Thieves will think it's Christmas if you do not take precautions this festive season.
When putting up lights, packing for a holiday or throwing out wrapping paper, it can be easy to overlook the things that could make Christmas great for light-fingered opportunists.
Unfortunately many home owners have a habit of making things easier for burglars at Christmas time by becoming complacent about home safety.
One of the big culprits is your twinkling Christmas lights. Why? Because thieves prefer to enter homes through unlocked doors and windows, so they’ll be keeping an eye out for homes with Christmas lights on and extension cords being used through gaps in unlocked windows and doors.
Those of us heading off for a summer break should purchase an inexpensive light timer and ask our neighbours to pick up our mail, as burglars see lights burning 24/7 and piled up junk mail as signs a house is unoccupied. If you’re expecting a parcel in the mail, either make sure you’re home to receive it or ask a neighbour to pick it up for you.
If you’re out enjoying your work Christmas party, leave on some lights and a radio or television to make it look like someone is home.
Gifts are also a big target at Christmas, with thieves known to look through windows to spot presents under the tree. It’s good practice to place your tree in a room away from windows or with effective vision-blocking blinds.
Be gift savvy as well. Don’t leave the empty boxes within view outdoors so that opportunistic thieves can see that you’ve received something worth stealing. Break the boxes down or cut them up to conceal your new gifts.
If you need to update your home with security windows or doors, improved lock systems, flywire, rollershutters or other security features, find your local security services professional at Look Local WA.
