The holiday season can be a time of joy and cheer that we'll always remember fondly. However, just because it's the most wonderful time of the year doesn't mean we should let our guard down!

Unfortunately, criminals are also very active during Christmas.

According to insurance company LV= General Insurance (LV=), 67 per cent of theft claims reported last December were for home break-ins, compared to 46 per cent in July; and claims are already up by 4 per cent this year meaning there's an even higher risk now.

To help us protect ourselves better over the silly season, former burglar Michael Fraser stepped forward with advice on how to minimise your risk.

His main point was very simple: burglars prefer the holiday season since people are out more frequently so they are less likely to be spotted or caught in the act, compared to the winter months when more people are at home.

Here's what he has to say:

The holiday travel season is peak time for burglars, who are actively searching for empty homes to break into. Credit: Pexels/KoolShooters.

Don't let Christmas cards catch you out

His first piece of advice is to destroy any envelopes that contain personal information. The holiday season brings an increase in mail volume and the possibility of identity theft posed by thieves. That is why it is important that you shred all mail that contains any personal information before throwing it away.

Keep your Christmas tree, gifts, and any valuables out of view

Next, he said you should avoid putting your Christmas tree and any gifts, packages, or valuables near a window, as this makes you more of a target for thieves.

'Everyone knows that a pile of presents under a Christmas tree tells burglars there's an opportunity to grab some potential goodies,' he explains.

'Christmas tree lights are also a good way for a burglar to tell whether you're in or not, so consider having these on a timer, but make sure to change the timing every day, so burgers don't pick up any patterns.'

Wrap your presents as soon as possible to prevent people from determining their value. Credit: Pexels/Liza Summer.

Protect your presents and wrap them as soon as possible

Another thing he pointed out is that you might want to wrap presents right away after purchase whenever possible.

Potential thieves won't be able to tell the value of a gift if it's wrapped, and thieves are much more likely to take something that's been left unwrapped. Michael claimed that many thieves don't bother to open packages to see what's inside because they're too lazy to do so.

Keep your holiday plans a secret

He also said that it's really important to make sure you don't leave bags and suitcases in view - it's an obvious sign you're going away and that the house will be empty.

'Keep them hidden under a bed until you set off for your trip,' he advised.

'Also, double-check that your calendar isn't readable for outsiders looking in. If in view, burglars can find out the exact dates you're going to be away from home, so move these out of sight from a window.'

A 'Beware of the dog' sign may not do much to protect your home. Credit: Unsplash/William Bayreuther.

Reconsider having a 'Beware of the dog' sign at home

It is a common misconception that 'Beware of the dog' signs deter criminals when in fact, they can serve as an open invitation. This indicates that a potentially simple target—an unprotected home—is being guarded around by an animal they can possibly outsmart.

'Consider joining the local neighbourhood watch as this means others can have eyes on your house whilst you're not home,' he suggested. 'Neighbourhood watch signs can also be far more off-putting to burglars.'

Make sure your home and garage are closed off before leaving

If you're going out of town for Christmas this year and leaving your car at home, there are a few extra things you can do to keep it safe.

Michael recommended that anyone who owns a garage should consider installing a second alarm. Also, ensure all windows in the house are covered up to prevent anyone from looking in.

'If your car is parked on the street, then try to parallel park it, as burglars will look at how a car is parked and if it will be easy for them to manoeuvre,' he added.

Key Takeaways

• A former burglar has provided some tips on how to prevent a break-in this festive period.
• Destroy any envelopes that contain personal information to reduce the possibility of identity theft.
• Remember to hide your Christmas tree, presents, and other valuables from prying eyes by placing them far from windows.
• Don't let random people know how much you spent on gifts by wrapping them up right away.
• Keep your travel intentions a secret, and avoid leaving your luggage and suitcases out in the open because doing so suggests that you'll be gone for a while.
• If you're worried about possible burglars, ditch the 'Beware of the dog' sign and become connected with your neighbourhood watch instead.
• Make sure that all your doors and windows at home and in the garage are shut before you leave. You don't want anyone to be able to see inside.

And if these reminders from Mr Fraser aren't enough for you, maybe one of our articles talking about the 'early warning signs' that your home might be at risk of burglary might help.

We'd like to hear your thoughts on this, members. What other security tips can you offer for keeping your homes safe over the holidays? Share them with us in the comments below!

 

[Thecheesequeen]

One year our family went to the Boxing Day test in Melbourne. We were going to visit friends afterwards, and had their gifts in the boot. After the cricket we came back to our car to discover it had been broken into, and the wrapping paper ripped off all the gifts. The thieves obviously didn’t want what was inside, as all the gifts were left. All they were able to steal was a couple of dollars in coins.

