If you’re planning any trips this year, the time to start making security considerations is NOW. Here are a few home security improvements you can make to prepare for an upcoming trip.

Tips for Securing the Interior

Here are some simple ways to secure the interior of your home, which you can implement while planning your vacation:

• Install a light timer to turn lights on and off on a schedule
• Keep any valuables hidden away in a safe, or at least away from curious eyes
• Rely on friends and family to go inside your home while you’re away and check on things
• Upgrade the locks on your home to combination, fingerprint or code entry
• Hire a house sitter if you want extra peace of mind

Tips for Securing the Exterior

Here are some simple ways to secure the exterior of your home, which you can implement while planning your vacation:

• Ensure all outdoor lights (and their bulbs) are working properly
• Keep security cameras pointed in important areas, like the front door
• Invest in a video doorbell to identify visitors while on the go
• Consider installing sensors on your doors or windows to alert you when they’re broken or opened
• Put a security yard sign or sticker on display, even if you don’t have a subscription
• Leave a car in the driveway or hire a lawn care company to make sure it doesn’t look like your home has been vacant for an extended period

Other Security Issues to Consider

There are other big issues to think about when vacationing that have nothing to do with the interior or exterior. Social media, for example, can tip off potential criminals if you disclose where you are or (or the fact you’re away from your home). As can an overloaded mailbox. Try to keep all of your trip info disclosed until after you’re back and try to get a trusted friend or family member to check in on your home every so often while you’re away.

Whether you’re planning a vacation or you’d simply like an expert’s opinion on your home security levels, we’re here for you. Contact A-1 Locksmith today with any questions you have, or visit one of our Dallas-Fort Worth locations today.

Let’s take a look at a few movies out there that can actually give you some great ideas for improving the security of your home, business or automobile.

     1. Home Alone (1990)

This classic movie is full of great security ideas (as well as a few we probably wouldn’t recommend). For example, you shouldn’t let anyone in your house without the proper credentials or ID. Many criminals will pose as professional service providers to enter your home, hoping you won’t look too closely at their vehicle, uniforms or identification. 

Another security improvement inspired by this movie is putting your lights on timers to make it appear like someone is at home. (No cardboard cutouts needed, however.) 

     2. Jurassic Park (1993)

Here’s a movie where we can learn from a security breach instead of an improvement. The plot involves an IT professional who is bribed by competitors to steal dinosaur samples, which involves all sorts of unrecommended security techniques (installed malware, disabled security systems, etc.). For commercial environments in particular, this shows the importance of keeping digital information secure and only giving security control to people you trust. A master key system, for example, could be a security improvement inspired by this movie.

     3. The Imitation Game (2014)

This film centered around a brilliant mathematician and early computers, but it also set the stage for modern cybersecurity measures and automated response. Thanks to the work of Alan Turin and his team, we can now enjoy things like monitored surveillance systems, doorbell cameras and fast responses from surveillance companies. 

     4. Fast & Furious Series

Lots of lessons can be learned from this uber-popular movie series. There are so many heists, capers, missions and explosions that it can make your head spin. But the series does center around cars and offers some valuable tips for automobile security. In particular, it shows the importance of locking doors and keeping valuables secure, even if the car is moving. But there are also reminders about the benefits of key fobs, alarm systems and other security add-ons.

     5. Any Horror Film

Want to learn what NOT to do? Watch your typical horror movie with characters who make poor decisions. These security improvements go back to the basics, stressing the importance of closing and locking doors behind you, checking for risks before entering an unknown space and calling emergency professionals if you’re in an unsafe situation. 

If you’re interested in additional security improvements you can make, contact A-1 Locksmith today at (972) 284-7500.

Do you qualify for any security-related tax breaks? Let’s go over five of the most common ones and see if you qualify.

1. Car Tracking Services

Many insurance companies will offer a discount if you have a stolen vehicle recovery system installed, but you can use this to your advantage during tax season if your employer doesn’t reimburse you for it. This applies to company vehicles and vehicles you use for company purposes, such as delivering products. If it’s a professional expense that isn’t reimbursed, there’s a good chance it’s a tax break. 

2. Home Office Security Improvements

Any security improvements you make to your home office can also be written off and you get more of a break if the improvements are exclusive to your home office. So if you buy and install a security camera in your home office, it’s a tax break. As would reinforcing windows in your home office or installing locks on the doors.

3. Whole-Home Security Improvements

You can also write off certain improvements to other areas of your home, if they impact the security of your entire home including your home office. For example, if your home office takes up 20 percent of the square footage of your home, you can write off 20 percent of expenses that impact the whole home. A surveillance system and new locks on the fence gate both qualify for at least a small percentage of security expenses you can write off.

4. Unreimbursed Business Expenses

If you have a security-related expense that your employer won’t cover, you can potentially write it off on your taxes. For example, if you have a business trip and you want to secure your luggage with a new lock that your employer won’t cover, it could qualify for a small tax break. Or, you could write off a portion of your internet service if you use it for monitoring a company vehicle. These unreimbursed business expenses can add up over time.

5. Unused Budgetary Considerations

Finally, while it’s not necessarily a tax break, the end of the year is a good time for making business improvements in general. Whether you own a business or lead a specific department, maximizing your budget will ensure you can expect the same amount next year. If you have room in your budget for security improvements, now is the time to make them.

We’re not CPAs and encourage you to talk with a financial advisor on your specific tax handling for security-related purchases. Whether your security improvement qualifies for a tax break or not, if you’re looking to enhance the security of your home or office, contact the team at A-1 Locksmith today.