Whether you live in a snowy climate or the temperature only drops to 60 degrees during the winter, the changing season brings both good and bad. Winter can mean rising heating costs, plenty of time spent shoveling the sidewalk, slippery commutes to work, and additional home security problems. Don’t forget to pay attention to this concern during the winter time – and definitely don’t make these five home security mistakes during the colder months:

1) Forgetting to do last-minute house checks in your rush to get to the car. It’s no fun to dash outside into the winter weather, but be sure you spend the time to do a last-minute check of your alarm system, as well as making sure all of the doors are locked. Take a second look, no matter how chilly you are.

2) Turning the car on to let it warm up. This might be an appealing way to avoid jumping into a freezing car, but it can be risky. If you start the car before returning inside to finish getting ready, you run the risk that a thief will wander by and take advantage of the opportunity. Never leave the keys in the ignition, even just to dash inside for a minute.

3) Neglecting to shovel the sidewalk. Not only can this lead to slips and falls on the icy surface, but it also provides an important clue for burglars. During the winter months, savvy burglars look to see who hasn’t shoveled their sidewalk after a fresh snowfall. This indicates that the occupants are probably not at home – or are too busy with work and school to bother doing it. Because burglars prefer to break into empty homes, they’ll target these houses first.

4) Not checking the stability of your windows before the cold weather hits. Weather wreaks havoc on all sorts of building materials, especially old wood-frame windows. These can be drafty, resulting in an immense increase in your energy bill as the temperature falls. Plus, they are easy for criminals to pry open, gaining entry into your home. Do you have old windows? Replace them before the end of fall. This is also a great time to check your roofing and other areas of the home that might be vulnerable when the wet and cold weather hits.

5) Not being ready for power outages. High windows and snowfall can make the power go out every winter, even if you’re not accustomed to considering this possibility in your area. Don’t wait until a storm is coming to stock up on bottled water, flashlights, and candles. Make sure you have plenty of these emergency items stored in an emergency kit that will be easy to find in the dark. That way, you’ll be prepared for any natural disaster to come your way – and you won’t have to do the last-minute rush to gather these supplies. Even if you live somewhere where high winds and snowfall are unlikely, an emergency kit makes good common sense.

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Category: Home Management
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