Creating and Continuing the Legacy of Knoxville’s Favorite Lunch Spot

Everyone loves The Lunchbox! Everything Knoxville is honored to share the history, guiding principles, and the exciting future of this beloved lunch spot that celebrates its 40th Anniversary in 2021. We were delighted to meet founder Karen Sproles recently and asked her to tell us how it all began.

Here is Karen’s story:

In 1979, I found myself a single mom with two young daughters and had to come to grips with how I was going to support us. I have a degree in math education, but after a year of teaching, realized that it was not my joy or calling. Growing up in Wisconsin, surrounded by the influence of my grandmother and mother – the best natural cooks ever – caring for people with food had become a part of me. Foodservice was a natural – but how? I had no formal training, just instincts.

There were very few restaurants in downtown Knoxville in 1980 and a large workforce of daytime-only professionals and office staff. Committed to being available for my children, I thought if I opened a small, lunch-only restaurant, I could be home on weekends and when they got home from school.

I stumbled across a little building (across from the City County building) where the owners were very receptive to the idea of a restaurant. After readying the space, we printed 1,000 flyers to announce our concept and opening date and then delivered them to the offices within walking distance. Bringing pots and pans from home, having seating for only 24, no dishwasher or prep space, and three employees, we launched on June 7, 1981. We set a goal for sales on day one and exceeded it – running out of everything!

Two weeks after opening, I met my future husband, Don Sproles. He endeared himself to my daughters and often showed up at The Lunchbox on Sunday afternoons when we were trying to get a jump on food for the week. Before long he was rolling up his sleeves and taking over at the cash register. We were married July 3, 1982, choosing that day so we’d have a three-day weekend for a “honeymoon.”

In 1985, we expanded the building to 45 seats and later moved to our dream space (in one weekend and didn’t miss a day!) in the First Tennessee Plaza.

With more than half of our business as take-out, we then established a central kitchen and Market/Café on Center Park Drive in the mid-1990s. This allowed us to prepare and deliver fresh food every day to our locations around town while enabling our customers to serve themselves – to eat in, to take back to their offices, to take home, or all three in one efficient stop!

My business philosophy is summed up in four words: Honesty, Service, Respect, and Accountability. We aimed to be much more than a sandwich; the goal was feel good food. My mantra to my new employees was always “Our customers have probably had a stressful morning. It’s our job to send them back to work feeling better than when they came in!”

The Lunchbox is why I encourage others to “listen to your heart!” I was tracked to be a teacher – who knew cooking for people you care about could be a career?

Everything Knoxville then had the opportunity to talk to current owners, Randy and Trish Holmes, who are committed to maintaining Karen’s business philosophy. The staff at all three locations sung their praises for continuing the tradition of The Lunchbox. The entire Holmes family have been long-time “regulars” – both as customers and employees – and were eager to keep the restaurant going. 

EK: Why did you decide to invest in The Lunchbox? 

Randy: The Atrium location of The Lunchbox on Weisgarber was our go-to lunch spot almost daily when we had our medical device business. I was (and still am!) a huge fan of the chicken salad and chili! When we were approached about buying the business in 2018, it was a no-brainer. The Lunchbox has been a Knoxville icon since the ’80s. It began as a “family business,” and we wanted to keep it that way. 

Trish: Our oldest daughter, Hollie, and son-in-law, Ean Hurst (General Manager), along with my brother, Matthew Wise (Operations Manager), were employees of The Lunchbox, so we knew it was already managed very well. Today, our youngest daughter, Allie, handles the social media/marketing, our middle daughter, Lacie, occasionally helps with baking, while her husband, Eric Childers (son-in-law #2), helps me with the accounting side of the business. It can truly still be labeled a “family business.” 

EK: There are many options for food in Knoxville. Why do you think The Lunchbox has such staying power?

Randy: The difference is “the formula hasn’t changed.” We have made sure to stay as true to Karen’s recipes as we can, which continue to be the heartbeat and foundation of The Lunchbox. The signature chicken salad, soups, fresh sandwiches, and ready-to-go desserts have always been a major draw.

Trish: Our downtown Market Manager, Josephine, has been with The Lunchbox for too many years to count! She has been making these “tried and true” recipes from scratch for more than 20 years. With her customer service and know-how, we knew to stick with what worked. Rhonda, our Market Manager at The Atrium, has taken customer service to the next level, greeting customers daily with smiles and gratitude.

EK: The Lunchbox definitely falls in to the “beloved Knoxville institution” category. What are your business goals as The Lunchbox moves forward?