 

[JayKay]

If going away, even for a week, have a trusted friend or a relative come around to put your bins out, in the same spot you regularly place them.
Drop a few things in them.
Bins not out is like waving a flag saying we are away.
Arrange to have them brought back in.
If you normally receive junk mail, don't suddenly place a NO JUNK MAIL sign on your letterbox.
Arrange to have it collected, along with your mail.
The sudden appearance of these signs is another red flag....if you are away.
If you set internal lights to come on at times they would normally come on, ensure the curtains are closed to these rooms, otherwise undesirable people have a clear view into your lit up empty home.
Happy, safe holidays, folks.

 

[Luckyus]

The holiday season can be a time of joy and cheer that we'll always remember fondly. However, just because it's the most wonderful time of the year doesn't mean we should let our guard down!

Unfortunately, criminals are also very active during Christmas.

According to insurance company LV= General Insurance (LV=), 67 per cent of theft claims reported last December were for home break-ins, compared to 46 per cent in July; and claims are already up by 4 per cent this year meaning there's an even higher risk now.

To help us protect ourselves better over the silly season, former burglar Michael Fraser stepped forward with advice on how to minimise your risk.

His main point was very simple: burglars prefer the holiday season since people are out more frequently so they are less likely to be spotted or caught in the act, compared to the winter months when more people are at home.

Here's what he has to say:

View attachment 10431

The holiday travel season is peak time for burglars, who are actively searching for empty homes to break into. Credit: Pexels/KoolShooters.

Don't let Christmas cards catch you out

His first piece of advice is to destroy any envelopes that contain personal information. The holiday season brings an increase in mail volume and the possibility of identity theft posed by thieves. That is why it is important that you shred all mail that contains any personal information before throwing it away.

Keep your Christmas tree, gifts, and any valuables out of view

Next, he said you should avoid putting your Christmas tree and any gifts, packages, or valuables near a window, as this makes you more of a target for thieves.

'Everyone knows that a pile of presents under a Christmas tree tells burglars there's an opportunity to grab some potential goodies,' he explains.

'Christmas tree lights are also a good way for a burglar to tell whether you're in or not, so consider having these on a timer, but make sure to change the timing every day, so burgers don't pick up any patterns.'

View attachment 10432

Wrap your presents as soon as possible to prevent people from determining their value. Credit: Pexels/Liza Summer.

Protect your presents and wrap them as soon as possible

Another thing he pointed out is that you might want to wrap presents right away after purchase whenever possible.

Potential thieves won't be able to tell the value of a gift if it's wrapped, and thieves are much more likely to take something that's been left unwrapped. Michael claimed that many thieves don't bother to open packages to see what's inside because they're too lazy to do so.

Keep your holiday plans a secret

He also said that it's really important to make sure you don't leave bags and suitcases in view - it's an obvious sign you're going away and that the house will be empty.

'Keep them hidden under a bed until you set off for your trip,' he advised.

'Also, double-check that your calendar isn't readable for outsiders looking in. If in view, burglars can find out the exact dates you're going to be away from home, so move these out of sight from a window.'

View attachment 10433

A 'Beware of the dog' sign may not do much to protect your home. Credit: Unsplash/William Bayreuther.

Reconsider having a 'Beware of the dog' sign at home

It is a common misconception that 'Beware of the dog' signs deter criminals when in fact, they can serve as an open invitation. This indicates that a potentially simple target—an unprotected home—is being guarded around by an animal they can possibly outsmart.

'Consider joining the local neighbourhood watch as this means others can have eyes on your house whilst you're not home,' he suggested. 'Neighbourhood watch signs can also be far more off-putting to burglars.'

Make sure your home and garage are closed off before leaving

If you're going out of town for Christmas this year and leaving your car at home, there are a few extra things you can do to keep it safe.

Michael recommended that anyone who owns a garage should consider installing a second alarm. Also, ensure all windows in the house are covered up to prevent anyone from looking in.

'If your car is parked on the street, then try to parallel park it, as burglars will look at how a car is parked and if it will be easy for them to manoeuvre,' he added.

Key Takeaways

• A former burglar has provided some tips on how to prevent a break-in this festive period.
• Destroy any envelopes that contain personal information to reduce the possibility of identity theft.
• Remember to hide your Christmas tree, presents, and other valuables from prying eyes by placing them far from windows.
• Don't let random people know how much you spent on gifts by wrapping them up right away.
• Keep your travel intentions a secret, and avoid leaving your luggage and suitcases out in the open because doing so suggests that you'll be gone for a while.
• If you're worried about possible burglars, ditch the 'Beware of the dog' sign and become connected with your neighbourhood watch instead.
• Make sure that all your doors and windows at home and in the garage are shut before you leave. You don't want anyone to be able to see inside.

And if these reminders from Mr Fraser aren't enough for you, maybe one of our articles talking about the 'early warning signs' that your home might be at risk of burglary might help.

We'd like to hear your thoughts on this, members. What other security tips can you offer for keeping your homes safe over the holidays? Share them with us in the comments below!

We used to wrap up bricks and such, put them under the tree and keep the real presents out of the way till Christmas Eve.