(NAPSI)—This holiday season, you can give yourself and your family the gift of a more secure home. Consider this: Across the U.S., on average, more than 400,000 burglaries will occur during the holidays, according to the FBI.

What’s more, the holidays are among the busiest times of the year for home invasions. Burglars are more likely to target homes because there may be high-priced gifts inside that are unattended for a long time.

Fortunately, most break-ins can be prevented with a successful home security strategy that involves several layers of protection, from having a trusted person bring in mail and newspapers, to controlling lighting or installing home automation systems for added security. To help you prep for a safe and secure holiday season, Lutron Electronics, a leading manufacturer of lighting controls and home control systems, offers these helpful security tips:

1. Connect lights to timers to give the illusion of activity

Dark, empty, single-family homes are targeted more often than those with bright interiors and exteriors or with people in close proximity. To give the illusion of activity around the house, many homeowners use light timers. Timers can easily be installed on lamps (most just plug in) and are an inexpensive, DIY solution. Set two or three light timers on different floors to turn on at varying times around dusk and off at bedtime.

2. Turn lights on from the car and always enter a lit home

Wireless controls allow lights to be turned on with a remote, up to 100 feet away from home—excellent for turning lights on from the car, so you don’t have to enter a dark home. For example, the Maestro Wireless dimmer with Pico wireless control is an inexpensive, remote solution that replaces any light switch. It can be installed in foyers and mudrooms or used with outdoor, hard-wired lights that line walkways and driveways. This remote-control solution ensures you’ll always enter a well-lit home for added peace of mind.

3. Integrate security and home automation systems

Connect your home automation system to your home security system to control lights, shades and temperature from your security keypad or mobile device—great for travelers.

For example, the RadioRA 2 total home control system lets homeowners press a button on the way out the door to ensure all lights are turned off and all window shades have been lowered. Likewise, if you are heading home in the dark, you can turn on your lights and raise your shades through a smartphone application. An added benefit is you can link it to a security system so if the alarm is tripped, the lights automatically go on to full bright or flash and shades are raised, to draw attention to the house.

If you take these home security precautions, your home is less likely to be targeted during the busy holiday season and year round. For more information on lighting control options that best fit your home and lifestyle, visit www.lutron.com.

 

On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)