Criminals love the holidays, but it’s not because Santa is bringing them the new black ski mask or lock-picking tools they had on their list this year. During the month of December, the threat of robbery is much greater simply because homes are more vulnerable. All those social events, shopping trips, and family vacations leave homes empty quite frequently.

You’re probably conjuring up images of Harry and Marv from Home Alone ransacking your house while you’re enjoying a lovely Christmas in Paris. Unless you happen to leave Macaulay Culkin behind as your first line of defense, there are a few precautions that you should definitely take.

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  1. Always lock your doors, even if you’re only leaving for a few minutes.
  2. Don’t leave descriptive phone messages like, “Hello, you’ve reached the McCallisters! We’re on a family trip and will not return until January 1st!” All a prospective robber has to do is reach your voicemail and rest easy knowing that they will be able to burgle your home uninterrupted. For the same reason, you may not want to post detailed vacation plans all over social media.
  3. Criminals look for cues that might suggest a home is empty such as outdoor lights never being turned off or newspapers and packages piling up at the front door. Consider installing an outdoor light with a timer and have a trusted neighbor keep an eye on your house.
  4. Don’t hide your spare key in cliche spots like under the doormat or on your front door ledge. Sit down with your family and determine a very unique place to hide your spare key or simply have a friend or neighbor hold onto it, especially if you’re gone for an extended period of time.
  5. Avoid leaving out conspicuous, empty boxes of valuable items on the side of the road. This indicates to burglars that there are clearly goods worth stealing inside. Break them down or cut them up so it’s not quite so obvious.
  6. Don’t leave a stash of presents under the tree near the window for weeks before Christmas. It can be both tempting and easy for a robber to just break the window and quickly snatch the packages.
  7. Stash your valuables in a concealed safe, and don’t leave cash or jewelry out in the open.

While the holidays are a time for joy and relaxation, it’s important to keep your home and family well-protected. Be safe out there, and enjoy the holidays!