Now that the gifts have been purchased and are sitting under the tree, do you ever get a little nervous when leaving the house? Fine, so paranoia is not exactly part of the holiday spirit, but whether you’re going away for the holidays or just want to make sure only Santa shows up to your house unannounced, there are a few things you can do to keep things safe. Like the holidays, all it takes is a little planning to make a big difference.

Santa should be the only uninvited guest to arrive this year. Be ready if he isn’t.

No Lights Out

Turning on the porch light is second nature for most of us to show that someone is home. If you’re planning on leaving the house, your porch light should always be on, otherwise your home will obviously show that no one is there. If possible, have your lights on a fixed timer to turn on. Keeping them on during appropriate hours will give the illusion of occupancy, making it less of a target for thieves.

Quiet Time

Always try and keep your holiday plans to yourself and off social media. Thieves are a resourceful bunch and if they know about a possible empty house, they’ll go for it. During the holidays, when the scores can be even bigger for thieves, this warning doubles in severity. It’s best to keep your plans unknown on social media before leaving. Privacy filters on your social media accounts are no guarantee and you never know who may be browsing your page looking for information.

The Key to the Holidays

If you keep a spare key hidden outside your home, make sure to secure it. It’s best not to gamble with a thief doing some exploring and finding it, no matter how well you think it’s hidden. Don’t make things easy for them. They thrive on easy scores and will avoid your home if it doesn’t seem worth the trouble.

Home for the Holidays

Whether you’re away or staying home for the holidays, the best way to give you the peace of mind you need is to prepare for the worst. At Shepard Walton King, we provide comprehensive homeowners insurance to keep you covered in case of a break-in. If you would like to learn more about what we offer, and to get a quote, contact us online or give us a call at 800.446.2471.