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Tip of the Week: ‘Tis the Season to be Stealing

Protecting Your Home and Business While Away This Holiday Season

It’s estimated at least 35 percent of businesses will close on Christmas Eve and 90 percent on Christmas Day. About 63.9 million people will travel, and with people gone and businesses closed, both homes and businesses are at risk to burglaries and theft.
Below are proactive steps for your business and your home to minimize your chances of becoming a victim this holiday season:

For Your Business:

1. Review your current security measures. Utilize security cameras and alarm systems as a part of your security measures and highlight these devices when possible to help deter criminals. If a criminal knows your business has tight security measures, they will likely move on to another less secure business.

2. Assess your risk. What are the possible entry points and how easy would it be for a criminal to break-in? Harden the weak points.

3. Invest in proper lighting. Eliminate dark spots in utility areas such as around storage buildings and dumpster bins and use motion activation devices to detect pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

4. Limit the amount of cash on the premise. Keep the amount of cash in your building to a minimum to help lessen the financial hit. Better yet, remove all cash while the business is closed for an extended period.

5. Don’t make it obvious that your building is empty. Try keeping some lights on or using a timed activation light system. These simple methods can make it seem as though the building is occupied, and help make your business less of a target.

6. Consider hiring temporary security guards. If your business is at a particular risk, consider employing contract security personnel for the holidays.

For Your Home:

7. Manage the landscape of your yard so that people passing by can see anything suspicious. Trim your shrubbery to eliminate hiding spots.

8. Install Motion Sensor Lights. Install motion sensors on exterior light fixtures that illuminate upon detection of motion. Motion detecting lights are cost effective and provide a great indicator that someone is in your yard moving around. Eliminate deep shadows by ensuring all areas of the property have adequate lighting.

9. Keep your doors and windows locked. If possible, place a brace of some sort to lock sliding windows or doors. A small stick will usually do the trick. The more inconvenient it is to break into your home the greater the chance of an offender moving on to another one.

10. Leave your home in a lived-in appearance. This will help deter the would-be thief who wants to break in and steal.

11. When away, use timers on interior lights in various areas of the home to create a sense of occupancy.

12. Invest in a home security system. Once considered a luxury item, security systems are now affordable and accessible. Thieves will act out of opportunity, and if you have a home security system in place, they will usually move on to an easier target.

13. Put a hold on mail delivery. If going on vacation, put a hold on your newspaper and mail delivery or make arrangements for someone to pick it up. Criminals look for signs that you and your family are absent from home.

14. Don’t post on Social Media when your family is on vacation. Wait until you are back and then post all your fun photos.

Increasing your security posture at times of enhanced risk is key to avoiding becoming a crime victim. With a commitment to awareness and by following these tips, your home and your business will be safer and more secure while you’re away this holiday season.

Additional Reading for Security Tips to keep your home and business safe:
Protect Your Home by Thinking Like a Thief
Your Home is Your Refuge
Lighting for Your Home and Business
Minimize Home Burglary
Neighborhood Security Tips
Crime Prevention through Environmental Design

Kathy Leodler Chief Executive Officer Email:kathy.l@rampartgroup.com Phone: (360) 981-2703 PI License #3555

Paul Leodler Executive Vice President Email:paul.l@rampartgroup.com Phone: (360) 981-3397 PI License #4180

We at Rampart Group are committed to your security. Call 1-800 421-0614 or contact us today with your security or investigative needs.