The holidays are just a few short weeks away, which means it’s time to start thinking about whether your home is safe and secure. You may be starting to finalize your travel plans, or you may be starting to bring out the Christmas tree and outdoor lighting. No matter how you’re choosing to celebrate, read this week’s Redlands Lock & Key blog for some tips on how to keep your home safe and secure.

Redlands Lock & Key is a professional locksmith that offers a variety of locksmith services, including residential, commercial, automotive, and more! Our team of experts can help evaluate your home to ensure it’s safe and secure, whether you’re planning to stick around or you’re heading out to another destination. Check out our post and choose us as your locksmith in Redlands!

Security Measures to Take If You’re Getting Out of Town

Even with all the other considerations you may be faced with this year while traveling in 2020, it doesn’t mean that you should put home security aside

If you are going away to spend time with family or take a much-needed getaway, then see some of the Redlands Lock & Key tips for keeping your home protected from intruders, disasters, and other threats.

Don’t Post Travel Plans Online

While social media has become a popular way to share our travel adventures, we urge you to hold off on posting any travel plans or pictures until after you’ve returned home from your getaway.

Doing so lets thieves and intruders know that your house is open and that they have easier access to your home and belongings. Even if your social media settings are at the highest privacy level, you never know what kind of information may make its way to the wrong people. Be present and enjoy the moment, you can update everyone when you return home safely!

Have a Neighbor Watch Your House

If you’re planning a trip this holiday season, be sure to notify a trusted neighbor. Make sure you have their contact information and ask them to please share with you any information about safety concerns or suspicious activity.

You may also ask them to clear your walks or pick up your mail to give the illusion that someone is home. Be sure to leave a light on in your home as a deterrent as well. Smart home systems can offer automation so you don’t have to worry about remembering to leave lights on before you leave.

Hide Christmas Gifts in a Safe Place

Of course you’ve thought of how you’ll hide gifts from your family members to keep the surprise, but have you thought about hiding them from a potential burglar? A big, pretty pile of gifts under the Christmas tree while you’re gone is an open invitation for a burglar to target your home. If you’re traveling before Christmas, it’s wise to store gifts in a safe, hidden place before you go.

If you don’t have a good place to store them, close blinds or curtains to ensure that no one can see in the windows around your tree. Don’t forget about upcoming deliveries as well! If you’re still waiting on a few presents to arrive, make special delivery arrangements so drivers know where to hide your packages. You could also consider installing a smart doorbell with a camera, which works as a deterrent against thieves. If none of these are an option, kindly ask your neighbor to hold your packages in their home until you return (but don’t forget to get them a souvenir from your getaway!)

Leave the Faucet On Slightly

If you live in a colder climate, you know that weather can be unpredictable. It may be sunny one day, and the next, a blizzard. In order to avoid frozen pipes, it’s best just to leave the water on slightly so that water stays moving through them. This doesn’t mean you need to leave your water running at a constant stream the entire time you’re away, but we do recommend leaving it on a slight drip so you don’t return to a burst pipe.

Safety Measures to Take No Matter What

While most people consider home security more important if you’re going to leave your home for a period of time, many forget that there are threats that still exist even if you’re there. There are still plenty of measures to take in order to ensure your home is safe and secure. Read these tips below and contact our locksmith in Redlands for more information or to schedule an appointment today!

Choose a Safe Christmas Tree

Picking out a Christmas tree is one of the most exciting things about the holiday season, but have you considered that they can actually pose safety threats if not properly maintained? Unfortunately, according to the NFPA, Christmas trees cause approximately 160 fires per year, severely damaging homes and often leading to injury or in some cases, death.

If you’re choosing a natural tree, here are some things to consider:

Freshness — Select a tree that’s as fresh and green as possible.
Hydration — Cut an inch or two off the bottom of the trunk and allow water to soak into the tree. You should also use a stand with water in it so the tree continues to suck up water.
Location — Keep the Tree Away from fireplaces, radiators, and space heaters.

If you’re choosing an artificial tree, consider:

Fire resistance — Look for a tree that specifically notes that it is fire resistant.
Lighting — If your tree comes with lighting, look out for the Underwriters Laboratory seal of approval that indicates whether the proper wiring was used.

Candle Safety

Candles can add a nice warm feel to any room during the holidays, but are you making sure they’re safe? Double-check that all candles are in a secured, sturdy holder that will not tip over. You should also be aware of where your candles are placed. Keep them away from flammable decorations, including garlands and other dry, natural arrangements.

Ensure All Alarms Are Functioning Properly

When cooking and decorating for the holidays, there is an increased risk of things going wrong. To protect yourself from injury or toxic substances, ensure that all alarms in your home (fire, carbon monoxide, etc.) are functioning properly.

Trust Redlands Lock & Key

At Redlands Lock & Key, we value the safety of you and your family. If you have security concerns this holiday season, choose us as your locksmith in Redlands. We specialize in a range of professional locksmith services and our team of experts can help you evaluate whether you have all the proper safety measures in place. Call us today!