12 Tips for Keeping Your Holidays Merry and Bright

The holidays are generally a festive time filled with family and friends, delicious food, and wonderful memories. Unfortunately, some Grinch-like people take advantage of this time and try to steal Christmas. Here are 12 stocking-stuffer tips from us to keep your keep your home safe this holiday season.

1. Ask a friend or neighbor to keep watch over your home, and look for any suspicious activity while you are away. This could mean having someone stop by daily or even stay at your home while you are gone.
   
   
2. Install a home security system. This not only makes a significant difference when it comes to home safety, but it can also give you peace of mind.
   
   
   
   
3. Go simple on the outdoor holiday decorations. Expensive holiday decorations can be an indication that you might have more valuable items inside tucked away inside your home. It's also common that costly decorations be stolen from yards.
   
   
4. Make your home appear that someone is there while you are traveling. For instance, put your lights on timers, have someone collect your mail and newspaper, and if it snows, have someone shovel your driveway.
   
   
5. Lock all of the windows and doors, including the garage door. This should be done even if you're only going to be gone a short period of time.
   
   
   
   
6. Put all gifts away in a safe place that is out of sight, such as a closet. Leaving wrapped gifts where they can be seen increases your risk of someone seeing them and your odds of being robbed.
   
   
7. Invest in a home security mobile app. This allows you to turn lights on and off, view archived and live video of your home, and control home security systems when you are away.
   
   
8. Do not set boxes from big ticket items at the end of your driveway for garbage pickup. Instead, discreetly dispose of boxes by cutting them up and placing the pieces in a garbage bag.
   
   
9. Put up a "Beware of Dog" sign on your fence or door to improve home safety. Even if you only have a small dog, it's more about discouraging potential burglars and letting them think danger lurks behind the door of your home.
   
   
10. Do not leave a spare key outdoors while you are traveling. If you generally keep one under a rock or hidden somewhere else outdoors, this is the time of year to remove it.
    
    
11. Don't broadcast that you are or will be out of town. For example, don't post on Facebook that you are at the airport or post a picture of yourself enjoying your vacation. Save all of your photos and post them upon your return.
    
    
12. Before heading out for your travels, unplug your garage door remote. This increases your home safety, as your garage door won't be able to be opened using a universal remote control.

The team of experienced real estate agents at Sallie Davidson REALTORS® has the knowledge you need to make sure you home ownership experience is always merry and bright. Contact Sallie Davidson REALTORS® today.