It’s the most wonderful time of the year – until your house is burglarized. While you’re out at festive parties, shopping at the mall or away on a holiday vacation, the criminals are patrolling area neighborhoods looking for easy prey. Here are 8 simple tips you can use to take a bite out of crime while everyone else is enjoying your fresh baked cookies. 

1. Hire a trusted neighbor to shovel your snow, park a car at your home or even just make tire tracks in the driveway. Virgin snow is a dead giveaway of an empty house. 
2. Don’t use an airport shuttle from your house. If you need a ride, ask a friend or use a company you trust. Don’t discuss your vacation plans with your driver. Make it sound like you have a house-sitter, even if you do not. 
3. Thieves look for overstuffed mailboxes, newspapers piled up on the driveway and they might even leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it. Have a neighbor or friend pick up these telltale signs. 
4. While we all love sharing what we’re up to with our friends on Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare, burglars love social media too. The bad guys are hoping you’ll post your travel plans. There is even a web site called Please Rob Me that tracks social media activity. Don’t post your travel plans letting everyone know you’ll be gone. Share your great stories when you return. 
5. Buy timers for your lights and TVs. They are inexpensive and available at most every hardware store. Simulating a little activity inside works wonders. Even leaving a radio set to a talk station can help. Thieves are more likely to target a dark, quiet home. If you’re reluctant to leave your TV on while you’re out of town, get a Fake TV. It’s a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television.
6. Lock all the doors and set the alarm. This one may sound basic, but when we’re rushed and have a million things on our mind, we sometimes forget the simplest things that make a big difference. Criminals often knock on the door before trying to break in. If no one answers, they try the door. Don’t leave them a present. 
7. If you don’t have an security system get one. Home break ins are on the rise. One in three homes without an alarm system will be burglarized at some point – 1 in 3! With the added protection and deterrent of an Alert Alarm system, the number drops to 1 in 250 homes. Even better, most all insurance companies offer significant discounts – up to several hundred dollars – to homeowners with an alarm system.  
8. Call the good folks at Alert Alarm at 248-288-5100. We’ll give your home a free 12-point security and safety check up. We’ll show you more ways you can secure your house, protect your family, save money and enjoy the holidays knowing your home is safe and sound.

We hope these Holiday Home Security Tips help you and yours enjoy a very happy and healthy holiday.