Holidays are Approaching How To Properly Protect Your Home

Christmas and Hanukkah are right around the corner. With all of the festivities come parties and family gatherings. Many of these events take place far from home. Do you know how to keep your home and your new “goodies and toys” safe from the Grinch? Gulf Coast Educators Insurance offers these tips on keeping your home and belongings safe this holiday season:

• Don’t advertise on social media that you will be gone for the holiday. Doing this just sends an open invitation for a burglar to rob you
• On the same note, be careful what pictures you post of your new presents. While the new big-screen television is wonderful, posting a picture of you standing in front of it once again lets thieves know that you have worthwhile techie toys to steal
• Make sure you lock all of your doors and windows before leaving
• Have a neighbor pick up your mail and newspapers. Also, have the neighbor check on your home
• Invest in motion sensor lights to light up both the front and back of your home
• Break down all of your boxes before placing them in the trash or recycling bins. Thieves cruise up and down roads looking at trash/recycling to see what goodies await inside your home
• Keep your valuables out of sight. While displaying your beautifully decorated Christmas tree through the front window, be aware that thieves can also see your presents inside
• Make sure that your garage and sheds are secure
• Don’t leave any ladders near the house or outside. Thieves can use the ladder to climb into a window on the second floor of your home
• Don’t hide keys. Burglars know where to look.
• If you have an alarm system, arm it. Make sure that the neighbor checking your home has the code

If the unthinkable does happen and a thief breaks into your home, make sure to call the police, don’t touch anything, and call your insurance company. Gulf Coast Educator’s insurance is here for you.