

Did you know that one of the most popular times of year for home invasion and burglaries is December?
It’s not surprising really – we all know that our homes spend December slowly filling with gifts, as well as all of those wonderful Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals that are still filtering through the postal service. It’s too good an opportunity to pass up for most burglars. Which means that you need to be extra vigilant with your home security at this time of year – especially when you’re indulging in some mulled wine and minced pies! But what does that mean?
Burglaries Skyrocket At Christmas
There have been a lot of studies and research into the rates of burglaries across the year, and it’s not really a surprise that Christmas is one of the biggest peaks. A 20% increase in burglaries over the festive period, with the 5th, 6th, 11th, 17th and 18th of December being the most popular dates for opportunistic burglars to help themselves. The main reason for this is simple – this is when burglars know our homes are full of nice expensive gifts (they’re particularly on the lookout for bikes, games consoles, phones, laptops, tablets and cameras), and that we are less likely to be in our homes as much. And since burglars are actually quite lazy, they’re always going to prefer an easy target over fighting a security system. So now more than ever it’s important to protect yourself and be vigilant.
Festive Security Dos and Don’ts
If you’re not sure how to best protect your home, your belongings and your family at this time of year, then here’s a simple list of dos and don’ts to follow, which will make it nice and easy.
DO:
Did you know that almost a third of burglaries are classed as ‘insecure break-ins’? That means that the homeowner didn’t take reasonable, simple precautions to prevent a break-in, and also means their insurance claims might not be accepted. So while these might seem like simple things, it’s important to remember. Make sure you:
- Lock all of your doors and windows, and remove the keys.
- Set your house alarm each time you go out. That means actively setting it each and every time. Most people will only set their alarm if they’re leaving for long periods, which means it’s useless the rest of the time! And don’t worry, Santa doesn’t set off alarms.
- Leave a light on when you go out. Or anything that makes your home look occupied. Yes it may add a few pence to your electricity bill, but it’s better than the expense of a break-in!
- Keep your smaller valuables in a safe. Preferably one that’s bolted to the ground and can’t be carried away! That includes any cash gifts, jewellery or cheques you’re planning to give for Christmas.
DON’T:
- Leave presents under the Christmas tree, especially if they can be seen through a window or a door. One of the first things that a burglar will do is have a look and see if there’s anything worth having. So unless it’s Christmas Eve, keep the gifts hidden.
- Speaking of hidden, make sure you don’t hide your gifts in an obvious place. If your kids could find presents under the bed or in a wardrobe, then so could a burglar.
- Post about all of the lovely expensive gifts you’ve bought (or received) on social media. That’s just giving out an invitation!
- ‘Check in’ to venues on festive nights out. This is just advertising that your house is empty.
- Throw empty boxes away in your own bin. It’s all too easy for a burglar to rifle through them and see what nice new things you have. Break them down and take them to a recycling centre.
And of course, look at getting a security system. Studies have shown that one of the most effective burglar deterrents is the installation of security cameras – which reduce the risk of break-ins by 90%. A good security system can keep intruders at bay all through the year, and make sure that your family always has a merry, and secure Christmas. If you would like to know more, or want a quote to secure your home this festive season, just get in touch with Securifix today.