How Bristol Local Locksmiths can keep your home safe & secure at Christmas

Did I just see Rudolph flying through the sky???? This must mean the inevitable Christmas season is upon us and it is really important to think about how secure your property is. Christmas time is a prosperous time for burglars – with pricey presents neatly tucked under the tree and a higher chance of homeowners being out visiting family, down the pub with friends or undertaking last minute shopping, homes are a treasure trove for thieves.

Did you know most burglaries take place between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Contrary to popular belief, the majority of home burglaries take place during daylight hours, not at night. That’s because most people are at work or school—which reduces the chance the burglar will be noticed.

Burglars will look for an easy entry with good escape routes. Don’t openly display your Christmas tree and gifts in the front window so it’s easily visible from the street. It’s too tempting for them to smash the window and grab the wrapped packages.

Almost 30% of burglars enter a home through an unlocked door or window. A surprising number of burglars gain access to homes through open or unlocked entrances. First floor windows and doors are especially well-liked by burglars—particularly when a burglar can be concealed behind overgrown vegetation.

So how secure is your property? By following this helpful advice from Police.uk, you’ll be celebrating Christmas knowing you are safe, secure and full of smiles with the family.

• Lock your doors and windows every time you leave the house, even when you're just out in the garden, remembering to double-lock UPVC doors (lift handle and turn key)
• Hide all keys, including car keys, out of sight and away from the letterbox (remember a device could be used to hook keys through the letterbox)
• Install a visual burglar alarm
• Install good outside lighting
• Get a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your property
• Leave radios or lights on in your house on a timer to make the property appear occupied
• Make sure the fences around your garden are in good condition
• Secure bikes at home by locking them to an immoveable object inside a locked shed or garage
• Keep ladders and tools stored away; don't leave them outside where they could be used to break into your home
• Ensure side gates are locked to prevent access to the rear of the property
• Ensure rear fencing is in good repair
• Improve natural surveillance at the front of your property i.e. trim high hedges
• Mark your property with postcode and house number and register your property for free with Immobilise
• Consider joining or forming a Neighbourhood Watch scheme
  
• Remove valuables from view of ground floor windows
• Store any high value items (i.e. jewellery, passports) in a properly secured safe or bank vault

After Christmas day, don’t pile up empty gift boxes from your new tablet, Xbox one game console or expensive toy boxes on the street for the rubbish people. Burglars appreciate knowing that you have expensive gifts inside for them to steal. Break them down or cut them up to conceal the items better. After a lucrative burglary, the chances of being burglarized again are increased to steal the new replacement products.

At Bristol Local Locksmiths we can help you make your home or business safe not only during the festive season, but all year round. We install quality locks and if needed, we can make suggestions on how your security can be improved further, If it is a job we can't do ourselves, rest assured we can recommend reliable, reasonable and reputable firms to carry out your other security needs.

Don't let burglars spoil your Christmas and New Year, contact us today.