Fall has finally come to CA. For most of us Fall means cooler weather, holidays with the family, and kickoff season. However, for criminals Fall means shorter daylight hours and more opportunities for theft of holiday packages. With the increase in criminal activity, it’s important to take measures to protect your San Francisco home this season. Here are some things you can do to keep your family and your home protected:

Fall has finally come. For most of us Fall means cooler weather, holidays with the family, and kickoff season. However, for criminals Fall means shorter daylight hours and more opportunities for theft of holiday packages. With the increase in criminal activity, it’s important to take measures to protect your home this season. Here are some things you can do to keep your family and your home protected

Install A Security System

No matter the time of the year, a security system is your best defense against criminals. Security systems deter criminals, they alert you when crime is taking place, and notifies law enforcement to help catch the crooks. Talk to a San Francisco home security professional about what system will be right for your home.

Check All Your Entry Points

Locks do degrade over time from use. So they do need to be replaced on occasion. Take a minute to walk around your home and check all your entry points including your doors and windows. If your locks are weak or vulnerable, replace them. A great option are smart locks. Smart locks are more secure than standard locks and come with a range of features like bluetooth capabilities, built-in security cameras, and remote sensors. Also don't’ forget to secure your garage and any out buildings like sheds.

Add Outdoor Lights

Criminals will use the longer dark hours to lurk around our homes and find a way in. Adding lights around your property reduces the areas they can hide. Walk around your home and look for areas that are very dark. Almost any kind of lighting will work including solar lights and sensor lights.

Clear Your Foliage

Another place that criminals like to hide is behind our landscaping features. Take some time to trim the landscaping around your property. This will help reduce the areas criminals can hide. It will also reduce other problems like pests and storm damage that can damage your home. Don’t forget to clean up your gardening tools after. Criminals will often steal these as well.

Make Plans For When You’re Gone

The holidays also often mean travel. So if you plan to be away for the holidays, make a plan now on how to protect your home. Some tips include:

• Installing automatic lights to make it seem like you are home
• Redirect your mail so that it doesn’t stack up, showing you are gone
• Have a neighbor or trusted friend check on your home
• Install a security system with remote monitoring so you can watch your home from anywhere

These will help you keep your home protected while you are away.

These tips will help you secure your house for the Fall season and beyond. The best thing you can do is consult with a professional security expert. They’ll review the threats, risks, and vulnerabilities and will help you put together a plan to keep your family and your home safe this Fall.