Christmas Security Tips for Your Home

Whether you're staying local this Christmas or heading away for a break, it's vital that you think about your home's security beforehand. Properties can be particularly appealing to burglars over the festive period, with more high-value items on show and property owners having other things on their mind than security. This can lead to people forgetting some of the essential security advice and leaving their homes less protected. To ensure that this doesn't happen to you, here are some top tips you should follow.

What's Attractive to Burglars?

Thieves are looking for properties that they can get in and out of quickly and where they can steal a number of attractive items. They're particularly looking for goods that can be sold on quickly, such as laptops, smartphones, tablets and games consoles. These are easy to take, and there is a lucrative black market where they can be quickly sold on. Over the Christmas period, many of these items are left unopened or unused, making them perfect for resale. With families rushing around to visit people or attend events, they are also often left on show in living areas, where an opportunist burglar can easily see them.

How to Put Off Burglars

A property that is less attractive to burglars will be less likely to be broken into than one which seems inviting. Thieves don't want to be detected or caught, so finding ways to put them off can boost your security.

If you're going to be away for a few days, don't let your property look unoccupied and add in extra security measures. For instance, you could have automatic interior lights that switch on when it gets dark or you could keep a car parked in the drive to make it look like someone is in.

If you have security measures installed, it's important that you make use of them. This includes turning on the alarm before you leave or locking the metal security gates to make access to your property harder. Any presents or other valuables should be hidden from view, so your home isn't as tempting to criminals.

Taking some time to assess your security before the Christmas period could save you the heartache of returning home to find your property has been burgled. The right security measures and the visual appearance of your property can help to deter burglars and make your home less of a target.