Randy: We continue to offer homestyle, quality foods that people keep coming back to, and our mission is to stay consistent in honoring The Lunchbox legacy. We would love to reach more of Knoxville so everyone can enjoy the same sandwiches and soups that we have always loved! Dine-in or carry-out for lunch and beyond. Convenience is the name of the game!

Trish: We also have boxed lunches for delivery. It is nice for everyone to have their own portion without needing to share off a common tray. The majority of our deliveries are to businesses, but we cater to any size group. Order from The Lunchbox to be the lunchtime hero!  

EK: What are your plans for The Lunchbox in the future?

Trish: New menu items are being tested monthly. Our Kitchen Manager, Rebecca Combs, has been very creative in adding more items to our Take and Bake and catering menus. Our catering options are perfect for lunch meetings and large or small groups. The boxed lunches continue to be a big hit! We have several concepts and ideas that we plan to launch soon, as we anticipate the economy opening back up in the coming months.

Randy: As Knoxville continues to open up, all three locations – downtown near Krutch Park at The US Bank building, Bearden near Homberg, and The Atrium on Weisgarber – are excited to welcome regulars and “newbies” again!

We look forward to continuing the great tradition of The Lunchbox and serving the Knoxville community for years to come. Come see us!

The Lunchbox

Bearden/Homberg
5005 Kingston Pike
865.249.6010

The Atrium
1225 E Weisgarber Road
865.602.2232

Downtown at The US Bank Building
607 Market Street
865.409.4211

www.lunchboxknoxville.com

Need a Custom Closet?

5 Questions to Ask Yourself

Are you always sorting through the never-ending amount of garments you have hanging in your closet just to put together the single outfit you had in mind? Can’t find the pants to match the shirt? Or the shoes to match the pants?

While life can be messy and disorganized, a closet should not be. Closets should make life easier. A custom closet that’s designed and organized based on your needs provides much more organization and maximizes storage space, which means less frustration.

Tailored Living of Knoxville professionals will meet with you in your home, listen to your specific needs, and work with you to design a space that fits your everyday lifestyle. Here are some preliminary questions to ask yourself before calling for your in-home consultation:

1. How much space do I have to work with?
This is the primary aspect to factor into your closet planning. Knowing how much space you have will help the professional Tailored Living designer determine the best organizational system for your closet. Also consider ceiling height when you take inventory of the closet space. Making use of every inch can be important if you’re working with a small space.

2. What is my budget?
While the cost really depends on the size of your closet, a basic system with hanging rod and shelves will cost less than including cabinets and drawers. Additionally, the finish color you choose will impact your budget. A white finish will always be less expensive than wood grains and darker finishes.

3. What types of clothing am I storing?

Some people only want to hang shirts, blouses, and pants in their closet and leave other items such as undergarments stored in a bedroom dresser. Think about what types of clothing and accessories you want to store inside your closet and it will help you put together a picture of your organizational needs.

4. Which accessories and organizers do I need?

Convenient accessories like jewelry drawers, fold-out ironing boards, tilt-out hampers, drawer organizers, and pullout belt racks are among the many options that bring more order to the closet and help you easily find items.

5. What do you want to display for convenience?

From ladies’ scarves to men’s ties, for multiple items of the same type of clothing there are closet organizers and designs that provide convenience and style.

These are just a few ideas to keep in mind when thinking about your custom closet design. Once you have considered your budget, what you need to store, and the space you have, Tailored Living of Knoxville will design a custom closet system with features built around you and your lifestyle!

Tailored Living featuring PremierGarage
865.947.8686
www.TailoredLivingKnoxville.com

Summer Safety Reminders for Pets

With summer upon us, vacations and holidays, including the 4th of July and Labor Day, are a time of celebrations. Your pets’ safety and happiness should be a continued priority while planning these events. Because everyone is tempted to include their four-legged kids in their outings and vacations, Ms. C’s would like to offer some hazardous facts to take into consideration before you take your fur baby with you.

Leaving your pets in the car alone, even if you park in a shaded area and are away for only a short time, spells danger. Car interiors can reach 120º even in the shade, so never leave your pet in the car. Even with the windows cracked, the heat index rises extremely quickly, potentially causing suffocation. Be a good pet parent by not risking your dog’s safety this summer.

