Like so many households ups and down the country and indeed across the world, my Christmas tree is up and taking pride of place in our front room window showing off its twinkling lights to anyone who passes by outside. However, as much as we enjoy showing off our trees to the outside world, it is important to remember that Christmas is also a time when we need to protect our homes from any intruders, so it is imperative not to lose sight of the importance of security.
These dark winter nights can prove to be a real threat to household safety, as opportunistic burglars are keen to make the most of the long nights and to get their hands on the festive gifts that are steadily being stockpiled by families beneath their Christmas trees.
To help ensure you don’t fall victim to criminal activity over Christmas, have a look at these tips for making sure your home is protected this Christmas:
Festive Break
If you’re planning a trip away during the festive season, make sure you keep this a secret from potential thieves, as empty homes are a burglars dream. Use a timer to have lights switch on in the evenings in a few rooms, to make it look like you are in and to show anyone passing by your house that if there re lights on, then there is probably people indoors.
You could also ask a neighbour, friend or relative to pop in and check on your house while you are away, and remove any mail or parcels/parcel notes from your front porch or hallway entrance, as these are things that potential criminals could spot while checking on properties to see if they are worth breaking into.
Back to Basics
As obvious as it might sound, always double check that you have locked all your doors and shut all of your window when you leave your home unattended. There is nothing easier than breaking into a house when it is so easy as opening a door and being able to enter a home as if you owned it yourself. I will be honest, I have got home from popping out to the shops to discover that I left the back door unlocked!
Christmas Gifts
This time of year we tend to have more valuables in our homes, as we have gifts hidden around the home ready for Christmas. Some people have their presents under the tree already, and if these are visible through your window, then they are visible to any potential burglars too. Just think about how best to display them without them being on show to anyone walking past your window.
Protect Your Home
Another way to ensure your home and its contents are protected from break ins is to get some good home insurance, then should the worse happen you are guaranteed to replace your valuables and repair any damage to your house. Take a look at this infographic from Chill i.e which gives more useful details about protecting your home this Christmas.
