Consumer Corner: How to keep your house safe from burglars this Christmas season

Christmas is a prime time for burglars to strike and people should keep home security at the top of their minds

Consumer Corner: How to keep house safe at Christmas

Many people will be sitting down to watch the Christmas classic Home Alone this festive season. Although it is a great movie and very funny, at the core of the story is something that will be all too real for many homeowners this Christmas and that is making sure their homes are well protected from burglars. Also that their homes as safe with so many decorations being hung.

Alan Darcy of Aviva Insurance says that Christmas is a prime time for burglars to strike and said people should keep home security at the top of their minds.

“Most burglaries are opportunistic, so don’t make it easy for them by keeping your front door unlocked. Setting your home alarm while you’re out also acts as a great deterrent,” he says.

Most burglaries happen between 5pm and 11pm during the winter months, so another tip is to make sure you make it look like someone is at home during the evening hours. If you can, leave a visible light on whenever it’s dark outside. Mr Darcy said it’s also a good idea to purchase timer-controlled lights for use when you’re away for longer than a day.

It’s tradition to place gifts under the Christmas tree ready for everyone to open on the big day, but doing so may put your home at risk.

If your Christmas tree is visible through any windows, remember that means your presents are too which might be tempting for anyone with sticky fingers. 

"It’s best to remove any valuables from sight no matter what time of year it may be this includes laptops, jewellery, cash, and keys," said Mr Darcy.

Make sure that any Christmas gifts you received this year, particularly expensive items are covered under your home insurance contents cover. Some insurers will provide an automatic increase in cover at no extra charge over the Christmas but check with your insurer if you are in any doubt.

Also if you’re planning to go on holidays over the Christmas period, try to keep it quiet and stay away from social media. While social media is a great way of connecting with loved ones near and far, it’s also a haven for would-be thieves. You should avoid posting about your trip away online until you’re back, especially if your home is unoccupied for the duration.

If you are planning to be away for a period, you should lock away any prized possessions in a safe, unplug appliances like toasters, TVs, and computers. Don’t leave spare keys in predictable places like under the mat or in a flowerpot. They are the first places that burglars look. If you can at all you could monitor your home from afar with a hi-tech sensor system that you can check from your mobile phone.

Mr Darcy also said that safety should be a priority too for homeowners. He said a simple fire safety switch you can make is to use LED Christmas lights rather than traditional lights around your home.

“Remember to never leave your Christmas tree lights plugged in when going to bed or leaving your home, even for a short time. Make sure to avoid hanging decorations above or near an open fire or stove. Keep your Christmas tree at least four feet away from heat sources such as heaters, fires, and candles."

If you have a real Christmas tree, keep it in a pot of water to stop it from drying out and becoming highly flammable and try not to purchase a tree with brown needles, as these will fall out quickly and become a fire hazard.

If you purchase an artificial tree, be sure it has a CE safety mark and is flame retardant and only purchase lights that have the CE safety mark.

Paul Walsh, CEO of Peopl Insurance says that from burst pipes and floods to fires caused by Christmas tree lights, we all need to take extra precautions around the festive season to ensure we are fully covered.

It is essential that homeowners check the fine print of their home insurance policy, particularly whether their insurance will cover the unfortunate event of a fire ignited by Christmas tree lights. 

"While most insurers do provide cover for damage or loss resulting from Christmas lights, a word of caution is advised. Should the damage be attributed to wear and tear, poor workmanship, or careless light placement, you may find it difficult to get a payout from your insurer. Of course, every insurer is different so make sure to check for all eventualities, so you don’t end up out of pocket.”

Paul says that when you are buying your tree lights try and opt for new lights wherever possible, avoiding second-hand options, unless you are going to have them checked by a professional.

“Be sure to check the tree lights for any signs of frayed wiring or loose connections as these could potentially trigger a fire hazard. The same vigilance should extend to outdoor lighting, as these fixtures endure the harsh winter elements and are susceptible to damage and wear and tear.

"It’s not uncommon for house insurance claims to arise over the festive season due to a Christmas tree toppling over and causing damage to valuable items."