Christmas is a time when many families go away to visit friends and family or, for those who can afford it, get away for some winter sun.
Unfortunately, burglars love Christmas just as much as we do, but for more reason that the Christmas dinner – its prime time for them to break into family homes undisturbed.
If you leave your home empty at Christmas, it means you could be at greater risk of being burgled and leaving presents visible under the Christmas Tree makes your home a shop window for any opportunist thief who is on the lookout for rich pickings.
Here is a checklist of things you can do to keep your home safe from burglars – or at least minimise the impact if they still break in:
1. It sounds obvious, but make sure you lock all external doors and windows. Don’t think about leaving a window ajar for ventilation – the slightest opportunity can and will be used by burglars.
2. Lock your shed and locked away all tools and ladders – invest in a good lock that can’t be picked easily, and won’t be easily broken with a little tugging.
3. If you live in a Neighbourhood Watch area and have joined the scheme, let them know when you’ll be away so they can keep and eye on your property when you’re away.
4. Set timers for lights, TV and the radio so it looks like someone’s home throughout the day and evening to ward off burglars.
5. Kept valuables and goods away from windows – that’s just giving them a good reason to break into your home!
6. If you’re leaving you car behind, lock it in the garage if you have one, or leave it at a secure car park.
7. Milk bottles left on the doorstep, and letters and newspapers that are left poking out of the letterbox say that your home is vacant, and give thieves a reason to feel confident they can get away with breaking it. Asked your neighbours to push your post through the letterbox properly and take in your milk.
8. Whether you are going away or staying home for Christmas, you need to have the right for your home – it just makes things a lot easier should the worst happen.
