Protect your home
Thieves are unwanted house guests that can taint the festive season or your summer holiday. So, how can you safeguard your home?
Words: Jeremy Rochow
The festive period is upon us, and you might be planning to go away or celebrate at home. Regardless of your plans, you’ll want to try to protect your home from thieves.
Kevin McCallister from Home Alone might have had some ingenious traps, like slippery and spiky obstacles and heated door handles, to defend his home but these seven measures are a little more practical.
1. Keep Christmas gifts out of sight
You’ve set up the Christmas tree in the front window and now you’re laying out gifts. This might be a bad idea. Opportunistic Christmas grinches (thieves) may take advantage of the tree’s prominent location. Instead, consider placing your tree out of sight. And, once those gifts have been opened, avoid leaving packaging outside as it might help burglars compile a ‘shopping list’.
2. Create an illusion
Kevin’s fake party with cardboard cutouts isn’t as far-fetched as it may appear. Give the appearance that someone is home while you’re away. Ask somebody to collect your mail and put the bin out on rubbish night. Keep a car in the driveway and use timers to switch lights on and off at different times.
3. Avoid posting photos
While you’re away on holiday, avoid posting pictures on social media. Thieves can use this insight to target homes when the owner is away for long periods.
4. Beware where you put your bins
You might have locked that outside gate, but then you’ve placed your bins in front of the fence. This could give an intruder a leg up into your backyard. Instead, place your bins in a secure location.
5. Invest in security equipment
Monitored home security systems can be effective burglar deterrents. Make sure you have the system tested and serviced regularly and consider displaying stickers and signs showing you have security installed. A security camera might also be a good investment, allowing you to keep an eye on your home while away.
6. Keep your property well-lit
Landscape lighting, motion-sensor lighting or timer lighting all improve visibility around your properly, helping to eliminate dark corners for intruders to hide in. This can potentially make it difficult for trespassers to approach your home undetected or possibly startle them as they get close to the house.
7. Secure and insure your home
Ensure you lock your doors, windows and garages. It can deter opportunistic thieves who walk around looking for any unlocked doors or windows. Lastly, make sure your insurance is up to date, so your valuables and gifts may be covered.
IMAGE: Getty.
Allianz South Australia Insurance Limited ABN 14 007 872 602 AFSL 232525 (Allianz SA) is the insurer and Royal Automobile Association of South Australia Limited ACN 677 371 274 (RAA) issues this under binder from Allianz SA. RAA do not provide any advice based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Policy terms, conditions, limits, exclusions, and underwriting criteria apply. Before making a decision about this insurance, please consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Supplementary PDS (if applicable) available with the Target Market Determination (TMD) at raa.com.au.
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Don’t have RAA Home and Contents Insurance or need to update your sum insured? Chat to one of the RAA insurance team on 8202 4567 or visit raa.com.au/insurance
