Protect your presents
Picture this: It’s a cold, dark evening, the twinkling lights of your Christmas tree are visible through the window, and a pile of perfectly wrapped presents are on display… well, those presents could be a treasure trove to a opportunistic burglar. You don’t have to hide them in a cupboard but be mindful of who may be able to see them. Or, if you have slatted blinds, you could tilt them upwards rather than downwards to prevent people peering in. Burglars tend not to venture upstairs in case they get trapped, so consider keeping gifts upstairs.
Top tip: Avoid gift bags - most burglars leave the scene of the crime on foot, so they can only take what they can carry. Don’t make it easy by bagging it all up!
Protect your post
From Christmas cards to marketing mail, over the festive period you’re likely to receive more post than usual. But a discarded envelope with your name and address could be all a fraudster needs to steal your identity and cause havoc. Not what you need when you just want to relax with a mince pie!
Top tip: Always destroy anything with your name and address on it before recycling.
Protect your plans
We all get busy over the festive period visiting family and friends, watching school plays, or even catching some winter sun – but make sure your plans are kept close to your chest. Don’t let burglars know that you’re not home. Keep your calendar out of view of any window in your home, and try not to leave packed bags or suitcases in view either – this could be a give away that you’re leaving your home for a while.
Top tip: When you’re away, ask a trusted neighbour or friend to pop in and clear any post, or park on your drive to make the house seem occupied.
See the signs
You may think a ‘beware of the dog’ sign (for example) would warn off a would-be thief, but actually this suggests there’s an animal in the property and therefore it’s unlikely that the home has an alarm triggered by movement. Joining the local neighbourhood watch, and popping a neighbourhood watch sign in your window could be far more off-putting to burglars, because who knows who’s watching them...
