While Christmas is supposed to be a time of festivities and cheer, it's unfortunate to learn that Christmas burglaries peak at this time of year. The beginning of the month, specifically between the 5th and 18th of December is the most vulnerable period for Christmas crime and break-ins.
During this period people start their Christmas shopping, so there are a number of valuable items in their homes that wouldn't normally be there. From expensive trainers to PlayStations and perfumes, burglars can grab a number of valuable items in a short space of time if they gain access to your Christmas stash!
The kids might believe that all the presents are being made in the north pole, the reality is, most presents are hidden in and around the house. In addition, the dark winter nights provide ample cover for criminals to sneak around your house undetected. When the sun goes down (around 4:30 pm) most people are still at work, so it's no surprise that this is the time your home is most vulnerable to burglars.
How to minimise the risk of a Christmas break-in:
If you'd like to reduce the risk of crime at Christmas, follow the handy tips below...
- Avoid putting presents under the tree ahead of time, especially if your tree is in front of your window.
- Don't hide presents in obvious places eg. under the bed. If your kids can find them, so can a burglar.
- Be careful how you dispose of packaging, the Harrods box in the bin could indicate there are expensive gifts in the house.
- Don't 'check-in' or make your whereabouts known on social media. This tells burglars your house is unoccupied.
- Don't turn all the lights off when you go out for the day/night, this could also indicate that you're out of the house.
- Don't leave presents in your car on the driveway, even if this is the only way your husband won't see them.
- Store high-value items like jewellery in a safe until Christmas day
Investing in better home security
Despite your best efforts to keep your home & presents safe and attempting to reduce crime at Christmas, you might find that you are still targeted by burglars. Alongside the steps we've outlined above, we'd highly recommend improving your home security system. A good home security system will not only protect you during Christmas, but it will also keep your family safe all year round!
What home security systems do we offer? Here at IDS Security, we understand that every home is different, that's why we tailor each home security system to suit your needs. Some key elements of our home security systems include:
- Burglar alarms
- Security cameras
- Door entry systems
- Fire alarms
According to various Christmas crime statistics, burglaries and crime are on the rise this month - but there's no need to worry. Our team of experts are waiting to hear from you. They'll talk through your requirements and help make sure we supply the best home security system for you, so you can sit back, relax and enjoy the festive period.
Request a FREE Home Security System Quote >
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