Loud noises and crowds at outdoor picnics make most pets nervous. Scared dogs can quickly develop into anxious, easily overheated dogs, especially in warmer weather. Dogs don’t perspire; they dispel body heat by panting and through the pads of their feet. For overheated pets, heat exhaustion and heat stroke can result in brain damage and possibly death. Consider the comfort – both emotional and temperature – of your dog before including them in your outings.

To assure their safety, security, and happiness, give your pet his own “doggy vacation” at Ms. C’s Bed & Biscuits. Day camp is offered Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm. Outside play time, plus an air-conditioned private suite with fresh water available continuously, allows him time to relax and rejuvenate throughout the day.

Summer overnight “camp” is filling up quickly! Ms. C’s takes reservations up to six months in advance, so call 865-986-6325 today or click the “book a reservation” tab on the website.

Ms. C’s Bed & Biscuits
2145 Beals Chapel Road
Lenoir City, TN 37772
865.986.6325
www.MsCsBedandBiscuits.com

Reclaim Your Tile & Grout Floors

By Christina Fitzwilliam, Co-owner of Surface Doc, Inc.

If your floors are dingy no matter how much you clean them, we can help!

Did you know that the more often you clean your tile and grout floors, the dingier and dirtier they appear? Over time, dirt and contaminants are absorbed into the porous surfaces of your floor. Cleaning chemicals often have the same effect. Your floor acts as a sponge and absorbs all sorts of foreign matter and locks it deep within where no amount of scrubbing will help its appearance. The unsuspecting homeowner will often try all sorts of cleaning chemicals in hopes of success, all the while making it worse. Sadly, traditional cleaning methods simply are not able to extract the grime that is embedded in your surfaces. If you are wondering how dirty your floors really are, simply compare the grout in an unused corner to the rest of the floor. You may be shocked.

It takes a three-step process to extract the grime embedded below the surface. High heat opens the pores in your floor. Powerful suction draws the dirt out to be whisked away. High pressure and a quality emulsifier are also needed to complete the process of removing all the junk below the surface. ONLY the perfect combination of heat, extraction, and pressure will be effective.

Many homeowners opt to have their newly cleaned floors sealed. Surface Doc’s sealer provides the ultimate protection for most hard surfaces, including natural stone floors, tile and grout, and concrete. The sealer’s molecules penetrate deep within and bond permanently together, creating a deep barrier of protection.

John and his crew are experts at cleaning inside and out. They can tackle the biggest jobs, from kitchens and bathrooms to the driveway, pool, and deck. Surface Doc has become the leader in this area for hard surface restoration, as well as carpet restoration. The estimate is free, and the service is affordable and effective. Visit www.surfacedoc.com to see before and after photos, as well as streaming videos of John’s cleaning tools in action. Give Surface Doc a call today to request a free, no hassle home demonstration.

Surface Doc
865.567.1986
www.SurfaceDoc.com

An Answer for Cellulite

INTRODUCING QWO: The first and only FDA-approved injectable for the treatment of moderate to severe cellulite in the buttocks of adult women. Injections are administered in a series of three treatments spaced three weeks apart, and visible results may be achieved in 10 weeks. In clinical trials, women required no post-treatment downtime. 

About 90% of Women Deal with Cellulite
Cellulite is a natural part of women’s biology. About 9 out of 10 women deal with it in their lifetime. Together, there are three things that cause cellulite’s signature dimples: Over time, skin thins, fat cells enlarge and push against the skin, and the fibrous bands under the skin’s surface thicken and cause tension.

How QWO Targets Cellulite
QWO is made from enzymes called collagenases. These enzymes are thought to target the structural causes under the skin, where cellulite starts. It’s thought that QWO works by releasing fibrous bands, redistributing fat cells, and stimulating the growth of new collagen.

People in the Know Are Loving QWO
Since the injection’s FDA approval last July, QWO has won a 2020 Future of Beauty Award from Elle Magazine and has been labeled a top innovation in NewBeauty’s 2021 awards.

Learn What Options Are Right for You
While 9 out of 10 women have cellulite, most women also have a combination of cellulite and skin laxity on their bottoms and thighs that causes the lumpy cottage cheese skin characteristic of cellulite. Southeastern Dermatology offers other treatments to address skin laxity. 

