DNA Security November 26, 2018 News
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It’s that time of year when people close up their homes and go away on holiday to warmer climates. For those who stay at home, it is a time of festive cheer and exchanging gifts with friends and loved ones. Whether you stay home or go away for Christmas, it can be a dangerous time as burglars will make the most of empty homes or piles of presents. We have talked about how to keep your home safe before, but here are our tips for those extra precautions you can take to keep your home and loved ones safe as Christmas approaches.

Keep presents hidden

You are not only hiding them from the kids, but from burglars too. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t put them under the tree, just hold off doing so until Christmas Eve when you know you will be at home. Keep them out of sight until then by stashing them away in cupboards, under the bed, or in drawers – away from all prying eyes.

Hide packaging too

Once you have opened all your presents, don’t throw all the packaging out without a second thought. Put it at the bottom of the recycling or rubbish bin, especially if there were any high-value items amongst your gifts.

Be mindful of your social media posts

Letting people know that you’re off on holiday or spending Christmas at relatives’ this year on social media is like shouting from the rooftops that your home is empty. Equally, don’t boast about the expensive jewellery, games console, or other high-value gift you received – it just tells people what you have in your home that’s worth stealing.

Keep the lights on

Even if you are away, make sure the lights still come on in the evenings. You can either use timers or ask a trusted friend or neighbour to pop in and do it for you. Keeping your hallway or porch well lit in the evenings is also a good way to deter would-be burglars as you are robbing them of the darkness they use to operate in. Just don’t forget to turn the lights off again in the morning or that’s another give sign you are not around.

Don’t leave deliveries on the doorstep

If you are going away, even for the night, make sure that delivery staff know where to leave things so that they are not left in plain sight. If you have a safe spot, let them know where it is, or make arrangements for a neighbour to take deliveries while you are away. If you’re away for a few days, suspend newspaper or milk deliveries and ask a friend to collect any mail if it’s likely to pile up.

All of us at DNA Security wish you a happy and trouble-free Christmas. You know where we are if you need us, either before or after the holidays, should you want some advice on keeping your property and valuables safe, or if you are looking to install or update an alarm system. Just give us a call on 01424 718 844 and we will be happy to help.