Monday, 19 December 2022
Work parties, weekends away visiting family, even holidays abroad.
Christmas is full of festivities and events that mean you’ll be spending less time at home.
And when you’re trying to enjoy the holiday cheer, you don’t want to spend time worrying that your home isn’t secure.
In this blog, we give our top tips to help you secure your home whilst you’re away.
Lock your windows and doors
Although burglaries happen all year round, there tends to be an increase over the Christmas period. This is because burglars know that people are likely to have expensive gifts stored in their homes.
Locking your windows and doors is the first step to securing your house.
It can be so easy for this to slip your mind when you’re rushing out of your house to try and miss the inevitable holiday traffic.
Often burglaries are carried out by opportunists. The longer someone spends breaking into a house, the more likely they are to draw attention to themselves and get caught. Therefore, if they don’t have easy access to your home, these opportunists probably won’t bother.
Invest in home CCTV
Easy to install and set up, a CCTV system for your home will give you peace of mind whilst you’re away.
Many smart CCTV systems allow you to view your cameras in real time from an app on your phone, letting you check in on your home wherever, whenever.
Some CCTV systems even have motion detectors and night vision.
CCTV acts as a deterrent – to many burglars, the risk of getting caught on camera isn’t worth it.
In the unfortunate event that you do become a victim of burglary, the police may be able to use your CCTV to help in their investigations, therefore increasing the chances of you getting your items back.
Check your house alarm works
Unfortunately, determined burglars aren’t always deterred by locked windows and doors. A rock through your window or torch to your lock could potentially allow them to enter your home.
Check your house alarm is in working order. And don’t forget to check any sensors you may have inside your home – on your landing or by your back door for example. If your alarm doesn’t seem to be working properly, make sure to get it fixed before going away.
Making sure to switch your house alarm on whilst you’re away will ensure that extra level of security.
Not only will it alert your neighbours to anyone entering your home so they can phone the police, but the loud alarm will most likely scare off any burglars or limit what they can take.
Make it look like someone is home
Not all burglaries are opportunistic.
Many burglars scope out an area beforehand, keeping an eye on houses that seem to be empty.
One dead giveaway that a house is empty, is the lack of switched on lights.
An easy way to overcome this is with the use of timed light switches. These are usually controlled by an app on your phone that allows you to decide when they’re switched on. A few hours in the evening and in the morning should make it seem like someone is home.
If you’re going to be away for a slightly longer amount of time, consider pausing any postal subscriptions you may have to avoid post piling up by your letter box.
Another obvious sign that your house is empty is your bin not moving – especially if everyone else’s bins are out on bin day.
Ask your neighbour to put your bins out with theirs – you can always repay the favour when they go away in summer.
Be wary where you keep your Christmas presents
If you’re going away before Christmas, make sure you don’t leave any Christmas presents on show.
Yes, they do look great under your Christmas tree, but if you’ve got them on show you’re basically inviting burglars into your home.
Even if you just hide presents behind your couch, for example, it’ll keep them from being seen by burglars looking for a victim.
Putting your especially valuable presents, a brand new iPad or valuable jewellery for example, into a safe is always a great idea. In the unfortunate event that a burglar does get into your house, it’s unlikely they will have the time or knowledge to break into your safe.
Bonus tip:
Are you going away after Christmas?
Make sure you dispose of any Christmas present packaging before you go.
Having that brand new PlayStation box poking out of your bin is going to tell burglars exactly what they can find inside your home.
Get your home security equipment from the specialists
If you’re thinking of updating your home security, who better to speak to than the experts here at LockShop Direct.
From smart security and CCTV to safes and window locks. Browse our site to find the perfect solution to your home security needs.
Or you can contact our friendly team to discuss your requirements and find the perfect solution. Simply call us on 0330 174 0851 or email us at info@lockshopdirect.co.uk.
Author: Innocent Olwo
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