Holiday Theft is Coming. 5 Proven Ways to Secure Your Home and Business this Holiday Season
Burglaries typically spike roughly 20% during the holidays. Here are 5 proven, practical ways to protect your home and business from theft this holiday-season. These are backed by crime-prevention research from police departments, security companies, and insurance data.
- Make It Look Like Someone’s Always Home (The #1 Deterrent)
Burglars will typically avoid conflict if at all possible. Making it appear as if someone is present in your home or business is usually enough to convince them to leave your property alone. Simply leaving the lights or a TV on will make it appear as if someone is there. To take it to the next level you can use smart light plugs or timers that randomly turn lights, TVs, and radios on and off. This looks more natural than rigid schedules.
Smart bulbs like Philips Hue or “FakeTV” lights simulate flickering television light at night.
If leaving town for an extended amount of time, have a neighbor park in your driveway occasionally or collect mail/packages daily.
For businesses use “open” signs on timers even when closed.
2. Upgrade to Visible, High-Quality Cameras (Even Fake Ones Work as a Deterrent)
Invest in real 4K cameras with color night vision and place them in highly visible locations. Research shows that obvious surveillance cameras can cut burglary risk by up to 50%. Maximize their deterrent effect by pairing them with large, weatherproof warning signs (“24-Hour Video Surveillance,” “Smile. You’re on Camera,” or “Property Protected by Video Monitoring”). For the strongest protection, have a professional security company design and install the system. They will position cameras to eliminate blind spots and set up smart motion alerts that ignore pets and passing cars but instantly send notifications to your phone of real threats. If you are on a tight budget, even realistic dummy cameras can still deter a surprising number of would-be thieves.
3. Secure Deliveries
Package theft jumps during the holidays. Use Amazon Locker, UPS Access Point, or your workplace as the delivery address.
Install a parcel drop box or porch lockbox such as Yale Smart Delivery Box.
Require signature on delivery or schedule when you’re home.
4. Layer Your Locks and Doors
Reinforce strike plates with 3-inch screws (potentially turns a 10-second kick-in into a 5-minute ordeal).
Upgrade deadbolts to Grade 1 (e.g., Medeco, Schlage B60/B62).
Add door jammers or security bars (especially on sliding patio doors).
Businesses need to be sure to use commercial grade locks on their building. If you are not sure what type of locks you have you can call your local locksmith to inspect and upgrade your locking hardware.
5. Install a Professionally Monitored Burglar Alarm System
Homes without an alarm are up to 300% more likely to be targeted, while businesses without monitored systems suffer break-ins at nearly triple the rate of protected properties (FBI Uniform Crime Reports, university studies, and National Insurance Crime Bureau data). What features to look for in 2025 for both residential and commercial properties:
Smartphone app control, instant text/voice alerts, and 24/7 professional monitoring that dispatches police in an average of 5–10 minutes
Dual-path communication (cellular + Wi-Fi/landline backup so the signal can’t be cut)
Glass-break sensors, door/window contacts, interior motion detectors (with pet-immune settings for homes), and panic buttons (essential for retail and offices)
Loud outdoor siren and strobe light to draw attention from neighbors or passing traffic
Bonus:
Quick bonus tip everyone forgets: Stop posting real-time vacation photos on social media. Wait until you’re back home—burglars really do scroll Instagram and Facebook for empty houses. Stay safe and enjoy the holidays without becoming another statistic!