Everyone’s excitement builds as the year draws to a close. There are the parties, the gifts, and the overall festiveness of the season. Everyone’s mood lifts. Not surprisingly, there’s a rise in theft and property crime.
According to the National Crime Victimization Survey, property theft crimes including burglary, increase by 20 percent.
Why does this happen?
It would appear that the issue hasn’t been explored in detail, but the few studies that have been conducted point to a mixture of things.
People are busier
Think about it. During the holidays, you’re out visiting everyone and attending events. Or shopping and trying to get all those little errands done. This is in addition to all the other stuff you would have been doing anyway.
Essentially, you’re not home as often. Burglars like nothing better. Your increased absence gives them the opportunity to look over your home, to decide whether it’s a likely candidate and to break in if they think it is.
Beyond this, you’re just more distracted. You have so much more to do so that everyone can have an enjoyable season that you start to forget things. Like arming your security system when you leave the house.
It happens to the best of us. But you don’t want that to happen at night thieves decide to break in.
You Have More Of the Things They Want In The House
You’ve made your list and you’ve checked it twice. Everyone you care about has that special something they wanted and you have those presents stored securely. Or so you think.
If your hiding place is in the master bedroom closet, guess what? Burglars say that’s one of the first places they look.
Plus, you’re more likely to have large sums of cash and jewelry that you would have taken out of a safe or deposit box to wear.
The sum of it all is that burglars know that homes during the holidays are a jackpot and they’re waiting to hit it.
You’ve Got Packages On Your Porch
With the rise of services like Amazon, thieves don’t even have to break into your house to get the goodies they’re looking for. Just take them from outside.
Unless you’ve got a dog, or a front wall or gate, your packages are easy pickings for thieves.
It’s Not The Most Wonderful Time of The Year For Everyone
Unfortunately, people are more prone to anxiety and depression around the holidays. Much of this is centered around not being able to buy things for their friends and family.
Combined with the increase in alcohol and drug use that’s also seen around the holidays, you have lowered inhibitions and heightened motivation for thieves to break into your home.
What can you do about it?
In this case, knowledge is definitely power. You know that there is a greater risk someone is going to try to break into your home during the holidays.
The first step is to increase your overall level of vigilance. Don’t forget to keep following the security precautions you stuck with for the rest of the year.
Ensure you lock your doors and windows before you head out. Turn on your security systems as well.
Then there are longer-range considerations. When was the last time you checked the integrity of the locks in your doors and windows? Are they aged? Are they all working well? The last thing you want is compromised locks that make it easier to get into your home.
Get a video doorbell and a smart lock to keep an eye on deliveries and your packages while you’re at work. Most delivery services offer the option of having your packages placed inside your home.
If you know you’re going to be out more often or even on vacation, make your home look lived in. This has been shown to dissuade thieves. It won’t hurt to tell a neighbor you’re friendly with to throw an eye on your home while you’re away.
We’re experts at locks. With a home assessment, we’ll be able to tell you whether your locks are as secure as they can be this coming holiday season. Call us at 1 305 987 3517.
