We are in the business of protecting our homebuyers by providing proper title insurance for what is often the most significant purchase in their lives. We enjoy working with you as we send them on their way with keys in hand and smiles. Smiles should be extra big around the holidays.
According to a National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), robbery and personal larceny increased by approximately twenty percent during the last month of the year. With the holidays fast approaching, we want to keep that happiness through New Year’s Day and beyond. That’s why we thought it would be a good idea to share some home safety tips with you to keep your clients in the loop and the Christmas spirit intact.
Review these tips with your homeowners to help them keep their days merry and bright.
- Check smoke detectors. Test alarms every month, but it’s critical as families gather for a holiday or are away from home for the holidays.
- Water your tree. A dry tree is highly flammable and won’t last until Christmas if not watered frequently.
- Keep it quiet. Posting holiday plans on social media can inform criminals that homeowners will be away from home. It’s equally as dangerous to “check in” places that let others know where they are traveling.
- Secure your home. If travel plans are in place, safety measures should activate before leaving, such as ensuring security systems are up to date, securing valuables and setting timers for light settings.
- Thaw the bird. Deep frying turkeys are a delicious way to prepare the main dish, but the poultry must be completely thawed, and the fryer must be in an open area and on level ground.
- Return to sender. Pay special attention to subscription deliveries, and stop service while traveling. Cancel orders that will be delivered while the home is vacant.
- Light a candle. Candles should be lit in open spaces and extinguished when no one is home. Old-time movies often show candles as tree decorations, but don’t follow this old-time trend.
- Deliver the packages. Take packages into homes when shopping is done. Leaving these items in vehicles and sight is an invitation to criminals. Also, be aware of where Christmas trees are, especially when the presents are placed. Trees look great in windows, but gifts can be seen, too.
- Turn them off. Turn off all Christmas lights before bed or when leaving home. This also goes for decorations throughout the house.
We hope your clients find this list helpful, and we also want to provide valuable resources. Please contact us here if you would like to see a blog on a particular topic. We look forward to hearing from you.