The clocks go back on Sunday, November 1. In Toronto, home break-ins peak in December, when the days are shortest, and Friday is the worst day of the week, with 59% more break-ins than the quietest day. That comes from our analysis of Toronto Police open data. See the full findings.
Here's what helps most for the dark months. None of these need a monthly subscription. New here? Use code WELCOME10 for 10% off your first order.
1. See who's at the door, and who takes the parcel
Battery video doorbell with local storage, $109.99. Holiday deliveries mean more parcels sitting on porches. Get an alert on your phone, talk to whoever's there, and keep the clip without paying for a plan. No wiring, so it works for renters and condos too.
2. Light up the dark spots
Solar motion floodlight, $53.99. The cheapest upgrade on this list. A side gate, back door or driveway that lights up when someone walks in is a lot less inviting. Solar, so there's no electrician and no wiring.
See the floodlight → · Will solar work at your place in December?
3. Watch the cottage you just closed up
4G solar pan-tilt camera with a 64GB card, $209.99. For a cottage, cabin or job site with no Wi-Fi. It connects over the mobile network (you'll need a data SIM from your carrier) and runs on solar, so you can check in from home all winter.
4. Know where your car is
4G GPS vehicle tracker, $49.99. Hide it in the car and see its location in an app if it's ever taken. Uses a data SIM from your own carrier.
See the tracker → · More car theft protection
Free things to do this week
- Put indoor lights on timers before the clocks change, so the house doesn't look empty at 5 pm.
- Don't leave delivery boxes at the curb. They advertise what's inside.
- Check your own neighbourhood's break-in rate: all 158 Toronto neighbourhoods.
Prices in Canadian dollars before tax. Free standard shipping on orders of $75 CAD or more to Canada and the US. Break-in figures are from Toronto Police Service open data; the analysis is ours.