Share this contentWhilst many of us get excited for Christmas throughout December, it is also one of the worst times for crime, as burglaries and thefts spike by as much as 20%, leading to winter misery. To help ensure you don’t contribute to these crime statistics, here are some useful tips to protect your home from Christmas Grinches.
Hide Christmas presents
As tempting as it can be to leave wrapped presents under the tree, leading up to Christmas, it’s important to make sure you are not leaving them on show for would-be burglars to spot through windows. If you are going to put presents under the tree, we would recommend that you do this at last minute, or at least make sure that they can’t be seen from outside your home.
Don’t run cables for Christmas lights and Decorations through open windows
It’s great to decorate the exterior of your home to celebrate the Christmas spirit, but avoid the temptation to run extension cords through open windows. Be sure to use an outdoor power source if you have one; otherwise, you could stick to battery powered lights.
Arrange Christmas deliveries carefully
More and more people do the majority of their Christmas shopping online, but this can also lead to an increase in parcel thefts as packages left in porches or on doorsteps can act as an invitation to thieves. If possible, arrange for packages to be delivered when you are at home, or if you can, send them to your workplace if you are more likely to be there.
You may feel tempted to leave a note on your door to let delivery drivers know that you are out and where they can leave packages, but all this does is let burglars know that it’s a good time to break into your home and steal from you.
Make it look like you are at home
If you will be away from home for a few days over Christmas, it’s worth taking inspiration from Kevin McAllister in ‘Home Alone’, and do what you can to make your home looked lived in. You could ask a trusted neighbour to park on your drive and check your post for you, making it look like you are at home.
Smart plugs are also a useful tool. They allow you to put your lights, TV and radio on a timer, giving the impression that you are there.
Keep doors locked
It can be tempting to leave the front door unlocked if you are expecting visitors, even if you and your guests are in a different part of your home. However, you should be aware that an opportunist may take the opportunity to enter your home with ease, without you noticing.
Likewise, if you are popping next door to share a drink with neighbours or deliver presents, make sure all windows and doors are locked before you leave.
Security upgrades
If you are worried about your home security, contact us to arrange a security upgrade survey. Just call us on 0121 353 3644 and we will arrange to visit your home and make suggestions for possible security improvements to help protect you from thefts.
