Protect Your Home This Super Bowl Sunday

It’s that time of year again. Football season is drawing to a close and Super Bowl Sunday is finally here. It all comes down to this game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. The Seahawks are the reigning Super Bowl champions while this will be the Patriots’ sixth trip to the Super Bowl in the last fourteen seasons.

The buildup to the big game has been interesting to say the least. Football fans in general and the Pats in particular have had to deal with the “Deflategate” controversy leading up to Super Bowl XLIX. But all that is now in the past as February 1, 2015 draws near. The University of Phoenix Stadium will provide the stage for the Seahawks and the Patriots to collide in what promises to be one of the most epic Super Bowls in history.

Whether you’re one of the lucky few who got tickets to the big game or you’re planning to go out and watch it with your family and friends, there is one thing you may forget amid all the excitement. Your home. Make sure you take steps to ensure your home is adequately protected.

Here’s what you can do to make sure you don’t come back to a home that has been broken into:

1. Double and triple check that all doors and windows are locked – sounds obvious, right? About 40% of break-ins aren’t forced. You’d be surprised at the number of people who forget to lock their homes up properly when they’re in a rush. Yes, you’re excited, we get it. But take an extra minute or two to double check that you’ve secured your home. 
2. Clear up that yard! – Don’t leave anything lying around in your lawn or on your porch. Thieves already have sticky fingers. Don’t hand them your goods on a silver platter by giving them free access to stuff lying around on your property. Make sure all bikes, toys, and valuables are safely secured before leaving your home. 
3. Bring that spare key inside – Are you one of those people who leave a spare key under the welcome mat on the porch? Do yourself a favor and bring it inside. You may think you’ve hid it well but remember burglars know the tools of the trade when it comes to breaking and entering. 
4. Shine those lights–Breaking in is an act best carried out in stealth mode. Bright lights aren’t conducive to being stealthy. Make sure your property is well lit in the front, and also at the back and sides. 
5. Put up some signs – If you have a home security system installed, put up signs. If there are sign posts and stickers on your property that let people know the property is being monitored. Thieves are likely to think twice before attempting anything. 
6. Install cameras – What a way to tell someone that you’ve got your eye on them. Make sure your cameras are pointed at all important locations on your property. These include your driveway, your porch/front door, side alleys, backyard, etc. Ask any criminal – it’s more than a little inconvenient to have an ominous camera pointing in your direction while you’re trying to commit a crime. 
7. Do some landscaping – Do you have large shrubs or bushes on your property? Any vegetation that can act as a good hide-out for criminals should be rethought. It may make your garden look pretty, but it can also be used as a refuge for potential burglars. This type of security technique is called Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED). Customize your property in such a way that there is nothing that can be used by criminals to their advantage. You may also want to consider planting some thorny shrubs directly underneath any windows as cushioning for unsuspecting thieves. 
8. Alert the Neighborhood Watch–If your community has a Neighborhood Watch, let them know you’re planning to be out of the house. That way an extra patrol can be made around your house and its surrounding vicinity. If you don’t have Neighborhood Watch, give your neighbors a heads-up. Ask them to keep an eye on your property while you’re out.

By taking these steps, you can have peace of mind knowing you’ve done all that you could to deter criminals from targeting your home. Once everything is secure on the home front, you can divert your full and undivided attention to the excitement and drama of the biggest day in football season! Kick back, grab your favorite snacks, chocolates, and drinks and watch the fate of the two best teams of the year be decided right before your eyes.