Keeping Your Home Safe at Christmas

Sadly, crime at Christmas is a common issue. There are a reported 17 residential burglaries per day over the winter period in Ireland. Whether you are staying at home this holiday period and have plenty of new items and tech in the house, or you’re travelling away to spend time with loved ones, leaving your home vacant for a few days, there are some things you can do to help improve the security of your home, including professional alarm installation by the Network Security team.

Tips to protect your home over Christmas

Criminals are always looking for a moment where they can take advantage, and Christmas is a time of year where there are more advantages to break-in to homes, and higher criminal rewards due to buying new gifts. Here are some tips to help you stay safe and to protect your home over the holidays.

Don’t advertise your movements on social media

With social media playing such a pivotal role in our everyday lives, it is difficult sometimes to switch it off and to not post everything that we do. If you are planning on going away for a few days don’t advertise the fact on your social media channels, even if your settings are private.

Be careful when leaving your home

When you are heading out for the day or the evening over Christmas, be as discreet as possible. When you are getting into your car, packing up things to drive away for a trip, or chatting to the neighbours on your way in or out, you never know who might be around listening to your chat and hearing your plans.

Lock all the windows and doors

This is a basic one, but it warrants repeating. Whenever you are heading out, even for a short time for a few hours, double check every door and window before you leave. We get so busy, especially around Christmas, and it can be easy to dash out of the house without checking everything before you leave. This is an opportunity for burglars at this time of year, with a window slightly ajar giving a chance for them to break in.

Be careful with packages

This time of year is the busiest for delivery drivers with packages being delivered to most homes. As you are waiting for gifts to arrive it’s important to be vigilant to ensure that criminals don’t have a chance to steal anything before you arrive home. Security cameras, doorbell cameras, lighting, and secure post boxes that are located outside of your home can all make a difference to the security of your packages.

Security lighting

Ensuring that the outside of your home is well-lit, including around the front door and potentially vulnerable areas adds to your security. Alongside security lighting, making your house look lived-in with lights turning on with timers, makes a difference as a deterrent to criminals looking for vacant properties to target. Motion-sensors that activate security lighting is a great way to keep things safe.

Home security systems

A robust home security system that is fully installed and ready for the Christmas period gives you fantastic peace of mind. Utilising smart technology to link different devices in your home, including the lighting and security cameras, with alerts or a fully monitored home alarm that adds another layer of security to protect your home over Christmas.

Prepare for Christmas with a safe and secure home

Christmas is just around the corner, and we all want to have a jolly time at home with our family. It’s a time of year that should be full of warmth and joy, but it is important to be aware of the heightened potential for burglaries at this time of year, with plenty of gifts and money being present in most homes, and others laying vacant during the holidays as people travel away to stay with friends and family members for the big day itself.

We’ve put together a list of some of the simple steps that you can take to ensure your home is kept safe this Christmas. One of the best ways to protect your home is to install a home security system from Network Security. We have modern security technology and professional guidance to help you fully protect your home at Christmas, and throughout the rest of the year. Get a free security consultation today and get peace of mind that your home is secure – the best Christmas present you could receive!