How to keep your home safe this Christmas

Christmas isn’t just about Christmas Day; the celebrations start with the first office Christmas party and rarely end until in the New Year. During the festive period, how much time do you spend away from home? Whether it’s a night out, family reunion or a winter break, it’s a busy time for you – unfortunately, the same is true for your local burglars. If your property is left empty you should also consider what safety precautions you have in place in the event of a fire, particularly if your home is filled with Christmas decorations and extra lights.

We want everyone to be safe this Christmas, which is why our team have put together some great advice, whether you’re a homeowner, landlord or tenant.

Home Safety

• If you’re lucky enough to be going on holiday this Christmas/New Year, it’s worth adding a little extra security to your home. Alarms, video doorbells and security cameras can all be monitored by your smartphone and vary in price. Outdoor security lights can also discourage potential break-ins – they’re affordable and easy to set up.

• Be aware of temptations at your property, such as your tree, as burglars may assume that presents are also nearby. Avoid obvious hiding places for any presents or valuable items and park your car in a safe place.

• When it comes to holidays, nights out, or trips to see the family, try not to broadcast your whereabouts on social media. You don’t want to alert people that your property is empty, so make sure your profiles are set to private and save any photo uploads until you’re back home.

• After the big day, you’re probably going to be left with a lot of rubbish, which will include packaging from your presents. If you have unpacked televisions or games consoles etc., break down the boxes and fold neatly ready for your bin collection so that you’re not advertising what new items you have in your home.

Fire Safety

• Fairy lights are the perfect decoration for any home but they can also be a fire safety hazard. It’s recommended that you use low voltage LED lights on your tree as they don’t get as hot and can save you money on your energy bills.

• If you opt for a real tree, try to keep it watered to prevent it from drying out and causing a fire.

• Candles look great in your home but make sure they’re not left unattended or near any furnishings or decorations.

• Most fires start in the kitchen. As we expect you’ll be doing a lot of cooking, set yourself timers to avoid any fires.

Are you covered?

It’s a surprising fact that, unlike car insurance, home insurance isn’t compulsory – but it’s well worth investing in! Without insurance, it’s unlikely that you would be able to repair any damage or replace your belongings in the event of a fire, flood or burglary.

Following our safety advice can help you prevent common accidents and may help to deter burglars – but if the worst happens, at least you’ll be covered. If you already have insurances in place, double-check what it covers or look into swapping providers.

Now that your home will be safe and secure this Christmas, it’s time to enjoy the festivities! If you have a question for our team about selling or letting a property call us direct on 01633 870777.