Holiday Burglary: How to Protect Your Home This Holiday Season | By Jordan Frankel

The holidays should be about celebrating and spending time with loved ones. Unfortunately, for many burglars, it’s also a prime time to prey on unsuspecting families and steal valuables. A holiday burglary can rob you of more than just possessions—it also steals your sense of security and the joy that comes with the season.

Consider the recent holiday burglary that took place in Hebron, Connecticut, right before Christmas. According to Eyewitness News 3, the criminal stole all of the Amazon-delivered gifts and even took a jewelry box from the victim’s bedroom. As the victim shared, “the biggest loss was her peace of mind.”

Taking extra steps to protect your home against holiday burglary is essential for preserving both your possessions and your peace of mind. This is particularly important if you’ll be away from home for holiday travel or if valuable gifts are visible in your home. Below are key security tips and information to help keep your home safe from holiday burglaries.

Home Security Tips to Protect Against Holiday Burglary

1. Make Your Home Appear Occupied

• Burglars target empty homes, especially during holiday trips. To deter them, install smart devices and timers to switch lights and electronics (like a radio or TV) on and off at random times. This makes it seem like someone is home.
• Use outdoor motion-activated LED lights to illuminate entryways and deter would-be intruders. When it comes to your security lights, the brighter the better.
• Set up outdoor surveillance cameras prominently to show thugs looking to carry out a holiday burglary that they’re being watched. If a surveillance system isn’t within your budget, place realistic dummy cameras in visible locations out of reach.

2. Keep Your Christmas Tree and Gifts Out of Sight

• Burglars look for easy access and visible rewards. Avoid placing your Christmas tree in front of a window, as it may attract burglars who can see your holiday gifts. Keep blinds or curtains closed to prevent prying eyes from seeing valuables inside.

3. Enlist a Trusted Neighbor to Check In While You’re Away

• When traveling, have a neighbor or trusted friend pick up newspapers, packages, and flyers from your doorstep to help eliminate signs that you’re away and create the appearance of activity. This simple step can go a long way in preventing a holiday burglary.
• Avoid announcing travel plans on social media, answering machines, or voicemail. Burglars sometimes use these clues to find unoccupied homes.

4. Secure Sliding Doors and Windows

• For sliding glass doors, place a heavy-duty metal or solid wood dowel in the track to prevent entry. Use anti-lift devices on windows that slide vertically.
• Burglars often enter through doors and windows, so secure these entry points with extra reinforcement.

5. Reinforce Entry Doors and Windows

• Install a strong security door brace on entry doors to withstand heavy pressure. For windows, apply window security film to make breaking the glass difficult, time-consuming, and noisy. The noise alone can discourage a burglar, as they won’t want to risk being caught.

6. Dispose of Gift Boxes Carefully

After the holidays, don’t place empty boxes from high-value electronics like TVs, gaming consoles, or computers outside. Break down boxes and dispose of them in garbage bags to keep your valuables hidden.

Don’t Let a Holiday Burglary Steal Your Joy

Burglars don’t care about the impact their crimes have on your family—they only care about the reward. This holiday season, protect your home by implementing these holiday burglary prevention measures. Doing so will help you relax and enjoy this special time with those you cherish most.