The season of fun and good times is upon us with Christmas just around the corner, we are all starting to prepare to welcome friends and family in to our home to celebrate during this festive period.  During this busy time, home security is often put to the back of our minds, but with the increase of expensive items within home, it should be given some serious thought.  Here our or top tips to protect your home, possessions and gifts and to stay safe this Christmas Time.

• Deterrent is often the best form of protection – Fit a motion sensor security light or some festive lights to brighten up the outside of your property.  Stickers in windows showing property marking or a member of neighbourhood give further warnings that this house is protected and not worth stealing from.

• Don’t leave anything on show – Whether at home or in a car, don’t leave presents and gifts on show.  When at home blinds and curtains can be used to stop anyone looking in from outside.  Whilst away from the home, if you have to leave presents in a car, make sure they are looked in the boot.

• Don’t advertise that your home is unoccupied – With increased popularity in social media, it is all too easy to give away your location or inadvertently promote that your property is empty for a period of time.  Make sure that social media security settings only allow friends to view your status or don’t post such items.

• Festive lights – The tradition of festive lights has almost become a national obsession, however make sure the lights don’t compromise home security.  Power leads should not be feed through an open window.

• Away for Christmas – I lot of people go away for Christmas, leaving their home unattended.  There are a number tricks that can be used to give the impression of an occupied house.  Firstly make sure that any deliveries are stopped, stop any newspaper or milk rounds.  Internal lights with timer switches that are set to come on when it gets dark will give the feeling that a property is occupied.  A TV simulator is another security device that gives the impression of someone at home.  This simple device has a number of coloured LED’s that mimic the light given off by a television set, thus giving the impression of someone at home and deterring any would be thieves.  A vehicle on a drive way is another way to give the impression that someone is home.

• Use lock and security devices – This might sound obvious, but you would be surprised how many doors and windows are left unsecured, or how many security devices are fitted, but not used.  If you have an Alarm system use it, even if you are just popping down the shops.

If you require any sort of security advice during the Christmas period or any time of the year, do not hesitate to get in contact with us.