holidays arrive, be sure to test your smoke detectors to make sure they are in working order. Did you know that with a Cove home security system, you can integrate our smoke detectors? That way, you—and our monitoring agents—will be notified at the first sign of trouble, whether you’re home or away.

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Mind Your Kitchen Drain

Plumbers are extra busy on Thanksgiving and other big holidays like Christmas. That’s because people tend to pour things down the drain that they shouldn’t. Namely grease. Never pour hot grease or oil down your drain, as it will solidify and create a stubborn clog that can cost you.

While you’re caring for house pipes, consider adding water leak detectors to your Cove home security system. These small devices are meant to be placed anywhere water could drip: under sinks and near toilets, dishwashers, washing machines, and hot water heaters. They connect with your home security system and at the first sign of moisture, you’ll get notified.

Schedule Your Packages

Go ahead, get crazy with Black Friday deals. (Cove has one!) Just make sure that any packages you order don’t arrive when you’re not able to take them inside quickly. Either schedule them accordingly, or ask a neighbor to pick them up.

One way to always keep an eye on your porch is a doorbell camera as part of your Cove home security system. You’ll get an alert when there’s motion at your front door, so you’ll always know who is there, whether you’re home or away. Another tip: If you get something expensive and want to discard the box, don’t leave it out where someone can see what you got. They may be tempted to nab it.

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Set Your Home Security Alarm

The holidays are notorious for gift giving—and gift stealing. Especially if you’re spending time away from home, criminals may target your home. Thankfully, if you have a home security system, your place is 300% less likely to be targeted. Burglars want an easy in-and-out, and when they spot the Cove sign or see security cameras, they’ll move on to an easier home to access.

Cove is affordable, easy to install, and easy to arm/disarm. Whether you’re home or away, you can feel safe and secure. If you already have a home security system, assess the equipment you do have. It might be a good idea to add an extra outdoor security camera to keep more eyes on your home.

Secure All Windows and Exterior Doors

Always lock your exterior doors, especially if you’ll be gone. If you have sliding doors, take extra caution, as they are vulnerable points that burglars may target. Reinforce sliding doors with additional locks or security bars.

Don’t forget to check every window, especially if you’re leaving town for a few days, to ensure they are locked.

Consider adding window and door sensors as part of a Cove home security system. That way, if anyone tries to get into your home, you’ll be notified.

Keep Landscaping Well Lit and Cleared

A dark home exterior is very inviting for a burglar because there are more places to hide without being noticed. Install motion-sensor lights all around your home. In addition, if it snows where you live, be sure to keep walkways cleared. And always make it appear that your home is occupied, even when it’s not.

In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, be sure to follow these tips to ensure your home stays safe and secure. Whether you’re heading out of town or hosting at your place, make safety a top priority. Interested in learning more about Cove? Take our quiz below. It only takes a minute, and you’ll be one step closer to a safe, secure home.