Christmas is just around the corner again and at this time, our homes may not only be unoccupied for long periods as we visit friends and relatives, but will probably be full of valuable items both before and after the festive period. It’s time to make sure that your home security is up to date and consider installing security systems to ensure that you are ready for opportunistic thieves this year.

Here are five simple festive home security tips that we may all need reminding of:

Home Security Tips

1) Keep your home protected at all times whether you’re there or not with a home security alarm. Government statistics show that a clear majority of burglaries attempted on homes fitted with an alarm are unsuccessful. They do act as a crucial visual deterrent.

2) If you don't have a Home CCTV System to monitor what's going out outside, then use heat- or movement-sensitive exterior security lighting to deter would-be burglars from hiding in wait near your property and interior automatic timer-switches to make sure your home always has signs of life to it. The latter can be used to operate either lamps or radios so that it looks and sounds as if someone may be inside. Most thieves would rather move along than take the chance.

3) Don’t leave presents under the Christmas tree until Christmas Day. If you really have nowhere else to put them, then keep the Christmas tree away from windows so passers-by can’t see your festive booty. A recent post here reported on the thousands of pounds of electrical equipment left in full view of the street, Christmas gifts will only make the opportunity seem even more inviting.

4) Sheds, garages and car boots are often used to store larger, more expensive presents, making them a prime target. Tempting as it may be, never leave presents outside but keep them as safe as you can within your home. A friend recently reported on thieves who climbed over a garden wall to access the shed where they had seen gifts being stored. Putting a trellis along the top of external walls and fences and then growing some spiky evergreen plants along them can make that climb a far less appealing prospect.

5) After Christmas presents have been opened, don’t leave discarded boxes outside whilst you wait for the bin men. Over the holiday periods, collection schedules are all out of kilter and those bits of branded cardboard can be sitting on your doorstep for days, easily visibile for potential criminals to spot. You will simply be advertising what there is to take. January is a prime month for domestic burglaries, so don’t make it any easier for thieves. If you don't have space to put them in a garage or shed, then at least fold them up flat so that the labelling is not visible on the outside. Better still, tie them together in that fashion so that it takes more than a cursory glance to assess what the packaging may have contained.

Statistically, burglaries are most likely to occur from 6am to 6pm during the week and nearly half are opportunistic. Put in place our home security tips but also be sure to always lock all doors and windows and test burglar alarms regularly if you have them installed.

If you don’t have burglar alarms for protecting your home and property, Christmas time is a clear opportunity to consider your home security systems.

On a positive note, another reason that we should all consider fitting domestic intruder or burglar alarms is that home insurers will sometimes offer discounts on premiums to those who take measures to increase security on their properties.

Get a FREE site survey today

Our team are ready to take your call and walk you through the various ways in which we can protect you and your family.