This is a sponsored post
A few years ago our neighborhood experienced a rash of break-ins throughout the month of December. As unsettling as this crime spree was to our small suburban neighborhood, it served as a good reminder to reassess our home to make it even more secure whether we’re leaving the house for a couple hours, the day, or for an extended period of time. Before you become engrossed in a long to-do list of tasks before traveling or hosting visiting friends and relatives as the busy holiday season arrives, take some time to reassess your home’s security and put measures in place to provide additional peace of mind.
1. Install longer deadbolts and thicker strike plates
Because thieves were kicking in doors during their December crime spree in our neighborhood, we decided to install a longer deadbolt with a thicker strike plate on our front and back doors. Increasing the length of the deadbolt sunk it deeper into door jam by adding another inch. We also picked up a thicker strike plate to help ensure that the deadbolt would remain secure if someone tried to break in with force.
2. Secure items outside
It’s always a good idea to secure belongings in your yard at any time of the year to prevent them from disappearing.
- Teach kids to round up their toys so they can’t be seen from the sidewalk or by passing cars
- Use bike locks to secure kids’ bikes or riding toys that are normally kept outside so they don’t disappear
- Bring garden tools inside or keep them in a locked shed with a weather resistant padlock outside
- Secure ladders and other large items that need to stay outside with cable locks attached to stationary objects like trees
3. Enlist smart home technology to keep an eye on your house while you’re away
It’s always a good idea to put a hold on mail and the newspaper while you’re away and have a reliable neighbor watch your house but the wealth of smart home and connected technology products makes it so easy to keep an eye on your house while you’re away. Smart home technology lets you automate tasks from your smartphone so it looks like you’re home even when you’re not. You can turn lights on and off, peek in your house when you’re not there, receive alerts when motion is detected in your house, and even set your thermostat so you come home to a toasty warm house after being away during the winter months. I’ve written about a variety of smart home connected technology so take some time and do some research on them to help you figure out what might work best for you and your home.
4. Be mindful of what you’re accessing through public wifi when traveling
At any time of year, public wifi can be a blessing and a hazard. We love our connectivity but it’s important to remember that unsecured networks can be a phishing ground for digital thieves who are after information that can lead to identity theft, credit card fraud, and drained bank accounts. Using a product like the Verizon Jetpack can ensure that you always have your own private WiFi connection when out of the house but it’s also important to store passwords in a secure place like Master Lock Vault.
If you’re looking to gift someone with products that will help keep them safe, some affordable holiday gifts that give throughout the year include the Master Lock SafeSpace Portable Safe ($28.69) and Pepper Spray (starting at $10.25). After all, you can never
As a member of Master Lock’s Live Secure Safety Squad, I have been compensated for my time in writing this post and receive samples for review.
