Police give tips to keep your home safe during the holidays

You’ve decked the halls, your tree is trimmed, but how secure is your home?

An FBI study found that more than 400,000 burglaries occur in the United States during the months of November and December each year.

“This time of year burglars use this as a time of opportunity looking for gifts, credit cards, cash, anything of value,” said Lt. Mike Kovaleff with the Palm Springs Police Department.

But there are easy things you can do to make your home less of a target.

It may seem obvious but the best tip is lock your doors and windows, even if you’re home.

Put your lights on timers so they turn on while you’re away.

“Make your home look like someone’s home. Make sure the mail isn’t piled up, newspapers piled up, fliers on your doors aren’t gathering,” Kovaleff said.

Make sure you’re blinds are closed so no one can see into your home and be tempted by all the gifts under the tree.

“They’re looking for electronics, televisions, computers, tablets, phones, cash, jewelry, anything that’s readily available to them,” Kovaleff said.

It’s not just burglars you nee to worry about.

The American Red Cross said candle fires are four times as likely to occur in the winter months.

A great alternative, especially if you have pets, are flameless candles.

Police suggest investing in a home security system.

“The most important thing about an alarm system is that it gets the attention of the crook and maybe if the siren goes off then it alerts the neighborhood. And it puts the thief on a timer so they don’t have all the time in the world to start taking things,” Kovaleff said.

Once the holidays are over avoid leaving boxes out from expensive gifts.

It alerts burglars to what they might find inside the house.

Another interesting tip is you shouldn’t be posting on social media what you got from Santa.

It’s just another advertisement to what’s inside your house.