Remember the movie Home Alone? Don't let your house be the target of a holiday burglary, especially if you'll be out of town. 

Keep doors locked. This almost goes without saying, but make sure you keep your doors and windows locked. According to fbi.gov, 35 percent of burglaries are unlawful entry, suggesting that doors and windows were not secured.    

Shore up your garage’s weaknesses. This part of the house has some weak points that make it pretty easy for an intruder to work his way in. If you park your car in the driveway, don’t keep the garage opener in your car; keep it in the house. Never store gifts in the garage, especially if your garage has windows and non-deadbolt locks on exterior doors. Finally, always use the deadbolt to secure the door that leads from the garage to the house.

Create that at-home look. With those short days and long nights, it’s a good idea to put your lights on a timer and keep a radio on when you’re out and about. It’s a great way to fool a burglar into thinking someone’s home.  

Discard wisely. What’s a sure sign to a burglar that your home is now filled with expensive gadgets? Empty boxes stacked next to your recycling bin. Instead, load them up in your car and find a place where you can drop these off. 

Conceal your gifts. Your tree is decorated with mounds of beautiful packages heaped beneath its boughs. If these are visible from the outside, that can be tempting to a burglar. Keep your shades or drapes drawn. Or, if you like showing off your tree to your neighbors, consider storing the wrapped gifts in a closet or some other out-of-sight place until the big day.    

Be social media savvy. Do take lots of pictures of your holiday vacation or the delighted faces of your loved ones opening gifts, but be mindful of what you share online and when you share it when you post these to social media. You never can tell who’s watching!

During the holidays, it’s worth going the extra mile to make sure you, your finances and your property remain safe and secured. Make sure you’re properly covered during the holidays and beyond with an ERIE home policy. 

Enjoy the holidays!   When you are ready for a protection review please contact us.

Erie Insurance 12/7/17