Grinch-Proof Your Home This Holiday Season
The holidays are here! Enjoy your cozy Christmas Eve, festive Christmas Day and ongoing celebrations for Boxing Day and the remainder of 2025! While you’re enjoying this special time, your home is likely filled with gifts, decorations, and a feeling of warmth. Unfortunately, the holiday season also creates a spike in opportunity for unwanted visitors.
In Eastern Ontario, police warnings indicate that home burglaries increase by 30% and the risk of property crime is significantly heightened in December. Why?
Increased Opportunity: Homes are left empty for holiday visits, or occupants are distracted by gatherings.
Increased Value: New, high-value electronics and gifts are temporarily inside the home.
Specific Targeting: Organized groups are actively operating in the region, looking for weak points.
To ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday season, protecting both your loved ones and treasures, it’s critical to make sure your home is "Grinch-Proofed." Here’s how:
1. Secure the Perimeter: Door Locks and Reinforcement
Your front and back doors are the primary points of entry. While a standard lock provides basic security, a determined intruder often goes straight for the weakest link: the strike plate and the deadbolt.
Reinforced Strike Plates: A standard strike plate is often secured with short, half-inch screws into the door frame trim. Strike plates can be upgraded by installing heavy-duty strike plates secured with three-inch screws that penetrate deep into the structural wood of the door jamb and wall stud. This turns a simple lock into a formidable barrier against forceful entry attempts.
Upgrade to a High-Quality Deadbolt: Unlike spring-loaded latches, a deadbolt extends a solid steel rod deep into the frame. Deadbolts cannot be forced open with a plastic card or knife; quality locks feature hardened steel components to resist common break-in tools. Quality deadbolts are designed to provide peace of mind and protection for decades.
Smart Locks: Smart locks from brands like Yale or Schlage offer keyless entry via a keypad or app. Remotely check if the door is locked and enable locking, whether you’re in bed, or out and about spreading holiday cheer.
2. Shine Bright!
A well-lit yard and home is the simplest, most effective crime deterrent. Criminals avoid being seen, and a sudden, bright floodlight is often enough to send them elsewhere.
Exterior Floodlights: Install motion sensor lights to cover all dark areas: side yards, driveways, and back entrances that are vulnerable to unseen entry.
Smart Lighting: Modern smart security lights often integrate lights and cameras into one unit. They can be programmed to switch on/off at staggered times when you’re away, mimicking occupancy (a key deterrent).
3. Eyes on the Prize: Security Cameras and Doorbells
Security cameras and video doorbells are your best tools for monitoring, evidence collection, and deterring package theft (a huge issue during the holidays).
Video Doorbells: These are essential for fighting "porch pirates"—thieves who steal delivered packages. They provide real-time alerts and two-way talk to scare off potential thieves.
Full Surveillance: Strategically install cameras at high-vantage points (e.g., above the garage, corners of the house) to watch entry points.
Give Yourself the Gift of Peace of Mind
The holidays should be about relaxation, family, and joy—not real-life grinches! Your Local Handyman Service doesn't just fix things; we make your home stronger, safer, and more secure - we grinch-proof homes. Contact Your Local Handyman Service today!
(613) 851-8828 | info@YourLocalHandymanService.com | www.YourLocalHandymanService.com
Proudly serving Brockville, Kemptville, Ottawa, ON and surrounding areas.