Holiday Safety Tips - Safeguarding Home

Securing Your Home for the Holidays, Even While You're Out of Town

Advice Seeker: Dear April,

I am planning on traveling across the country this Christmas with my family. We will be leaving our house vacant for about a week, and I'm a bit concerned about it getting broken into. There was a rash of break-ins last year around the holidays in our neighborhoods. Do you have any tips that will help reduce the chances that it would happen to us?

Sincerely,

Traveling Homeowner

April Masini's advice:

Dear Traveling Homeowner,

Here Are Five Tips for Securing Your Home During The Holidays:

* Make sure your tree and electrical decorations are safe. Check for shorted out bulbs and exposed wires. Have an electrician do a run through for extra safety.

* Hire a house-sitter. You can even get someone you know for free. If you’re taking a vacation for a weekend of two weeks, have someone stay in your house during that time.

* Keep your lights on. Yes, it amps up your electric bill, but it also gives the impression that people are home.

* Get a security system with timed lights so that your inside and outside lights go on at a certain time of night.

* Park your car out front, so it looks like you’re home, rather than stowing it in your garage.