Top tips for keeping your home safe

Even as security systems increase in sophistication, burglaries still pose a significant threat to UK homeowners.

Unfortunately, thieves don’t seem to take a break over the winter months and home thefts often increase during the festive period.

To avoid having your Christmas ruined, we've pulled together some tips on how to help keep your home and belongings safe.

Lock it up

While it may sound obvious, the most important step in securing your home is to lock (and double lock, if possible) all points of entry. Even if a door leads to an unused room, keep it locked up. This will make you less vulnerable should an opportunistic burglar decide to come in through a window.

Even when you’re relaxing in the comfort of your own home, it pays to be vigilant. Burglaries can take place when the thief is aware that someone is home, so be sure to keep an eye on any unlocked front doors or windows that may attract a potential intruder.

Improve your security

If you’re really eager to deter thieves, the first thing you should do is install CCTV.

Cameras are one of the biggest deterrents for burglars, but a Co-op Insurance study revealed that only 14 per cent of UK adults have them installed.

It's best to install CCTV at the front and back of your house. To ensure these cameras are visible to potential thieves, place a light close by or put a sign up to show them you mean business.

Similarly, motion-activated lights are essential for all areas of your property. This brings attention to anyone approaching your home, which is a burglar’s worst nightmare. We recommend installing these lights if your home isn’t well lit by street lights.

If you’re not into your tech, sometimes the most effective safety precautions come with four legs. Whether you have a dog or simply have a recording of one barking, the sound is another deterrent when breaking into a property. Why not purchase these sounds on CD or MP3 to play while you’re out of the house?

Team up with your neighbours

The folks next door are good for more than just a cup of sugar; they’re safety-conscious homeowners just like you.

If you haven’t already, consider organising a neighbourhood watch group. These are great for raising awareness of ongoing crimes and providing information on what to do in emergencies.

Top tips

• close your curtains when you have the lights on inside, as in the dark winter months it's easy to tell when a house is unoccupied and burglars can use this to their advantage.
• if you’re out for the night, leave a light on inside to look like the house is occupied.
• whilst out Christmas shopping, don’t let your belongings out of sight and make sure they are secure, as in busy crowds you can be an easy target for pick pockets.
• leave your presents out of sight and well hidden, even when they’ve been opened.
• be careful what you post on social media and how open your account is.
• after the mania of present opening, don’t leave boxes on show outside for thieves to see what presents you’ve got.
• check your insurance policy, as presents kept in your home will be covered by your usual contents insurance. If you’ve bought big ticket items as gifts, they may need to be listed separately.
• the limit for single items ranges from £1,000 to £2,000, so check your policy and call your insurer if you’ve purchased anything above your limit.
• make sure high value items such as gadgets are covered away from the home too, as these are not necessarily covered on a standard home insurance policy – personal possessions cover is often required.
• check whether your insurance policy covers accidental damage for any breakages to new items like laptops, or wine spillages over the Christmas period.