Security News, Tips & Advice
Here’s How to Deter Thieves Over The Festive Season
Whilst the numbers may vary from year to year there, is a very marked up trend in burglaries over the Christmas season. Over the last year there were just over 275,000 reported break-ins in the UK, with December and January being the worst months for robberies. For new domestic and commercial security systems this represents our busiest time of the year.
There are several factors for this, one key one is that even burglars have to pay for Christmas! It’s dark, houses are often full of new gifts and many people go away or out more, leaving their houses unoccupied and often unprotected. These are all shiny baubles for the opportunistic thief. Here are some simple ways you can ensure you enjoy Christmas and have a prosperous new year:
Christmas is coming, but it’s not only the goose that’s getting fat!
The spike in Christmas Burglaries is upon us...
1. Review Your Security.
Review your security systems or consider a new system if you do not have one installed. This is always the number one deterrent to a would-be burglar. They have no desire to caught on camera or lit up like a Christmas Tree!
2. Install Outdoor Lighting.
Automatic lighting at the front and back of your property can deter burglars. These lights are timed to come off and on automatically and can link to sensors as additional lighting.
3. Use Indoor Light Timers.
Make it look as though you are at home. You can also leave some music or radio playing.
4. Keep Valuables Out Of Sight.
Having a large, lavishly decorated Christmas Tree with mountains of presents sitting under it in plain sight through your windows is a very tempting sight to a burglar!
5. Protect Your Parcels
Don’t leave parcels visible from the road – ask your delivery company to put them somewhere out of sight. Deliver them to a neighbour if you know you’re going to be out.
6. Think About Packaging Disposal
Don’t leave empty packaging of your new gifts out for the rubbish collection, as you may be advertising the fact that there's valuable new jewellery, a large new TV or the latest Playstation in you home. Either take them to a local recycling centre or break them up and hide with other rubbish.
7. Take Care With Social Media
Finally, thieves are becoming more and more sophisticated, especially in high-value housing areas. Don’t post on social media your new expensive gifts or the fact that you are going out or away and leaving the house empty.
By taking the above precautions you will go a long way to avoiding an unwelcome guest this Christmas.
Templewood Security Systems are Buckinghamshire and Berkshire’s leading Smart Security Systems business delivering peace of mind to local customers for over 30 years.
Call us today on 01753 648 330 our use our CONTACT FORM to arrange a home security review and find out more about our Smart Security Solutions.
Author:
Lloyd Marriott, Director
Templewood Security Systems Ltd
Date: 15th November 2024