Security blog: Don't have a nightmare before Christmas

With burglaries expected to rise as much as 28 per cent during the winter months, it would be wise to put together a home security checklist alongside your shopping lists this Christmas. New Year's Eve is the second busiest day of the year for burglaries (up by 25 per cent) with burglars taking advantage of unoccupied homes while revellers are out and about enjoying the celebrations leaving behind their expensive gifts.

If your home has been targeted for a premeditated burglary, one thing a burglar will try to identify is when you will be away from the property. This will allow them to take the heavier, bulkier items as well as items such as laptops and tablets, which are generally the most expensive.

So you should therefore be aware of the dangers of using social media, updating your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts with holiday plans, social events and checking-in posts. These have become part of everyday life, but they also tell the online world when you are not in, therefore you are unwittingly inviting burglars to your home. Always wait until after the event before posting pictures and revealing any information of nights out.

A Christmas security checklist to assist you;

• Ensure Christmas presents placed under the tree are not in full view from the window.
• At night shut and lock windows and doors. Draw curtains and blinds.
• Do not feed electric cables for external Christmas lights through an open window.
• Don't advertise through social media sites or through email messages that you will be away for Christmas.
• If you have a burglar alarm, set it whenever you leave the house. If you do not have one, Banham can offer you a free survey.
• After Christmas don't advertise your presents by leaving cardboard boxes and packaging by the dustbin. 

Christmas is a time for giving and receiving but remember: Burglars take

To have Kevin answer your security questions or for a free no-obligation survey email kevintirvengadum@banham.com website www.banham.co.uk