The Christmas season is in full swing, which means it’s once again time for ugly sweaters, eggnog, bonuses, It’s a Wonderful Life, and traveling to see your loved ones on that special day.

Although most people are bringing good tidings to each other and wishing one another a happy new year, others are not. While you’re away singing carols, visiting grandkids, and enjoying your Christmas vacation, home intruders are preparing to invade your home, which is why you need to consider taking the necessary precautions before traveling.

Here are a few home protection tips that will make sure your presents go to whomever they’re intended for, and not to Greasy Joe down at the pawn shop.

Motion Sensor Lights.

One of the best ways to beef up your home protection is to get some motion sensor lights, which will automatically turn on when someone or something is in your backyard. These are an affordable investment, and are also pretty handy when you’re stepping out or coming home for the night. Most residential fencing options can have motion sensor lights built on to their gates and fences, and are typically bright enough to even light up nearby residential driveways. If you’re serious about home protection, seriously consider getting motion sensor lights.

Get an Automatic Timer For Your Lights.

If lighting up your backyard is a great way to beef up your home protection, then getting an automatic timer for your indoor lights also works great, too. Burglars are far less likely to break in when they think someone is home, which they’ll assume when they see your lights are on. Best of all, the automatic timer will also turn them off to make it look like you’ve gone to bed for the night (and so you don’t run up your electric bill, too). Plus, it’ll also turn them back on, too, if you’re gone for a few days.

Lock Your Windows.

It sounds obvious, but too many people forget about it. If you want to increase your home protection, you need to lock your windows. Besides, it’s winter, so chances are it won’t be too big of a pain to lock them and leave them locked, since odds are you’re not going to open them back up again or anything.

These are just a few ways you can make your house more secure. If you have any other home protection tips, feel free to ask in the comments.