Thefts cost insurers £2623 on average
Homes are 22% more likely to be broken into on 31 December than on an average day, reports the Guardian.
According to a decade’s worth of claims data from Aviva, burglars take Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off, but New Year’s Eve is the worst day for burglary.
Almost three-quarters of UK citizens feel more at risk of burglary over Christmas, yet only one in four will increase their home security despite these thefts costing homeowners or insurers an average £2,623, according to Confused.com.
Reformed burglar Michael Fraser, now a presenter on BBC’s Beat the Burglar program said homeowners should take note of extra security measures over the holiday period.
¦ Don't leave door keys in obvious hiding places such as underneath a pot or a mat or dangling in the letterbox. Thieves know all the tricks.
¦ Keep hedges at the front of the property low – don't give the burglar the cover he requires.
¦ Paint drainpipes with anti-climb paint and install motion-sensitive security lighting around the exterior of the property.
¦ Fit a brightly coloured burglar alarm and place high up and prominently to the exterior of your house.
¦ Always lock up your garden tools and furniture that could help a burglar to break in.
¦ Always shred confidential paperwork before disposing of it.
¦ Take dated photographs of your rooms so that, in case you are the victim of a burglary, you can provide photographic evidence of your contents.
¦ Keep suitcases in your loft or attic as these can be used to carry valuables away.
