Father Christmas isn’t the only person wanting to sneak into your home this Christmas.

As many of us are visiting family, out at the office party or doing that last bit of Christmas shopping – it’s the ‘perfect’ time for burglars. In 2018 the number of robberies, burglaries and thefts soared by 20% over the Christmas period.

The latest must-have electronics, jewellery and toys are all rich pickings for burglars.

So what can you do to keep your home safe this Christmas?

Move gifts.

A Christmas Tree with lots of beautifully wrapped gifts looks beautiful. Keep them hidden and out of sight from windows and doors. Sideboards, loft or the cleaning cupboards (kids will never find them in there) are all great places to keep them outsight for the big day.

Lock it up.

It may seem self-evident, but make sure all windows and doors are closed and locked. This will make your property less vulnerable.

Lights, Camera, No Action!

Smart home security is a no brainer. They offer features such as video surveillance, notifications to your phone and cloud storage recordings. As well as an extra level of security, it helps you avoid door sellers or annoying neighbours.

Bikes.

Some say the greatest gift you can give at Christmas. We can all remember getting our first bike at Christmas. So if you get or give a gift this Christmas, register it with the National Cycle Database https://www.bikeregister.com/.If you are going away for a long time, think about purchasing a timer for your lights. Alternatively, ask one of your trusted neighbours to pop in and turn the lights on and off again.

Dispose of boxes correctly.

Boxes left up against the bins are a familiar sight on bin collection day after Christmas. Break them up and leave them securely until they can be disposed of correctly.

Let me take a selfie!

It’s always nice to share a poolside selfie, tweet about a new gift or check-in at the airport before you go away at Christmas. However, you should make sure that you have the right level of security settings on social media accounts. Back in 2017, footballer John Terry posted a family photo showing them on holiday while burglars invaded his Surrey home. Over £400,000 worth of designer goods were stolen and £19,000 of damage was caused to his home.

Check your insurance

Make sure that you have sufficient cover for both buildings and contents insurance. It’s worth giving your insurer a call after the festive period to advise of any new expensive gifts that are covered.

Need home or contents insurance? Then let us compare the market for you and find you the best quote for you and your home.