It’s Christmas! You are probably all excited. You will be shopping, wrapping gifts, decorating your house, and even putting decorations up outside. You never once stop to think about safety outside of your home or someone possibly stalking, or stealing during this holiday season. Your attitude probably is “It won’t happen to me.” Think again, especially now.
The economy is bad and people are out of work or losing their jobs. They still want a Christmas with their family too. They may not be trying to hurt anyone. Their thought process is that they want to provide for their family and right now stealing is the only way they can. If you are rational you don’t think like this and possibly don’t understand this thinking. So think Safety. Think of your family, your children. Think safety outside of the house when considering decorations.
Several friends of mine live in really nice neighborhoods. One of the neighborhoods is even gated. This doesn’t prevent crime although it is supposed to lessen the probability. I say living in nice neighborhoods puts a bigger target on you and your belongings. If you live in a crack town chances are good your home won’t be burglarized because it is assumed you have the same type of belongings as the thief – none. (Or the thief figures you will just steal his/her stuff).
The point is the nicer neighborhoods are greater targets and the easier it is to get into the community the more likely the chance of crime. So think safety when thinking out door decorations. The brighter your yard is the less likely to be hit. On the other hand you may not leave your lights on all night. If you plan to turn the lights off or if your lights are on a timer consider the fact that your decorations will also draw attention. If you have expensive yard ornaments and decorations the wrong type of person may notice.
For fire safety and walking hazards, you are not going to want a lot of wires going through your yard to different decorations. Limit the amount of yard ornaments that need electricity.
For your personal safety you do not want to put up a lot of tall yard ornaments that you can’t see around and/or over. Someone can easily sneak around your decorations and hide.
You also don’t want to put large ornaments near the proximity of windows, doors, or garage openings. Hiding spots close to entrances increases the risk of intruders.
Think safety in choosing your yard ornaments. One decoration that I do recommend is sidewalk lights, candy cane poles that go into your yard. Anything with solar power that glows at night is especially safe and will hinder intruders from invading your personal space.
Decorations that are small or thin are also great safety decorations because it will be less likely that someone could hide behind them.
Don’t let paranoia overcome your holiday spirit. Think safety when choosing yard decorations and decorate away!
