Posted: 6th December 2018
Posted in: Home Security, Latest News
Christmas is normally a time for giving and receiving. However, as we pile our homes with presents including the latest gadgets, jewellery and toys, many thieves see the festive period as the perfect opportunity to strike, meaning Christmas Eve and New Year are the peak times for property offences such as burglaries. Fortunately, help is at hand. Here are some top tips to help make sure your home isn’t targeted.
10 Ways to Keep Your Home Safe
One of the best ways you can deter criminals is by increasing the amount of light on your premises. By investing in a flood light, you’ll deter criminals from approaching your home. You can also buy timers for lamps, so lights automatically turn on at night. This way your home will remain lit even if you’re away, creating the impression you’re home.
External festive lighting is a great way to get in the Christmas spirit. However, you should never feed extensions through an open window. Doing this can provide a burglar with access, even if it’s just a tiny gap.
Your presents may look great under the tree, but this also means they’re in plain sight for burglars. Instead, keep them hidden until Christmas morning.
Many burglars will try to enter homes by finding hidden keys close to the property. So don’t keep keys hidden under door mats, rocks or by flower pots.
If you have an alarm system installed, then you should make sure it works. A surprising number of homeowners with alarms installed do not activate them regularly, which allows criminals easy access.
If your locks and doors are flimsy, burglars will be confident that they can gain access quickly. So consider upgrading these and adding dead-bolts.
If you throw receipts away, then burglars may know what presents are in your home. If they’re aware of the value of the items, then they may be tempted to strike. So be careful disposing of receipts. You should also ensure that your personal data isn’t on things that you throw away to prevent identity theft.
Many of us leave our homes over the Christmas period to visit family and loved ones. However, if you have milk or newspaper deliveries left on your doorstep for days, burglars will soon work out that you’re away, making your home a potential target. Cancelling subscriptions can prevent this, or you can ask them to be redirected to a neighbour if you need them.
Burglars often like to operate under the cover of darkness, as they can creep up to your home without being spotted (unless you have a flood light). By closing curtains and blinds before you go to bed, you can deter them from coming near your property, as there’ll be nothing to see.
If you have a garage or shed, ensure it’s dead-bolted. These outbuildings often contain the tools needed to break into your home, so don’t give criminals easy access.
Our Top Tip
All of these cost-effective techniques are great ways of deterring potential thieves from targeting your home. However, the most effective method is undoubtedly installing a residential security system.
By adding a 24/7 video monitoring solution, you’ll be able to protect your home and family for 365 days a year. Plus, you can even install smart solutions that allow you to take control of your property from anywhere in the world. From CCTV cameras to home automation, there’s sure to be a solution to suit your needs and budget.
If you’re interested in bolstering your home security by introducing an alarm or CCTV security solution, then please contact us on 1300 773 633 for a free security assessment and quote.
