Happy Holidays! Crack Down on Christmas Crime   LONDON, December 10, 2003:-- The holiday season is a time when many people are away visiting family and friends or simply getting some winter sun. Unfortunately, burglars love Christmas as much as we do. If you leave your home empty at Christmas, it means you could be at greater risk of being burgled.

Anti-crime Safety Tips from Across the Pond   PRINT

At the same time leaving presents and valuables in your car or presents visible under the Christmas Tree makes your car or home a shop window for any opportunist thief who comes along.

Burglary and car crime actually increase during the festive period, so here there are a few suggestions to help you keep the season jolly.

• Always remember to lock everything away in the boot/trunk of your car. Remember - it might not even be valuable, but does a thief know that? TOP

• Mark expensive presents, such as electronic equipment, with your postcode, drivers license, homeowners insurance policy number or some other identifying permanent mark by engraving or using a UV pen. Ask your local crime prevention officer for latest property advice for a range of different surfaces and conditions.

• Consider insuring valuables or taking photographs of them as this will help identify anything that is stolen.

• Remember that thieves will be on the look-out for presents - so don't leave these under the Christmas Tree in view of the window. Hide them somewhere safe until you need them (which makes them more of a surprise too!)

• If you are at home or you are away, remember to keep back doors locked and use your window locks

• Keep an eye out for the vulnerable and elderly people over Christmas. TOP

• Make sure you use your door chain when you open your door to strangers, and ask for identification - and check it.

The holiday season is a time when many people area away visiting friends or family - or simply getting some winter sun. Unfortunately, it is also a time when burglaries increase. Here are some things you can do to make your property safer while you are away:

• Tell your neighbors of friends that you will be away and ask them to look after your house. One useful thing they could do is to make sure any newspapers or mail are pushed properly through your letter box, and that deliveries are not left on your doorstep.

• Tell your Neighborhood Watch leader that you will be away and ask them to keep an eye out for you.

• Buy some timers for your lights, radio and TV so it looks like you're at home.

• Cancel the milk and papers while you are away

• Hide any presents or valuables while you area way - most burglars are looking for easy pickings. TOP

Enjoy your time away!

CHECKLIST

Here is a checklist that you could use to make your home safer over the holiday period.

Have you:

• Told your Neighborhood Watch leader when you will be away and informed him/her of anyone whom may be caring for pets or plants while you are gone?

• Do you have your house keys with you before you lock the door?

• Called your alarm company?

• Removed any keys hidden outside?

• Set timers for lights, TV and radio?

• Kept valuables and goods away from windows and outside viewing?

• Locked your car in the garage?

• Cancelled the newspaper and milk deliveries?

• Asked your neighbors to push your post through the letterbox properly if applicable?

• Locked external doors, and window locks on all opening windows and drawn any shades on windows that are easy to see inside from the street?

• Locked your shed and locked away all tools and ladders?

• Turned off your appliances and unplugged all curling irons, coffee makers and other small appliances? TOP

With a few simple precautions, Happy Holidays can be yours too!

Further information on keeping your property safe over the holiday season is available in The Happy Holidays Fact sheet (supported by Kleeneze). Other fact sheets available in this series include Bogus Callers, Home Security, Personal Safety and Good Neighbour. For orders email info@neighbourhoodwatch.net

Or go to neighbourhoodwatch.net
to download fact sheets.


Source: National Neighbourhood Watch Association, (England)

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