Updated 18 October 2026
For your home
- Check every lock, including the side door, basement windows and the door from the garage into the house.
- Light the outside. Put porch and driveway lights on timers or motion sensors before the clocks go back.
- Deal with deliveries. Use a video doorbell, a parcel locker, or have parcels sent to work or a neighbour.
- Do not advertise your trip. Post holiday photos when you are home, not while you are away.
- Make the house look lived in. Lamps on timers, a neighbour to clear snow and pick up flyers.
- Hide new gift boxes. Break boxes down and put them out on collection day, not days before.
- Test your alarm. Arm it, check every sensor, replace low batteries, and confirm your monitoring contacts are current.
For your business
- Review who has keys and codes. Remove anyone who has left, especially seasonal staff.
- Check camera views. Make sure cameras still see doors and tills now that it is dark at closing time, and that recording is working.
- Update holiday hours on your alarm schedule and with your monitoring company.
- Keep cash low and the till drawer open and empty overnight.
- Clear the windows so passing patrols can see inside.
Want a second pair of eyes? We offer a free security site survey for homes and businesses across Windsor-Essex. See home security or business security.