Tip 5 of The 12 Security Tips of Christmas

The fifth tip of our ‘The 12 Security Tips of Christmas’...

“Remember the Grinch who stole Christmas...never ever ever leave any presents or valuables where they can be seen by a burglar i.e. in view of a window!”

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The majority of insurance providers will advise that you keep any valuables out of sight. According to Aviva you should be aware of any ‘top pickings’ for burglars; “consoles, games and DVDs make up 62% of belongings stolen”, “other favourites include cameras, computers, mobile phones, MP3 players and jewellery” (Aviva). 

A burglary infographic from Tesco Compare showed that the top 5 most stolen items included...

·         Mobile Phones (6%)

·         Jewellery and Watches (11%)

·         Cameras and MP3 Players (13%)

·         Laptops (15%)

·         Money (17%)

Many Police Forces across the UK are advising against leaving valuables on view in your home especially presents. Some Police Forces are even using Christmas cards to get this across as you can see from the image below, which basically demonstrates how presents or valuables on show can be window shopping for a burglar. 

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Tameside Homewatch has urged local residents to not only keep valuables out of sight but also if possible safely lock them away in a drawer or cabinet. 

 So remember don’t leave any valuables on view and don’t make it a happy Christmas for burglars!

Tip 4 of The 12 Security Tips of Christmas

The fourth tip from our ‘The 12 Security Tips of Christmas’...

“As part of our security advice we recommend that you either join or start a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

Neighbourhood Watch works to bring neighbours together who want to look out for each other, creating strong, friendly, active communities where crime and antisocial behaviour are less likely to happen. 

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To find your local Neighbourhood Watch, or for information on how to start a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, please visit http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/

 

Alternatively if you don’t have a Neighbourhood Watch in your area and are going away for Christmas, inform a trusted neighbour that you are doing so, so they can keep an eye on your property.”

Tip 3 of The 12 Security Tips of Christmas

The third tip from our ‘The 12 Security Tips of Christmas’... 

"If you are going to be away for a long period of time ask Royal Mail to hold your mail - they will do this for up to 2 months. We always recommend asking the Royal Mail hold your letters as they will pile up inside the front door and will be an invitation for a burglar as they will be able to see you’re away." 

Going away during the Christmas Holidays?

The Royal Mail operates a Keepsafe™ service during the Holidays. This service literally consists of the Royal Mail holding onto any parcel and letters whilst you're away for up to 66 days and will deliver them to your home once you have returned.

The service is supported by The Home Office Identity Fraud Steering Committee as it reduces the risk of identity fraud when you are on Holiday as the service ensures that you do not leave any obvious clues to your absence such as a mountain of letters piled up on your doormat (Royal Mail).

To find out more about prices and setting up the service visit http://www.royalmail.com/personal/receiving-mail/keepsafe

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Tip 2 of The 12 Security Tips of Christmas...

Over the next few weeks in the lead up to the Christmas Holidays we will be sharing security tips every other day for your peace of mind. The second tip from our ‘The 12 Security Tips of Christmas’...

"We always recommend that it’s a good idea to leave a light on or on a timer, especially during the Holiday season when you’re more likely to be out Christmas shopping or attending a party! Leaving a television or radio on is also a good alternative to leaving the lights on."

As the Holidays approach the majority of us will be frequently out of the house for long periods of time whether that is due to attending an office party or just simply doing the Christmas shopping. In order to deter a burglar from breaking into your home it is regularly advised that if you are planning on returning when it is most likely to be dark, “lighting up your home is a useful deterrent of burglary” (Metropolitan Police). 

Burglar Deterrent sell a fantastic product called the 'Dusk to Dawn Light Bulb Attachment', all you have to do is place one of these on your light fittings and your lights will come on automatically at dusk and turn off at the selected number of hours. The 'Dusk to Dawn Light Bulb Attachment' can be purchased at the following link www.burglardeterrent.co.uk/Dawn-to-Dusk-Light-Bulb-Attachment

WikiHow’s steps on ‘How to Prevent Residential Burglary’ not only advise to install timed lights but also recommend leaving a radio or television on. If you don't want to leave the TV or Radio on another great burglar deterrent product is 'Fake TV' which literally makes it look like someone is at home watching TV. 

Although it is an American product 'Fake TV' can now be purchased in the UK at the following link www.responseelectronics.com/safety-security-c1/faketv-intruder-burglar-deterrent-ftv10-p24

Watch 'Fake TV'  in action below...

     

Tip 1 of The 12 Security Tips of Christmas...

In the next couple of weeks we will be sharing a Christmas security tip every other day so that you can sit back and enjoy the holiday period without worrying about the security of your home.

"Store bins and ladders away your the property as these can be used to access 1st floor windows."

Don’t give a burglar a leg up! The majority of leading home insurance providers will recommend that it is always a good idea to lock up anything that can be used by a burglar to gain entry to a first floor window or climb over a fence i.e. wheelie bins and ladders. 

Home insurance provider Saga advise that all ladders should be securely locked away in a garage or shed. If you are using a garage or shed with windows to store anything that can be used by a burglar to gain entry it is also good to have curtains fitted to stop anyone from seeing in!     

The 12 Security Tips of Christmas...

Tis the season to be security conscious! Look out every other day this holiday season for our ‘The 12 Security Tips of Christmas’...

Each of these security tips will help you to make sure your home is secure for peace of mind this Christmas!    

The UK’s most burgled cities and towns

Our last security blog looked into a recent report by the Daily Mail that November is the month you are most likely to be burgled, this study also revealed frightening statistics such as during the month of November a home in the UK is burgled every two minutes (figures provided by LV=Home Insurance).

Further to this, insurance provider RIAS have recently released figures that reveal the UK’s most burgled cities and towns. The figures as published in the Independent have indicated that the most burgled cities in Britain include Bradford, London, Manchester and Leeds with the average claim from a burglary costing £2,433. These figures also revealed that November (10 percent increase) and December (25 percent increase in first week) 2012 saw the highest increase in burglaries.

Interesting Facts

• 5 bedroom houses are 3 times more likely to be burgled over that of 1 bedroom houses (RIAS).

• The risk of burglary is twice as high in urban areas than in rural areas (Tesco Compare).

• 56% of burglaries occur at night (Tesco Compare).

• The reported most desirable items for a burglar to steal included jewellery, cash and laptops (RIAS).

• Over 85% of burglaries are committed by men (Tesco Compare).

For more interesting facts take a look at this infographic from Tesco Compare http://www.tescocompare.com/infographics/burglary_statistics.shtml#.UpczN-I7BQI

Britain’s ten most burgled cities and towns 

1. Bradford 
2. London 
3. Manchester 
4. Leeds 
5. Oldham 
6. Milton Keynes 
7. Coventry 
8. Huddersfield 
9. Sheffield 
10. Redhill

Source: RIAS

So don’t get caught out this Christmas and watch our home security tips videos...

 

Neighbourhood Watch

As part of our security advice we also recommend that you either join or start a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

Neighbourhood Watch works to bring neighbours together who want to look out for each other, creating strong, friendly, active communities where crime and antisocial behaviour are less likely to happen.

To find your local Neighbourhood Watch, or for information on how to start a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, please visit http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/