Radio Frequency to Correct Skin Laxity
Morpheus8 is a fractional device that uses radiofrequency (RF) and microneedling to activate collagen production in the deeper layers of the skin and mold fat subdermally to produce a sleeker and smoother appearance. It has been approved by the FDA as a Subdermal Adipose Remodeling Device because it treats the deeper layers of the skin rather than just the surface. Another option, Evolve Trim, is a non-invasive treatment that targets dimpled skin and cellulite and works by leveraging a combination of radiofrequency energy, deep tissue heating, and vacuum designed to provide maximum results. Radiofrequency energy distributes heat to the skin and underlying fat, causing the tissues to heat. The vacuum and controlled energy pulses then work synergistically to provide natural body shaping results.

Call 865-474-8800 to Get Started
We have multiple options to treat your cellulite. Give us a call to schedule a consultation to see which cellulite treatment is right for you.

Southeastern Dermatology
1930 Pinnacle Pointe Way
Knoxville, TN 37922
865.474.8800
www.drdoppelt.com

“There Was Absolutely No Dust!”

When Tellico Village resident Robert Ericson was asked about his experience using European Fine Hardwood Floors, he responded that he was totally satisfied with the refinishing work that they had performed in his home. His house was built in 2000 and originally had laminate flooring installed. Years later, Robert had the laminate replaced with pre-finished oak hardwood flooring. Unfortunately, the new flooring developed “cupping,” which was not covered by the flooring manufacture’s warranty. Robert was left with the choice of replacing the existing oak flooring or refinishing the flooring. In 2016, Robert decided to refinish, and he selected European Fine Hardwood Floors to perform the work.

European Fine Hardwood Floors offers area homeowners a totally unique experience in hardwood floor refinishing. By combining the skills learned from European craftsmen with the latest technological advances available in the refinishing marketplace, they can easily restore your home’s hardwood floors to their original showroom quality look. If your home’s hardwood floors are faded, cupped, scratched, dented, and gouged, then European Fine Hardwood Floors can help.

The first step for Robert was to contact European Fine Hardwood Floors to request his no-cost, no-obligation, in-home consultation. Robert also decided to change the stain color of his flooring, and the work was performed to his complete satisfaction. European Fine Hardwood Floors’ fully insured and bonded craftsmen also efficiently removed the dust resulting from the refinishing process out-of-doors using high-volume hoses attached to high-capacity vacuums with HEPA filters, which remained outside Robert’s home.

When asked if he was happy with the minimal amount of dust resulting from the refinishing project, Robert was quick to point out that the floor refinishing project resulted in zero dust. “I wiped my hand across our dining room table adjacent to where the floors had been refinished,” said Robert. “There was absolutely no dust!”

Recipient of the much-coveted Bona Certified Craftsman designation, this is your assurance that all work performed by European Fine Hardwood Floors is compliant with the standards set by the number one name and leader in the world’s refinishing marketplace: Bona.

“I’m often hesitant to recommend contractors to friends and neighbors, but I’m not the least bit reluctant to recommend European Fine Hardwood Floors,” said Robert. “In fact, we just recommended them to friends who recently had worked performed by them and that are just as pleased as we were with their finished work.”

Although the floors were refinished five years ago, they look as if they were refinished only yesterday.

European Fine Hardwood Floors
865.640.3680
www.knoxvillehardwoodrefinishing.com

Did You Notice This Proposed Tax Increase?

By Yvonne Marsh, CFP®, CPA

There’s a lot of press surrounding President Biden’s proposed personal tax increases to help pay for the American Families Plan, and it’s important to know which ones apply to you and your family. At the moment, these proposals are just that – and not final. Here are two potential tax increases that get a lot of press but probably won’t affect you:

• Individuals with taxable income over $523,600 and couples over $628,300 would revert to a 39.6% top tax bracket from the current 37%.
• Households with over $1 million in income would see the base tax rate on capital gains and qualified dividends increase from 20% to 39.6%. This type of income would continue to be subject to the 3.8% net investment income tax.

But there is a third proposed change based on assets rather than income that I find the most compelling to watch and which will, arguably, affect more people:

• The elimination of the step-up in basis for inherited non-retirement assets.

Currently, if you buy a share of stock and sell it for a profit, you pay capital gains tax on the profit. Or if you never sold it and passed the stock to your heirs, the entire embedded gain goes away – your heir escapes taxation. But under this new proposal, death is treated like a sale, and your heirs would have to recognize the capital gain you never did. This would apply to non-retirement investment accounts, vacation homes, rental property, family businesses, farms, etc. This rule has a $1 million exemption, so that helps lessen the impact for many households.

Keep your eye on the expiration of the current personal tax rates, which are already legislated to expire in 2025. Taxes will never be cheaper than they are right now, and multi-year systematic Roth conversion strategies should be an integral part of your tax planning between now and then. Needless to say, proactive tax planning will continue to be imperative under these constantly shifting sands of the tax code!

