Home security at Christmas: how to keep festive thieves at bay
Worried about opportunistic thieves this Christmas? Find out how to ward them off – and the pivotal roles doors and windows can play.
Security is an all-year-round concern. But there are times of year when extra precautions are called for.
Summer holidays are one such time. Christmas is another.
It's not just that your house is more likely than usual to be housing some coveted gifts. It's also that you may be away for the holidays, leaving your home vulnerable to burglary.
There's no single way to increase your home security. There are doors to lock, tech to be invested in and favours to call in from neighbours, family and friends.
But whatever steps you choose to take, we're sure of one thing: you shouldn't forget about your windows and doors.
In a way, it's easy to see why. Windows and doors are the most commonly used access points for burglars.
But there's another, less obvious reason upgrading your doors and windows can help keep your home safe this Christmas. And this is that not all windows and doors are created equal.
For every door and window built for security, with durable materials and robust locks, there's another that leaves your home vulnerable to intruders.
Doors and windows are our speciality – so it's no wonder we're highlighting their importance. But they're far from the only security measure worth taking.
So, here are some steps you can take to keep festive thieves at bay this Christmas. Just make sure there's room for Santa to get down the chimney…
Lock everything
Obvious, right? Well, yes. But you'd be surprised by just how many people forget to lock everything.
And by everything, we mean everything. Doors and windows should be secured, including those on upper floors. And you should make sure not to forget sheds, side gates and garages while you're at it.
Not any old lock will do, however. Most locks on the market provide an acceptable level of home security. But if you want to go the extra mile, we recommend Yale locks.
There's a reason why Yale locks are recommended by the UK police force. They're super-secure – and given their high-level performance, they're pretty affordable too.
Here at Calder Windows, all our doors and windows are fitted with Yale locks or multi-point locking systems. It's a sign of how seriously we take home security – not just at Christmas, but all year round.
Take extra security measures
These days, the security industry is laser-focused on tech. If you can afford them, a home alarm system, smart video doorbell or motion-sensor security lights are all great ways to scare off burglars.
These are all external installations – but you can also make changes indoors to keep the light-fingered away.
You can invest in an automatic timer switch to turn on lights and radios in the evening. This gives potential thieves the impression that you're in. This is one way to achieve the "illusion of occupancy" – a key aspect of any home security effort.
Oh, and if your house is festooned with blow-up Santas and the like, make sure they're physically secured with cords and wires. You don't want to come home to find your festive display a shadow of its former self.
Keep your valuables out of sight
Thieves know that Christmas is a time of year when people have more valuables than usual in their homes. They also know some people might leave those valuables on display. Jackpot!
If you're worried about festive thieves, you should make sure to keep presents out of sight until Christmas Eve. That way, you're not dangling any baubles in front of any Yuletide opportunists.
Keeping valuable presents out of sight has an added bonus, too. Your family are less likely to fiddle with their presents, making for an even better surprise!
Home security when you're away for Christmas
Are you away for Christmas this year? If you're worried about burglars, you may want to create "the illusion of occupancy". This phrase refers to any attempt to give passersby the impression that you're home.
There are two key ways to achieve this. The first is to cancel deliveries – after all, if a potential thief sees your deliveries piling up, they'll know you're away.
The second way is to enlist a friend or neighbour to make it look like you're still at home. They can achieve this by collecting your mail, putting the bins out and even parking their car in the driveway.
You should also be careful not to make your whereabouts obvious online. Account set to private? By all means, let your followers know you're having a festive getaway. But if your account is public, think twice before advertising the fact that you're not home.
Upgrade your doors and windows
No home is truly secure without high-quality doors and windows. These are the most obvious access points for any thief scouting out your property.
In this context, however, "high-quality" means a few things. It means robust materials – preferably a uPVC or composite frame and toughened glass panes.
It also means the best locks in the business. At Calder, we fit our windows and doors with multi-point locking systems and Yale euro cylinder locks. These are the UK police force's lock of choice – and Yale offers £1,000 in compensation if the cylinder is broken by a bandit.
And finally, it means the materials used to make the windows and doors are from trusted suppliers.
Here at Calder Windows, we're confident enough about the quality of our doors and windows to offer a 10-year warranty.
It doesn't matter whether you're installing a small bathroom window, French doors or something in between. Security and quality go hand in hand – and we can provide both.
Are you looking for a door and window supplier that takes security seriously? At Calder Windows, we've been fitting high-quality, highly secure windows and doors in Yorkshire for more than 30 years. Get in touch today for a quick, competitive quote or visit our Normanton showroom.
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