7 Home Security Preparation Tips For The Winter

October 3, 2016 by Anas Mustafa

If you think that criminals might take a break during the cold weather season from break-and-enter crimes, think again.

The reason for this is that winter — with its reduced daylight hours compared to other times of the year — provides criminals with ideal conditions for home break-ins. Using the cover of darkness as a cloak of concealment, during the cold weather season they can target unsuspecting homeowners. So it’s important to safeguard against possible break-in attempts year-round.

What follows, therefore, are seven home security preparation tips for winter. We’re betting that number five might surprise you.

1. Keep Doors & Windows Locked

   While it might seem like common sense to ensure that your windows and doors are locked up when no one is home, this rule of thumb is broken all too often. And the negative consequences could be disastrous if determined thieves gain easy access to your home through an unlocked window or door.

2. Automatic Timers

   If you haven’t already done so, it would make sense to install automatic timers that switch your lights on when the sun sets. That way, you can make it look like someone’s home even if you and your family are away.

3. Light it Up

   Again, criminals who commit home break-ins often operate under the cover of darkness. So when the sun starts to set or clouds start to form, your best bet is to keep your access points properly lit. This can be accomplished by installing motion-sensor lights outside of your home, which will automatically activate if someone gets within a specified range.

4. Home Alarm System

   One of the best things you can do to make your home less attractive to criminals is to install a monitored alarm solution. With such a system in place, you can rest assured that someone working at the monitoring service provider will call to follow up or notify the police in the event that your alarm is triggered.

5. Trim Shrubs

   As part of your fall yard work regimen, be sure to trim back shrubs that could otherwise provide a convenient place for criminals to hide. Ideally, you should be able to see your house from the street.

6. Leave it & Check it

   Even the best monitored alarm systems won’t do you much good if they’re not turned on, so be sure to make it a part of your daily routine to ensure not only that it is on, but also that all of the sensors are operational. Also, you need to ensure that the elements don’t reduce the effectiveness of your home security solution. For instance, snow or ice that is left on the cameras could render your system ineffective, and this is something that a criminal could quickly pick up on.

7. Store Summer Stuff

   When summer gives way to fall and fall gives way to winter, you don’t want your warm weather stuff, like deck furniture or sporting equipment, to simply be strewn about. So put away anything that is out of season. Storing them in a garage or in a lockable shed will help you to keep your things safe.

The last thing anyone wants is to be the victim of a home break-in. By following the tips mentioned above, you can greatly reduce the chances of your home being targeted during the cold weather months.