With all that comes with Christmas, the decorations, lights, baking, cooking and festivities, it is important to be safe and keep your home, business, and belongings secure… all whilst having fun of course.
On top of putting your health and wellbeing of your loved ones first, here are five tips to help you minimise any risks while you deck the halls.
1. Keep travel plans offline
If you’re planning to travel during the holiday season, be sure to keep your travel plans off your social media. Never post where you’re going, when you’re leaving, or when you’ll be back.
This is prime information for a burglar because they’ll know when your house will be empty. Even if you have the highest level of security on your Facebook or Instagram accounts, posting this kind of information is never recommended.
2. Notify a neighbour
If you decide to go out of town during the Christmas period, be sure to notify a trusted neighbour. Ask them to keep an eye on your house and report any suspicious activity.
Another way to make it less obvious that no one’s home is harnessing the power of home automation. Add a motion sensor light or use smart plugs and smart lightbulbs to control lights, TVs, and more from anywhere.
3. Hide packages and gifts
You probably want to keep gifts out of sight from children, but you also want to make sure gifts are hidden from a potential burglar as well. Putting wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree looks nice, but it’s also an open invitation for a burglar. Try to keep your Christmas tree, with gifts underneath, away from windows or other places with a view. When you aren’t home, it’s easy to break through a window and grab all your gifts.
And don’t forget to take care of gifts you haven’t received yet. Thieves like to strike when there’s a delivery or package left unguarded by the door. Consider adding a doorbell cam or other outdoor security cameras to help burglars. Another smart move is to give delivery people special instructions about where to leave packages.
4. Watch your Christmas lights
Fire hazards increase during the holidays. Before you string lights on the house or the tree, be sure to inspect the strands for frayed cords or cracked blubs. To prevent an accidental fire, replace any broken bulbs, and throw away strands with frayed cords.
If it’s time for new lights, look for cords that have been tested. Be sure to check the packaging to see that the manufacturer’s name and information are clearly marked.
Also, be sure to turn holiday lights off when you leave or go to sleep at night. Try using an outdoor timer or smart outlet to switch lights on and off. And gather the whole clan together to review how to use a fire extinguisher and make sure yours is accessible and in date.
5. Secure your Home from Bushfires and Storms
Australia is a wonderful place to live, but Mother Nature can provide a few challenges. Whether it be fires, storms, floods, or other natural disasters, sitting down for a few moments to put together a disaster recovery plan could never be considered wasted time.
As always, many government agencies providing excellent advice on how to plan ahead to mitigate damage to your property, whether it be your personal property or your business.
The SES has two very useful websites, www.stormsafe.com.au and www.floodsafe.com.au.
Some of the pointers from the Storm safe site include:-
- Maintain your yard and balcony. Secure or store items that could blow around in strong winds
- Clean your gutters, downpipes and drains regularly to prevent blockages
- Trim trees and branches that could potentially fall on your home or property
- Fix any damage to your roof, including broken or missing tiles
- Check your insurance policy is current and adequate
- Make a plan for your family that outlines what you would do in an emergency
- Prepare an emergency kit with essential items in case you lose power or need to leave home in an emergency
- Listen to your local radio station and other media for weather warnings
We hope you all have a happy and safe Christmas Period with your family.
From all the team at ARMA Insurance Brokers CQ, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
