6 Tips to Protect your Family and
Home During the Holidays!
Plan ahead for security with a few simple precautions.
First Impression understands the importance of keeping your home, family and gifts safe over the holidays. The excitement of impending holidays spent with family and friends can sometimes cause us to let our guards down. We want to remind you that even though you might be out enjoying holiday parties or traveling to be with family members, others can view this as an opportunity to take advantage. We'd like to share with you 6 tips to help safeguard the things most dear to you at this time of year.
1. Ensure windows, gates, sheds, garage and security doors are locked. Though it might sound simple and obvious, this is something often overlooked and many burglars are opportunists, watching homes to look for an easy in (and out).
2. Keep gifts and other valuables out of visibility from windows and doors. Again, it's always better not to give an opportunist any unnecessary temptations. Out of sight, out of mind.
3. Break down boxes of new electronics or other valuables when you place them in the trash. These boxes advertise you as a prime target for burglary and lets an intruder know exactly what is in your home.
4. When you go out at night, turn on lights and a radio or TV so it appears you are home. Consider investing in an automatic timer for your lights while you are away, which will give the impression someone is home. You can also put your holiday lights on a timer as it can be a dead giveaway that your home is empty if lights are strung on your home and not switched on after dark.
5. Install landscape lighting or motion sensor lighting around the perimeter of your home. The more light you have around your house, the less attractive it is to a would-be burglar. People who want to break into your home want to hide, so make that as difficult as possible.
6. Home invasions and burglaries start with a door or window as an entry point into your home. First Impression steel security doors and window guards are the strongest line of defense against home burglary. If an intruder cannot get into your home, or it even looks like they will have a harder time getting in, they will choose another home. Also consider purchasing window sun screens or security glass laminate by First Impression to block visibility for added privacy and safety.
Besides providing superior protection from the sun, First Impression window sunscreens also block the view into your home while still allowing you to see out. Our security glass laminate also comes in a tinted version, much like the tinting you might have on your vehicle, only thicker thus restricting the view into your home as well. The less a potential thief can see, the more likely your house will be passed over for an easier target.
Window guards can also be an excellent burglary deterrent and a First Impression product can be a beautiful addition to your house, far from the "jail cell" look that many window guards have had a reputation of in years gone by. And many HOAs will approve a First Impression window guard since they can be powder coated, designed and installed to HOA approval guidelines. Even if your HOA will not approve a window guard, many of our customers don't know that they can be installed on the interior of your home, making an attractive looking piece of iron wall art in any room!
All First Impression window guards are installed to your exact specifications and will come with an interior quick release button if there is only one doorway exit from a room, so in the event of an emergency you can press a button and easily get out due to its hinged design. A window guard can be as simple or intricate as you like, and can be made to match your doors, gates, fences and other ironwork around your home.
Considering making your or a loved one's home more secure this season? Please give us a call at 1-800-361-7989.
From our family to yours, have a safe and happy holiday!
