Home & Garden

5 ways to improve home security for the holidays

Canadian Living
Home & Garden

5 ways to improve home security for the holidays

[caption id="attachment_1121" align="aligncenter" width="410"] Photography courtesy of Weiser.[/caption]   Although I look forward to going home for the holidays each year, it's always accompanied by a little twinge of anxiety. I just *hate* leaving my condo unoccupied for more than a few days at a time, and although most of that's down to my fear of a washing machine flood in the unit above, it's also a fear of being burgled. (I admit -- I probably watched  Home Alone  waaaaay too many times as a kid.) To help put my paranoid mind at ease, I did a bit of digging into home security tips for the holidays. Some of the best advice I got came straight from the lovely folks at Weiser. (Yes, the lock people -- reasurring source, right?) I found their five-step home security strategy so helpful, I just had to share it with you here. Here's to a safe -- and secure! -- holiday season.  1. Always lock your doors. This seems like a no-brainer, but according to  Weiser, 50 per cent of all break-ins are through  unlocked doors! Make sure all exterior doors are fitted with deadbolts with at least a one-inch throwbolt. 2. Be social media savvy. Social media has introduced a slew of new concerns when it comes to home security. It's important to check the privacy settings on your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, et. al., to make sure strangers aren't seeing things you didn't intend for them to see. 3. Practice smart sharing. Refrain from broadcasting the specific dates that you're going to be away, and don't post pictures of your new 60-inch flatscreen right after a status update about your trip. Keep an eye on what your kids are posting, as well. 4. Think twice before "checking-in." Facebook (and a number of other apps, like FourSquare), allow you to broadcast your location at all times to friends -- and, in many cases, to people you don't even know. What's more, some of these apps are persistent unless you pause them or turn them off... 5. Help the police help you. Make sure your street address is actually visible from the street, and not obscured by trees, bushes or -- forfend -- your overly-enthusiastic Christmas decorations. The experts at Weiser recommend investing in street numbers that are at least four inches high and reflective.   Follow me on Twitter! Don't miss out -- subscribe to Canadian Living's Home & Garden blog!      

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