The most wonderful time of the year for many — including criminals — is upon us. Ensure that your multifamily community and its residents are prepared for the holiday season by sharing these holiday security tips in your next community newsletter.
Secure the perimeter
Make sure all of your doors and windows are locked prior to leaving your home. Most break-ins are done without force. Simply making sure all of your entry ways are locked can be a big deterrent.
Review community guest policies
With the influx of foot traffic during the holiday season, it’s important to remind residents that they are responsible for the conduct and safety of their guests. It’s also important to share rules for guests and overnight visitors, holiday parking changes, or any other restricted activities. Some important things to clarify:
– What CDC restrictions/guidelines are currently in place?
– Are guests able to stay overnight?
– How long are guests allowed to stay before it becomes a violation of the lease agreement?
– Where are guests allowed to park?
– Do guests need permits to park on-site or nearby?
A few gentle reminders can go a long way towards preventing unnecessary security risks.
If you are leaving town…
Put a hold on mail
Put your mail delivery on hold until you return. Putting a hold on your mail and the newspaper will keep them from piling up and letting people know you are not home.
Install timers
Put certain lights within your home on timers. This will give the appearance that your home is occupied, reducing the likelihood of a break-in.
Wait to share
Refrain from posting about your holiday on social media until you return home. While it is exciting to let all of your friends and followers know where you are going, this also means that onlookers can see that you will be leaving your home unattended.
With these simple holiday security tips in mind, HandyTrac would like to wish everyone a safe and relaxing holiday season!
Resources:
The Moran Group. 2018. 10 Holiday Tips for Property Managers and Tenants. Retrieved from femoran.com
