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The season for theft
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November 25, 1999: 10:01 a.m. ET
Take special care during the holidays to safeguard your home against burglars
By Staff Writer Shelly K. Schwartz
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - As the holidays draw near, your thoughts are no doubt turning to loved ones, party plans and shopping lists.
This is, after all, the season of goodwill.
But with petty thieves on the prowl, safety experts say this is no time to let down your guard. If anything, they say, you should be taking extra precautions to protect your home and belongings.
"It is especially around Christmas time when people have the opportunities to look through your windows to see what you've got," said Dennis Martin, a former police chief and president of the American Police Academy. "If they see a lot of gifts under the tree, sometimes that's an incentive for these people to take advantage of the situation."
Each year, nearly 5 million families become victims of household burglary -- often while they are away on vacation, the National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association reports. Often, that occurs during the summer months but it's also a problem during the holidays, when families visit relatives.
Household break-ins and pickpocket crimes also pick up because many shoppers and party-goers are not paying attention, said Steve Kaufer, president of the International Association of Professional Security Consultants.
"During the holidays thefts do increase because people are focused on other things so they are less aware of their surroundings and often forget to take the normal precautions they usually take," he said. "They forget to lock their doors and leave packages on the front seat of the car. We get into such a panic about shopping that we walk around in a daze and that makes us more vulnerable."
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, just 37 percent of the property stolen in 1997 was recovered.
Automobiles remain the most commonly targeted stolen item, followed by jewelry, and electronics.
"Because of the holidays there tends to be a lot more valuables lying around the house and you want to be more concerned at that time of year," said NBFAA spokeswoman Kara Rupard.
The basics
Generally speaking, safeguarding your home during the holidays isn't much different from the rest of the year.
And luckily, much of it is either low-cost or free.
If you're leaving town for a few days, for example, make sure you let a trusted neighbor or friend know. And ask them to collect your mail while you're away.
"When burglars see mail built up in the mailbox and newspapers laying on the driveway they know the person isn't at home," Martin said.
Also, double check your windows and doors to make sure they are locked -- even when you are at home. The garage door, which is often left unsecured, is a common target for break-and-enter thieves.
You also may want to install yard lights, which can be highly effective deterrents against criminal activity. These days, motion-activated outdoor security lights are the most popular among homeowners since they keep the electricity bill to a minimum and because they have the most impact.
(Trespassers on your property who find themselves suddenly caught in the glow of a spotlight are more likely to turn tail and run.)
Home Depot (HD) charges anywhere from $20 to $100 apiece for the range of infrared security lights it sells.
Prevention is key
A few other proactive steps you can take to keep the prowlers at bay -- keep your trees and hedges trimmed so there are fewer places for them to hide, and place a call to the local police department.
Nearly every office in the country has a crime prevention bureau that will send one of its uniformed officers out to your home upon request to inspect the property and offer advice on additional safety measures.
It's nearly always free.
Sound the alarm
Finally, if you don't already have one and you're concerned about theft, you should consider installing a burglar alarm.
The average system, including installation, will set you back about $1,200, according to the NBFAA. That's down from $1,509 in 1990, when there was less competition in the industry.
Expect to pay another $26 per month for the monthly monitoring fee.
And be sure to get estimates from at least three different companies before you commit to any.
"They've proven to be very effective because of the simple fact that if I were going to break into your home and I see even a sticker on the window that says you have an alarm system, most burglars will move on to the next house," Martin said.
(Click here for a story on how to pick the best alarm.)
You can call the NBFAA directly at (301) 907-3203 to request its free brochure on home security systems called, "Safe & Sound: Your Guide to Home Security."
Stay safe.
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