Join me June 15th on Zoom to learn more.

Marsh Wealth Management, LLC
Fiduciary Registered Investment Advisor
504 Ebenezer Road
Knoxville, TN 37923
865.622.2162
www.marshwealth.com

Financial Planning & Investment Advisory Services are offered through Marsh Wealth Management, LLC (“MWM”), an independent investment advisor registered with the state of Tennessee. Yvonne Marsh is an Investment Advisor Representative of MWM in the state of Tennessee. Marsh Professional Group, LLC is a TN registered public accounting firm and a separate legal entity from MWM. For a detailed discussion of MWM and their investment advisory fees, see the firm’s Form ADV on file with the SEC at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

The Burwell Building and the Curious Case of “The Human Fly”

On April 7, 1918, spectators lined Gay Street to catch a glimpse of George G. Polley, a.k.a. The Original “Human Fly,” attempt a most spectacular stunt – climbing all 10 stories of the 1907 Burwell Building on Gay Street. The climb was in conjunction with the Great Liberty Parade, which was to take place right after the stunt. Polley planned to scale the outside walls by hanging on to crevices in the bricks, window ledges, cornices, and any other projection he could find.

George Polley, a native of Richmond, Virginia, was born in 1897 and grew up a star athlete. His career originated at the age of 12 when a local businessman promised him a new suit if he would climb to the top of his building. Polley was triumphant and never looked back, becoming best known for his “buildering,” work as a vaudeville magician, and raising charitable contributions during World War I.

After arriving in Knoxville on April 5, Polley secured a permit from the City of Knoxville to climb the Burwell Building. Two days later at 1:30 pm, “The Human Fly” began his climb, and within 30 minutes he had reached the top and proceeded to stand on his head with his feet extended over the edge of the roof before scaling the flagpole too! Five thousand people looked on in amazement.

Known throughout the country as “The Human Fly” who risked his life countless times in spectacular climbing stunts, Polley never fell but part of his act was to pretend to slip or lose control. During World War I, he served as an Army sergeant and became nationally known for raising funds for U.S. soldiers overseas, the Salvation Army, and many other charitable organizations here in the States. George Polley is said to have climbed more than 2,000 buildings throughout his short career. His greatest achievement might have been his daring attempt at climbing the Woolworth Building in New York City in 1920. At that time, it was the tallest building in the world at 792 feet. He made it to the 30th floor before being arrested for failing to secure a permit. Sadly, Polley died in 1927 during an operation to remove a brain tumor.

The iconic Burwell Building was built in 1907 as the Knoxville Banking and Trust Building at the corner of Gay Street and Clinch Avenue. It was the tallest building in Knoxville at a height of 166 feet until 1913, when the Holston National Bank was built across the street. The building was designed by the architectural firm of Richards, McCarty, and Bulford of Columbus, Ohio, in the Second Renaissance Revival style. The Knoxville Banking and Trust Company ceased operations in 1912, and the Southern Railway Company established its main Knoxville ticket office in the building’s lobby. In 1917, the C.B. Atkin Realty Company purchased the building and renamed it “Burwell” in honor of Mrs. C.B. Atkin’s family name. Clay Brown Atkin (1864-1931), who at the time was one of Knoxville’s wealthiest citizens, also purchased land for the Tennessee Theatre and an expansion of the Burwell Building.

Since the Burwell was not the tallest building in Knoxville at the time (Polley’s preferred climbing subject), he most likely was asked to scale the building at the request of C.B. Atkin to increase publicity and excitement for his new real estate ventures. “The Human Fly,” however, wasn’t the first to “scale” and stand atop the building. One of the essential members of the construction crew was a mule called Maud – named for a funny comic strip character that would kick someone high into the air at the end of each strip. After the iron work structure was completed on the building in 1907, Maud the Mule was hoisted to a platform at the top of the building to the cheers of thousands of onlookers!

The next time you’re strolling down Gay Street, look up at the Burwell Building. Can you see George Polley swinging from a cornice or window sill? Can you see Maud the Mule being hoisted above the roof? We sure can!

Knox Heritage preserves structures and places of historic or cultural significance for our community. Founded in 1974, Knox Heritage is a non-profit dedicated to historic preservation education, advocacy, and technical services. It also owns and operates Historic Westwood and the Airplane Filling Station. Knox Heritage is supported by members who value preserving historic places in our community. Learn more and become a member at www.knoxheritage.org.

