As the nights draw in and Christmas approaches, opportunistic thieves often become more active. Dark early evenings, empty homes and new gifts and gadgets all make a tempting combination.
You can’t control the season, but a few practical steps can keep your home, your car and your valuables safer through the winter months.
Check your security is working
Now is a good time to make sure everything works as it should. Test your intruder alarm, check that your CCTV is recording and that camera views are clear, and make a habit of setting systems whenever you go out and at night.
Check your door locks as well. Police forces often recommend cylinders that meet a recognised standard, such as the British Standard kitemark with three stars or Sold Secure Diamond, since weak locks are an easy target. If you’re unsure what you have, a locksmith or security professional can tell you.
Look after keys and vehicles
Keep your car in a garage if you have one, and don’t leave car keys near the front door or visible from a window. Thieves can use tools to reach keys through letterboxes. Keep doors locked even when you’re at home, and store spare keys out of sight.
Make your home look lived in
An empty, dark house is an obvious sign that no one’s home. Leave a light on, or use timer switches to bring lamps and a radio on at sensible times. Outdoor lighting by entrances also makes it harder for anyone to work unseen.
Seasonal checklist
- Test alarms and check that CCTV is recording
- Fit or check outdoor lighting at doors and side access
- Keep gifts, laptops and tablets out of sight from windows
- Break down and dispose of packaging from expensive items carefully
- Avoid keeping large amounts of cash at home
- Store valuable jewellery securely or away from the property
Don’t advertise what you’ve got
Burglars like to know what’s worth taking. Leaving empty boxes for a new TV or games console beside your bin tells passers-by exactly what’s inside. Keep valuables out of view from windows, and keep cash and sentimental jewellery somewhere secure.
Don’t be a target this winter
A few minutes of preparation now can save a great deal of stress later. If you’d like help reviewing your security before the darkest months, our team is happy to help.
