Don’t let thieves steal your Christmas
As the festive season approaches, homes will start to be filled with expensive gifts. It also means it is prime time for criminals to take advantage of the extra valuables lying around. There’s never a better time to step up your home security.
1. Hide presents
Even if you don’t have to hide presents from kids, make sure that they aren’t in view through the windows and doors.
2. Look lived in
If you’re going away for Christmas, make the house look lived in. Sensor lights and timers can be a valuable asset. Also ask a friend or neighbour to collect your mail and/or newspapers and keep an eye on your property. They may be able to park their car in your driveway every other day to make it look like someone’s home.
3. Look out for suspicious behaviour
Keep an eye on any suspicious behaviour in the neighbourhood. Security cameras for inside and outside the home can enhance your home security and peace of mind, but as they’re not within everyone’s budget, being vigilant has to be the next best thing.
4. Triple check your locks
Check to see that all of your locks are strong and sturdy, also put padlocks on any access gates, leaving an entry path open is a temptation for a burglar.
5. Don’t leave notes
This is a big one. If you shop online, don’t leave notes for couriers saying no one’s home. Make sure you provide detailed delivery instructions about where to leave parcels if you’re out, you can usually do this during the checkout process. Alternatively, your work may allow you to receive personal parcels.
6. Hide packaging
Make sure all packaging and receipts are ripped up and buried in bins, so that criminals can’t easily see what’s been added to an already festive-filled house.
7. Give a trusted person a spare key
Let’s be honest, leaving out a spare key is usually put in a not-so-subtle spot. Burglars know to look for the hidden door key near the front entrance. Don’t hide spare keys under rocks, in flowerpots, or above door ledges. Give a spare key to the person looking after your house.
8. Check your home phone’s answering machine message
Make sure your family name isn’t visible outside your house, like on a mailbox. Criminals can get your number from directory enquiries and call your home to confirm there’s no one in. And don’t leave descriptive telephone answering machine messages like “We’re away for Christmas, please leave a message.” Criminals love to hear they have plenty of time to ransack your home.