An Unlikely Training Ground

By Brett Cafferty

Last week I was speaking with the general manager of a local restaurant group. He’s in his 20s, and I asked about his background in preparation for his current job. In addition to his business degree, he spent several years working with Chick-fil-A, learning a great deal about customer service, being coached and coaching others, and the basics of business – all equipping him for the role he is in now. This conversation reminded me of all the lessons I learned at one my first jobs, where I had no idea of the importance and application of what I was learning until years later.

The summer after high school, I started work at a family-owned, full-service Exxon station in Charlotte, NC. We pumped gas, cleaned windshields, checked the oil, and made service calls to fix flat tires and start cars with dead batteries. After catching on to the basics, responsibilities were added, leading to oil changes and minor repairs, ordering parts, maintaining inventories, and handling money. At the time I thought nothing of it.

But outside of the actual tasks of the job, it was an excellent education in learning about people. The business was located at the corner of a busy intersection, allowing contact with every type of person imaginable – business professionals, travelers asking for directions (long before GPS), young and old, wealthy and not.

In a short amount of time, I had been involved in thousands of interactions with people of all types, learning to understand, get along with, and communicate with others. I had no idea that would be of any value, it was just the job I did.

I started my first outside sales role in my early 20s, and although it was not apparent to me at the time, all of that “training on the corner” had allowed me to be far more comfortable in dealing with people. In the sales and management roles that followed, I continued to realize how much of the “business basics” learned at that corner service station were applicable to my then current business role and still apply today.  

At a wedding in 2010, I ran into that service station owner from 25+ years ago. The first thing that came to mind was to let him know that the time I worked for them was a tremendous training ground that prepared me for the “adult” business world. I owed him a big “thank you!” Accounting, management, and professional development courses certainly added to this, but looking back, the real-world experience and coaching I received was instrumental in allowing me to develop and be equipped for later professional roles.

My reason for sharing this is to encourage those who may think that a first job, or a short-term job that may not seem relevant, could end up being a very important chapter in your life’s story. It was in mine.

And to all of the small business owners who invest the time and effort to “train up” the next generation – thank you!

Knoxville Homeowners: The Five Most Common Home Security Mistakes

With summer approaching, it is the perfect time to reevaluate the security of your property. If you are not properly securing your home, you could be increasing the chance of a home burglary. By acting now, you can easily avoid common home security mistakes to ensure your property is as safe as possible.

1. Leaving doors and windows unlocked
Doors and windows serve as an easy entry point into your home when left unlocked. Whether you forgot to lock the backdoor or left a window open, you are making your home an easy target for a skilled burglar!

2. Hiding a spare key outside
Still hide a key under the doormat to provide easy access for additional members of the household? Whether the key is under the doormat, hidden in a fake rock, or somewhere you think a burglar would never look, you are mistaken. Instead of hiding the spare key, leave it with a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member. Better yet, Smart Locks eliminate the need for keys, allowing you to take your home security above and beyond.

3. Providing cover for a burglar
Burglars are sneaky; don’t make it easier for them by providing the perfect hiding spot. Take a walk around your property and look for areas that provide places to hide. Clear overgrown areas and keep trees and bushes near your home trimmed.

4. Leaving the garage door open
Are you working in your yard all day? Did you forget to close the garage door after returning home? Not only does an open garage door provide easy access into your home, it also lets a burglar see what’s inside, potentially making your home the desired target. Most burglars pick a house after surveilling the neighborhood.

Additionally, tools are most likely to be kept in the garage. Allowing easy access to these items can make a burglar’s job effortless! Keep tools and ladders locked away to prevent a burglar from using them to gain entry into your home.

5. Making it apparent that no one is home
If you have to be away from your home for an extended period, follow the home security tips below:

• Stop mail and newspaper delivery
• Have a neighbor park an extra vehicle in your driveway
• Arrange for someone to cut the grass
• Place interior and exterior lighting on a timer
• Refrain from posting vacation pictures while you’re away

These common home security mistakes are easy to fix and will help reduce the odds of a break-in. The best way to ensure the security of your home and family is with a reliable home security system. A home security system, installed and monitored by Fleenor Security, can easily be customized to fit your needs, providing you with the best security possible.

Fleenor Security Systems
6700 Baum Drive, Suite 22
Knoxville, TN 37919
865.544.9964
www.FleenorSecurity.com
TN C-0239 VA 11-1901 NC 1721-CSA