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We all like to consider ourselves knowledgeable about safety and security
in our daily lives, but almost everyone I know has been a victim of a
crime. We've seen on the news, families whose homes were burglarized while
away at the funeral of their loved one. Do we ever think about that
happening to us while gone all day at our wedding and reception and later
on our honeymoons?
First, our engagement announcement hits the local paper. In it, we share
our names, place of employment, and date we will be gone all day at our
wedding and reception. Then, we can be seen carrying loads of gifts into
our homes after our bridal showers. People from out of town send cash
gifts, or store-bought gifts and our delivery-person leaves them on the
porch, or in the hallway. I don't want to make anyone paranoid, but a few
extra steps and extra caution could stop a criminal in his tracks.
First, be a bit more general in your engagement announcement. Instead of
the wedding date, try something like, "A spring wedding is
planned" or "The happy couple's plans include a beautiful
outdoor wedding in early fall". As far as the places of employment,
another unnecessary piece of information the newspapers use as filler
text. If it's not important to you, leave it out.
When returning home from your shower with gifts, try to get as many people
helping as you can, one load in attracts much less attention than four or
five trips. Unbox and use as many gifts as you can. If a break in happens,
gifts that are in their original boxes are first grabbed. For example, a
burglar is much more likely to grab your $300 cookware set still in the
original box, than they will dig through your cupboards grabbing pots and
pans. If possible, keep the gifts you aren't using immediately at your
parents house, or a friend's house until you are able to unbox and use
them. Deposit monetary gifts in a bank account immediately.
Inform your delivery person to deliver with your signature only, to not
leave any packages at the door. Don't tell them why; just ask them to
deliver with signature only. Make arrangements with your post office to
hold your mail while on your honeymoon or better yet, have a friend or
family member stop by at random times on different days while you're gone
to pick up your mail and check on things. Don't forget to set not only
lights with timers, but radios or TV's as well, make it "sound"
like someone is home.
Last but not least, when changing your name on credit cards, or other
important documents, always use a "corded" phone. You don't want
to be announcing your social security number, mother’s maiden name or
credit card numbers over cordless phone waves. Cordless phones are very
easy to eavesdrop on.
Just a few precautionary steps can protect yourself and your home during
this wonderful event. Don't make it easy for a crime to happen.
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