The busy holiday season is here, complete with family gatherings, gift giving and holiday parties. Home burglaries tend to increase during December, so keep your home and family safe with the following tips:

– Keep your valuables out of sight and keep curtains and blinds closed. Your home could become a target if burglars can view computers, televisions and other expensive electronics from the street. Lock your doors and windows, even when you are at home. Don’t answer the door to someone you don’t know, thieves could be checking out your valuables!

– Install timers to turn on indoor and outdoor lights when you are out for the evening or traveling. You can also make your home look lived in with motion detector lights and timers to activate TVs and radios inside your home.

– The best protection against home burglaries is a monitored home security system. Homes with a security system are three times less likely to be burglarized. The investment will keep your home and family safe and provide peace of mind.