It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but unfortunately it is also the prime time of year for burglars to operate under the cover of darkness. There’s so much to lure them, especially given expensive presents are scattered around our homes and the nights are dark, it becomes the prime time for burglars to strike. Many begin their search for CCTV installers in Durham early in the year, but for those who haven’t, here are five tips to help you keep your home safe during the Christmas period.
Hide presents
You probably already hide your Christmas presents, especially if you want them to be a surprise, but have you considered that some thieves will break in even after the gifts are wrapped and under the tree? Leaving your beautifully wrapped gifts under the tree provides temptation for burglars, as they know there will be valuable items in there and they can easily search without the risk of being caught. To reduce your risk, only bring our your Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve.
Dispose of packaging
If you’re buying wrapping presents early, make sure the packaging is disposed of properly. If you leave boxes for expensive gifts where it’s highly visible. This is especially important for electrical items, as it advertises the volume of expensive gifts within the walls of your home. Make sure you break down your plastic boxes properly for recycling and think about keeping them in your home until the bin men are due to take the boxes away.
Think before you post
Christmas is an exciting time, and you’ll certainly want to post about all of the amazing gifts your nearest and dearest got, but that can make you a target for burglars in the local area. In fact, it’s quite commonplace for burglars to turn to social media to find their next victim. If you’re posting lots of pictures of your children enjoying their new PC or games console, you are essentially advertising the expensive items in your house, making your home a target. Make sure you keep any and all expensive gifts out of sight when taking your Christmas photos.
Don’t hide keys
If you’re going away for the Christmas season, don’t take a risk by hiding a key for anyone to come by and check on your plants, pets or even turn the heating on. Make sure the person in question has the key to your property on their person at all times.
Consider CCTV
For extra peace of mind, consider installing a CCTV system. A system can keep unwanted visitors, including burglars, away from your home all year round, especially when you can’t be there to monitor your home in person. Most CCTV systems now come with the option to download an app to observe your home when you’re not there, and it will even alert you (and the relevant authorities) of any attempts to access your home without a key.
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