How to let Santa in and keep the burglars out!
It is the time of year where we start preparing our houses for the arrival of the big man….Father Christmas. So, your tree is up, you’ve hung the lights and wrapped the gifts, but as much as you want Santa to grace your house with a visit, there are some people you’d rather keep out. Burglars often strike this time of year because they know your house is stuffed with goodies. I have written a guide to help you let Santa in, but keep the baddies out.
If you don’t have a chimney Santa has to come through the back door, but thieves can also get in. Invest in a ‘Santa Key’. It’s a magical key that you leave out for Santa, a key only he can use. Meaning that you can lock your back or front door as usual, so that burglars cannot get in. Locking your doors is the number 1 thing you can do to secure your house, according to RSG Security; 73% of burglars use doors, which are open in 3% of cases.
If you have brought presents (to add to the ones that Santa brings) then it is advisable not to leave them on display. Not only will Father Christmas think he has already visited your house and not leave any more presents, it will entice burglars. Single parent families will be most at risk; RSG Security says that most likely break-in and burglary victims are single-parent families in urban UK areas as they are affected twice more than homes with two parents, and thrice more than households without.
You may be worried that Santa will set off your house alarm. Don’t be, Father Christmas has mastered skills over the years that means he will be undetected by an alarm. Burglars however will set off an alarm, so it is very important that if you have one, then you should always set it. Just the sight of a burglar alarm can deter a burglar. Most burglaries are not planned and are carried out by opportunistic criminals, having an alarm on your house means that thieves are less likely to pick your house to break in to.
It’s always a good idea to let Santa know if you are not going to be at home over the festive period, so he knows where to drop the presents off. However, it’s best not to advertise the fact that you are away. Invest in light timers, the sight of lights going on and off periodically will give the impression that you are home. Also make sure that you stop any deliveries of milk or a newspaper, several pints of milk stacked up at your door is a dead giveaway that you are not around. Another strategy to stave of criminals when you’re away is, if possible, ask a neighbour to park in your driveway.
While children write a list to send to Santa, it’s a good idea for you to be writing a list of your own. Dorset Police recommends that you; keep an inventory including description, serial number and photograph of each item or even register your valuable items at immobilise.com/ which will simplify insurance claims and Police reports with certificates of ownership.
It is so important at this time of year to protect your house and your family. When you suffer a break-in you lose more than just your possessions, you can lose your peace of mind too. For support after a break in you can visit www.victimsupport.org.uk/crime-info/types-crime/burglary .
Make sure your festive season isn’t marred by a burglary.