After an unacceptable number of reported robberies occurring in the high peak area this Christmas, here are some ways you can keep you and your house safe this winter.

Pretend You’re Home

Whether you’re out and about or simply sitting at home, it is crucial to do whatever you can to make your home look occupied. This can be done by leaving a light on and keeping the tv or radio on. This noise will also scare burglars as they will assume someone is home, making the house more difficult to burgle as the chance of being caught increases. 

Be Cautious in Bad Weather 

Living in the north, we are no strangers to a spell of wind and rain and during these typical weather conditions, it can be routine to hear things and assume it’s the wind blowing something over; however sometimes it can be someone attempting to break into your house by damaging your windows or doors so it is always best to double check. 

Keep Valuables Out of Sight 

Valuables such as TVs, phones and house and car keys are prime items for burglars to look for as they are highly valuable and usually expensive items. If possible, try not to have your TV on display for people to see when walking past your house as this will let burglars know that you have that particular item. Hiding keys in a safe and unlikely place is also a sensible idea as robbers can easily access them if you leave them in obvious places like near your front door. It’s also important to use blinds and curtains strategically. 

Be Mindful of Social Media 

As tempting as it can be to post your holidays or belongings on social media, always be aware of the repercussions these actions could have in the future. If you post pictures of your holiday whilst you are there, this will inform people that your house is empty which is  a perfect time for someone to attempt to break in. Also, showing off your personal and valuable possessions on social media isn’t always a smart idea either as people then know what items you have in your house.

Install a Home Security System 
Even though these systems can be expensive, they are most definitely worth it. From ring door bells which enable you to see who is at your door at any given time as well as being notified when someone rings the bell to an alarm system which would go off if someone attempted to break in to your property. Any method of security is better than nothing, therefore it is worth investing in a system which increases the feeling of security and also the chance of the robber being caught if they did try and break into your property.