Safety tips to protect your home these holidays

THE festive season is the ideal time to spend with family and friends and keep the stress at bay.

Enjoying the outdoors or going away on holiday are also at the top of the agenda for many, which means it is imperative to ensure your home is safe during your absence.

This is the time of year when burglars target properties, striking when many people are away from home.

It is not only burglars you have to worry about during the festive season, but also take precautions to prevent incidents.

Carelessness can end in painful loss and injury.

Here are six festive safety tips to keep your humble abode safe during the holidays.

1. Install a monitored security system

There are many home security systems available at affordable prices. These are a great way to monitor your home from any location. Make sure to test all zones of the alarm system before you leave, to ensure they work properly.

2. Keep your plans offline

Taking proper precautions will not only help you keep your home safe, but also lets you enjoy the season without worrying about your property.

One of the most important steps is to keep your holiday plans offline.

Social media has become an important part of our lives and we tend to upload everything we do, or plan to do, to share our lives with our family and friends.

By sharing your holiday travel plans on social media, you are sending an open invitation to burglars. It is safer to post after you return.

3. Give your home a lived-in look

Deceive outsiders into thinking the house is occupied. Technology is the key to successfully implementing this holiday safety tip.

Install a home automation technology system that can be controlled remotely, or scheduled to turn the lights on and off at a set time.

4. Take help from a neighbour

Having friends around is the best security system and costs nothing. Ask a neighbour to pick up your post and newspapers in your absence so the house looks occupied. You can also notify your Neighbourhood Watch or CPF regarding your travel plans so there is someone keeping watch while you are away.

5. Position your Christmas tree and gifts wisely

Make sure you position the tree and gifts away from the window, out of view. Be discreet when disposing of gift boxes, or new appliance boxes, so as to not alert burglars as to what valuables are inside your property.

6. Lock up

Keep security gates locked at all times, and ensure doors and windows are properly secured. Do not let your guard down during the holiday festivities.