Christmas comes once a year, and often that one opportunity is enough for burglars to take advantage of slack home security, with a supply of brand new presents conveniently piled under the tree.
Over recent years, offences committed during Christmas have risen by more than 20%, with thefts increasing from just under 12,000 to over 15,000. With expensive gifts lying under the tree, along with empty houses and distracted homeowners, Christmas may be the best time for opportunistic burglars to strike and bag themselves some new gifts.
Luckily, we have some tips to help you keep your home safe and make your Christmas one to remember for all the right reasons.
How to safeguard your home over Christmas
Tis the season to be jolly, with Christmas parties, dinners, and gifts for your loved ones. However, it is also a period to be extra cautious. After all, you don’t want a break-in at your home this Christmas.
With this in mind, below we explain our top tips for safeguarding your home.
1. Keep gifts in a safe space
While the most exciting thing about Christmas is gifts lying under the Christmas tree, it’s not the safest thing to do. Although it is a beautiful sight around Christmas time, if gifts can be seen from outside, it can attract opportunists. So, it is sensible to hold off putting them under the tree. Wait till Christmas Eve or early Christmas morning to lay out your gifts in order to reduce the risk of burglaries.
2. Keep your lights on
During the holiday season, whether you are doing some late-night Christmas shopping, going ice skating or visiting friends and family, always keep your lights on. If a burglar can see something they like from outside, they are more likely to break in if it looks like nobody’s home. A simple way to prevent this is to keep your Christmas lights on if your tree is in the window. To ensure that people from outside cannot see completely in the room, draw out your curtains carefully. When going out, you could keep your hallway and upstairs lights on, so it appears that someone is home.
3. Check your security system
It’s best to upgrade your home security. Pay close attention to broken window locks and flimsy doors, and get repairs or new installations well in time for Christmas. CCTV and motion detectors are also a good home security investment as they show opportunists that you are serious about home security.
4. Don’t share everything on social media
If you have received an expensive present, resist the urge to share pictures on your social media. It is better to share such details with people you trust, take a look at your profile settings and see if you can restrict your sharing details.
How can a security guard protect your home at Christmas?
1.Provide security for your building
If you live in an apartment, a security guard on the door can provide security for the whole building, especially around Christmas time. As people are likely to host Christmas dinners, parties and gatherings, this means that outsiders will visit your building too. Burglars will have easy access too. Having a security guard is a great way of minimising crime and keeping you safe during Christmas.
2. Deter crime
The sight of a security guard is enough to prevent some opportunists from committing a robbery. Shop owners hire extra security professionals on Christmas for this very reason; however, it can also be very useful for domestic security.
3. Monitor visitors
On Christmas, security officers can keep a check on people coming in and out of an apartment building. They can ensure that a “signing in” system is used to monitor people entering the building. This can prevent unwanted people from entering your apartment in an attempt to break in.
5. Safeguard your home while you’re away
Some burglars do their homework before they commit the robbery. They might do this while you’re at work or away shopping or visiting loved ones. Having a security guard at your apartment building or house means an extra pair of eyes to pay attention to anything unusual. Burglars might try to break into your home, but a security guard will safeguard your home and spot things you miss.
Christmas is a great time to celebrate, but staying safe should be of top priority. You can ensure your safety and your loved ones by hiring security professionals and using our safety tips.
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