AffinityOne Security Solutions Blog

  Five tips to avoid Christmas burglaries Protect yourself during a boon time for burglars

14 November 2010

Levels of cover offered by these sites varied widely

Brand new, high-value presents offer rich pickings for burglars at Christmas time. But there are some practical tips to help homeowners avoid being victims of crime.

Forget Father Christmas shimmying down your chimney; it’s burglars you may have to contend with this coming festive season. Christmas traditionally sees a spike in incidents of domestic burglary, as organised and opportunistic thieves target homeowners who have stocked up on presents, or who leave their homes unattended while off visiting relatives.

However, there are some sensible precautions that can be taken to reduce the likelihood you'll be a victim of crime - and ensure your home insurance will cover you should the worst happen.

Top home security tips

1. Don’t keep presents on view, and always close your curtains after dark. Don’t keep receipts with your presents either, as this could enable a thief to return what you've bought in exchange for cold hard cash.

2. Don’t put wrapping and discarded boxes out for refuse collection too early, and consider concealing it among other types of rubbish. Obvious packaging left outside your property could alert a burglar to the presence of high value items - just the kinds of things they will target.

3. Check that your doors and windows are locked when they aren't in use. According to Northampton Borough Council, one in four burglaries occurs because the homeowner forgot to lock up properly.

4. Secure outside decorations and Christmas lights. According to research conducted by GoCompare.com, 12% of homes had decorations stolen last Christmas!

5. Ensure that you have the right Burglar Alarm System If you are spending a small fortune on gifts at Christmas, remember that you'll have new, expensive items under your roof. 

Taking photographs of valuables will also help with the identification of goods should they be stolen, and will make any insurance claim you submit easier to process.

Preparation equals prevention

There are some simple things we can all do to limit the chances of being victimised by a burglar. Keeping valuables out of plain view and making sure you have the right level of home insurance are key considerations if you want a happy Christmas.’

Wintery weather worries

Burglary is not the only potential source of woe for homeowners at this time of year, with extreme weather causing problems for many homeowners. 

Ensure you purchase a quality Intruder Alarm System from Affinity One Security Solutions and have peace of mind. Also it is advisable to undertake a few maintenance checks before the bad weather sets in. These include:

1. Checking water pipes in lofts and cellars are in good condition, and insulating them as required.

2. Ensuring roof tiles are secure.

3. Clearing guttering and drains of leaves and other debris.

4. Checking for damp and drying affected areas (using a humidifier if required).

5. Ensuring that your home Intruder System is working  and protecting your property. 

Dont let the Burglar Get his hands on your hard earnt money get a Burglar Alarm and fit CCTV.from Affinity One Security Solutions 08000 336 999 and let the experts take the strain out of Christmas, letting you spend your money on things that you enjoy.

Affinity One Security Solutions 08000 336 999 for all your Home or Commercial Burglar Alarm,CCTV,Door Entry or Security requirements