Often during the holiday season safety takes a back seat because people are rushing to get their shopping done. This year, the pandemic also is likely distracting consumers from other safety measures.
"I hope everyone gets to enjoy this holiday season and stays safe and healthy. It is also important to keep your guard up because the month of December has the highest rate of home crime and holiday scams, especially when more people are shopping online during the pandemic," says Mary Kay Groth, president of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors.
The Silicon Valley Association of Realtors shares the following holiday safety tips for the home:
* Keep the outside of your home well-lit. When you leave your home, place your inside lights on timers to make it appear occupied.
* Follow the 3 ft.-10 ft. rule. Keep your shrubs trimmed to about three feet and tree heights to no more than 10 feet to prevent burglars from lurking around your home.
* Make sure you always close and lock the front door.
* Do not place gifts under the Christmas tree where burglars can see them. Place a blanket over the presents, so they are not in full view of a window.
* Do not overload wall outlets and extension cords.
* Never use indoor extension cords outside. Place electric converters above ground and away from puddles of water.
* If you have a live Christmas tree, cut two inches off the trunk, and mount the tree on a sturdy stand. Keep the tree well-supplied with water and away from candles or a fireplace.
* After the holidays, do not advertise your gifts by leaving their boxes at the curb for garbage collection. It is best to take the big boxes to the recycling center.
Be aware of these holiday scams:
* Be aware that skimmers thieves place on ATM machines are looking more authentic and harder to detect. It is also best to use an ATM that is inside a secure building, or in a well-lit area.
* Always check your receipt after your leave a store, especially when you have used your debit card. Make sure it does not say that you received cash back when you did not.
* Only give to charities that are well-established. Do not get fooled just because the charity says donations go to children. Never give out your credit card information to a charity over the phone.
* Check the shipping company and phone number on the note on parcels left outside your door. The note may ask you to call a phone number that is overseas, and you will be charged high rates. Never give your personal information, or the times when you will be away from home.
* Only buy gift cards at stores you know. Always check the receipt and make sure the code is not scratched.
* These days scammers are getting more intrusive and sending text messages with links, some of which are unexplained. Do not answer texts from unfamiliar senders or click on the link contained in the text.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.