We might be inadvertently signalling to burglars that our homes are empty – here’s how to avoid becoming a target
As the festive season approaches, many of us will be leaving our homes to visit loved ones, attend work Christmas parties, and generally celebrate with those closest to us.
Whilst these Christmas festivities are eagerly anticipated, we could inadvertently be alerting burglars to our vacant properties when we head out to enjoy them.
Criminals are skilled at identifying when a property is empty, and understanding their strategies can aid in protecting your home. Matthew Lake, a home security expert from Guardian Safe And Vault, has highlighted how thieves might deduce you’re away over the festive season and offered advice on mitigating these risks.
Unvarying lighting patterns
Consistent lighting patterns are a dead giveaway. If lights are perpetually on or off, it suggests that there’s no one home to alter them, reports the Liverpool Echo.
To counteract this, utilise smart home technology or timers to generate varied lighting schedules. This simulates an occupied home, making it less apparent that you’re absent.
Accumulating post and parcels
A mounting pile of post, leaflets, newspapers, or undelivered packages outside a property signals that the occupants may be away for a significant length of time.
However, you can arrange for a hold on mail and newspaper deliveries via your local post office whilst you’re away. For parcels, either plan deliveries for when you’re home or employ secure package delivery services.
Alternatively, you could ask a neighbour to pick up these items on your behalf.
Neglected exterior
An uncut lawn or snow piled up on the driveway (should we be fortunate enough to see any this year) can signal to opportunists that nobody is home. This becomes especially obvious when surrounding homes appear well looked after.
The solution is simple – arrange for a friend to tend to the lawn or shift any snow whilst you’re away. This creates the impression that someone is still living there.
Matthew concluded: “While it’s disheartening, the reality is that some criminals exploit the festive season for personal gain. However, with the right precautions in place, you can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a target and ensure the safety of your home and belongings.”
