Safety and Security Tips for the Holiday Season

Holiday Travel Security Tips

Are you going on a holiday trip? Or maybe closing up your home or business for a short period of time? Follow these tips.

Home / Business Security

• Lock all doors, windows, and gates before leaving. Also, be sure to take spare keys with you.
• Leave blinds and curtains partially open. Don’t worry – people will not be able to see in, but doing so makes it appear that someone is at the property.
• When possible, use timers on your lights, as this also gives the impression of normal activity at your home or business.
• Have a trusted neighbor pick up your mail or contact the post office to hold it until you return.
• Work with a security company to do courtesy checks on your home or business, as it acts as a crime and loitering deterrent, and helps keep you informed if something were to happen. Also, engaging a security company means less chance of encountering an unexpected problem upon your return (which no one wants to confront).

 

Vehicle / Mall / Store Security

• When entering, make a mental note of where security offices, emergency exits, and other emergent assistance responders can be found or contacted.
• Keep your keys in a safe location. Do not hide them in your vehicle, and ideally not on your vehicle either.
• When retuning to your vehicle, have your keys at the ready. Also, have your cell phone in hand and able to call 911 quickly (just in case).
• As you approach your vehicle, be sure to scan the area, including looking underneath the vehicle as you approach it and look inside before entering it.
• Keep and transport all packages in your trunk. If you don’t have a trunk, try and keep them out of sight by using a blanket or jacket to cover them.
• Go to places that are well-lit and have a security presence (i.e. security officers or visual camera systems in place).

Gyms / Workout Centers

• Gyms rank high on the list of places where vehicles get broken into. Most people have their wallet or purse with them as they drive to a gym but rarely take it inside. This is a prime place for vandals who feel there is a good chance a wallet or purse is hidden in the vehicle.
• Always be aware of your surroundings – specifically who is watching you and who is following you.

The Holiday Season is High-Time for Stealing’

Crime rates are rising in major cities across the U.S., and the headlines reflect it. Bold daytime thefts have become alarmingly common, whether in retail stores or residential areas. Shockingly, these incidents often unfold in front of multiple witnesses. However, many bystanders are too afraid to speak up—or can’t provide useful details when they do. Sadly, this time of year sees a spike in robbery, burglary, and theft. Apartment complexes and residential communities remain top targets for criminals looking to take advantage.

Robbery Risks Increase During the Holidays

Robbery involves force or fear to take property—and tired tenants are especially vulnerable. As they carry bags filled with holiday gifts from their cars to their apartment doors, they become easy targets. Beyond the stolen presents, victims often suffer lasting trauma. The emotional and psychological damage can linger long after the holidays are over, affecting their sense of safety and well-being.

Burglary Threatens the Safety of Your Home

Burglary occurs when someone breaks in with the intent to steal or commit another felony—and it can also turn violent. In the days leading up to Christmas, many homes are filled with valuable items. Whether hidden in closets or stacked beneath a brightly lit tree, gifts are easy to locate—even through blinds or curtains.

According to the National Apartment Association, 39 million Americans live in apartments. With about 90% of Americans celebrating Christmas, that’s roughly 35 million renters who observe the season of giving. This combination of high-value goods and high participation creates the perfect storm for criminal activity. Thieves know the holidays bring popular, in-demand items that fetch top dollar through resale apps or shady buyers, known as “fences.”

Larceny: A Common Holiday Crime

Larceny—the theft of physical property—is one of the most widespread crimes during the holidays. Video doorbells across the country capture package thefts daily. Criminals follow delivery trucks, swipe packages from doorsteps, toss them into waiting vehicles, and vanish in seconds.

Unfortunately, apartment communities are prime hunting grounds. Thieves walk through complexes looking for unattended packages, pry open mailboxes, or slip into leasing offices to steal parcels waiting for pickup. With so many deliveries during this season, the opportunities for theft are endless.

While all of this seems rather bleak, you can help mitigate criminal behavior by being proactive, and having an experienced provider like Guardian Integrated Security provide services for your apartment community or rental housing complex.