The holiday season in Surrey and Langley, BC, along with adjacent cities of Delta, White Rock and Coquitlam often brings not just festivities and joy but also an increased risk of holiday season burglaries at home and businesses. With the flurry of travel plans and the surge in valuable packages arriving at doorsteps, it’s crucial to ensure your home is safe and secure. In this comprehensive guide, our locksmith experts, of over 13 years experience, will provide you with some helpful advice to secure your home and business and expand upon strategies to protect your family, home, and property during this vulnerable time.

1. Avoid Sharing Gifts on Social Media & Physically

One of the simplest yet most effective steps to deter burglars is to keep any signs of valuables out of sight. During the holidays, it’s common to place beautifully wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree, but if these are visible from outside your windows, they could attract unwanted attention. Keep your blinds or curtains closed when you’re not at home, and avoid placing gifts or expensive electronics near windows.

Furthermore, resist the urge to post pictures of your holiday haul on social media, especially if your profiles are public. Sharing images of new gadgets, jewelry, or other valuables can make your home a target for thieves scouting for their next hit.

2. Utilize Smart Lighting and Timers

An effective way to make it appear as if someone is home, even when you’re away, is to use smart lighting systems. These systems can be programmed to turn lights on and off at varying times, mimicking the patterns of normal usage. If smart lights are beyond your current budget, simple timer switches can be used to control lamps and create a similar effect. Setting up lamps to be controlled by conventional timers is yet another alternative.

3. Invest in Safes or Safe Rooms

For irreplaceable items or high-value goods, consider investing in a safe. While you are away from home, be sure that valuables are secured in safes or even safe rooms. This provides you with the piece of mind that comes from knowing that even in the event that a burglary does take place, your possessions would remain secure. A well-secured safe can protect your valuables from theft, even in the unfortunate event of a break-in. For those with more extensive security needs, a safe room might be a worthy consideration, providing a fortified space to protect both precious items and family members if needed.

4. Notify Your Relatives and Communicate with Neighbors

Before heading out for your holiday travels, inform a trusted neighbor or nearby relatives who may not be leaving for the holidays and ask them to keep an eye on your home. They can collect any mail, move undelivered packages from plain sight, and report any suspicious activity to you or the authorities immediately. Establishing a neighborhood watch scheme can also enhance security for everyone in the area. If you are going to be gone for an extended period of time, you should ask a neighbor you can rely on to check on your home on a regular basis to see if there are any actions that seem suspicious. If they detect something, they can call you or the police as quickly as possible.

5. Alternative Package Delivery Methods

With the increase in online shopping, package theft is a significant concern. If you are going to buy your Christmas presents online, you should have them shipped directly to a locker rather than leaving them outside your house. This will prevent any potential thieves from being tempted to steal them. Opt for having packages delivered to secure locations such as local lockers or at a post office instead of your doorstep. Many delivery services now offer options where you can pick up your items at your convenience, reducing the risk of them being stolen.

6. Secure Your Vehicle and Garage

Do not leave presents or any valuable items visible in your car, as these are easy targets for thieves. Always lock your vehicle, and if possible, store it in a locked garage. Likewise, ensure your garage and backdoors are secure. Consider adding extra locks or a security system that covers these areas.

7. Upgrade Locks and Security Systems

Evaluate the locks on your doors and windows. Upgrading to high-security locks and reinforcing entry points can make a significant difference. Additionally, installing a comprehensive home security system with alarms and cameras acts as a deterrent and provides real-time surveillance.

8. Maintain Your Property to Avoid Holiday Season Burglaries

Keep your property well-maintained to avoid giving the impression that it’s uninhabited. Overgrown lawns, piles of snow, and uncollected mail are signals that homeowners may be away. Regular maintenance, or arranging for someone to handle these tasks in your absence, can help create the appearance of an occupied home.

9. Be Discreet About Your Travel Plans

While it’s tempting to share your holiday excitement on social media, publicly posting your travel plans can alert burglars that your home will be empty. Be discreet about your travel itinerary and share details only with close friends or family. When we talk to the victims of burglaries, many people tell the Police and our expert locksmiths at EZ Locksmith that they had posted their Boarding Pass or travel plans on Social Media which is very dangerous. Avoid sharing personal and travel planning info unnecessarily.

10. Local Police Programs

Check if your local police department offers vacation checks. Some departments provide patrol checks for residences that will be vacant due to holiday travel, offering extra security during your absence.

Summary of our Guide

Securing your home in Surrey and Langley, BC, during the holiday season requires proactive and thoughtful preparation. By implementing these strategies, you can enjoy your festive activities knowing that you’ve taken strong steps to protect your home from potential burglaries. Remember, the goal is to make your home less attractive to thieves and more difficult to break into, thereby increasing the safety of your possessions and loved ones.