🎄 Christmas Time, Mistletoe, and Crime 🎄
Christmas Time, Mistletoe, and Crime: Protecting Your Property During the Festive Season
The festive season is a time of joy, family gatherings, and celebrations. But while you’re decking the halls and singing carols, opportunistic criminals may be eyeing your property. Luxury homes, with their high-value assets and often less frequent occupancy during holiday getaways, are particularly attractive to burglars. Here’s how to keep your property safe and secure this Christmas.
- Don’t Let Your Decorations Give Away Too Much
Christmas lights and decorations are a staple of the season, but elaborate displays can sometimes draw unnecessary attention. To avoid signalling your absence or showcasing your wealth:
- Timers on Lights: Use smart plugs or timers to turn lights on and off at intervals, giving the impression someone is home.
- Avoid Displaying Gifts: Keep Christmas trees and wrapped presents out of clear view from windows. Expensive-looking packaging can tempt prying eyes. Ensure any deliveries are taken in promptly.
- Step Up Your Security System
Your mansion likely already has a security system in place, but the holidays are a good time to ensure it’s fully operational and upgraded.
- Check your alarm system: Check that your alarm system is operational is operational. Most importantly ensure you actually set it!
- Install Smart Cameras: Modern CCTV systems with remote monitoring allow you to check your property from anywhere.
- Upgrade to Motion-Activated Sensors or Analytics: These can be placed in key areas to deter intruders or notify you of unexpected activity.
- Consider Temporary Security: Depending on the property you may wish to consider a temporary solution, ideal for short-term protection during your Holiday.
- Mind Your Online Presence
We all love to share festive moments, but oversharing can be dangerous.
- Delay Holiday Posts: Avoid posting about trips or events until after you return home.
- Privacy Settings: Review your social media settings to ensure that only trusted individuals can see your posts.
- Be Cautious with Deliveries: Large packages left unattended can signal high-value items. Request discrete delivery or secure parcel drop-offs.
- Enlist Help While You’re Away
If you’re leaving for a Christmas getaway, having someone keep an eye on your property is invaluable.
- Hire a House Sitter: A trusted individual staying in your home can deter intruders.
- Ask Neighbours to Help: If house-sitting isn’t an option, ask a neighbour to collect post and ensure bins are put out and brought back in to maintain the appearance of occupancy.
- Professional Patrols: Consider a routine patrol service tailored to high-value properties.
- Secure Entry Points
Many burglaries occur because of overlooked vulnerabilities.
- Reinforce Doors and Windows: Ensure all locks are robust and consider laminated glass for added protection.
- Install Smart Doorbells: These allow you to see and speak to visitors remotely, adding another layer of deterrence.
- Automate Gates and Garages: Modern systems can alert you if they’re tampered with or left open.
- Plan for Power Outages
Winter storms can cause outages that disable alarm systems. Prepare for this possibility by:
- Backup Power  Keep security systems running during a power cut.
- Battery-Powered ? UPS systems: Ensure key devices have battery backups and are regularly maintained
- Invest in Discreet Luxury Security
Sometimes, the best security is the kind no one notices.
- Invisible Perimeter Fencing: Sophisticated systems can alert you without compromising aesthetics.
- Covert Cameras: Cameras hidden within fixtures or landscaping can keep an eye on areas discreetly.
A Safe Christmas Is a Merry Christmas
The festive period should be a time of celebration, not worry. By taking proactive steps to secure your property, you can relax and enjoy the season, knowing your home and valuables are safe.
If you’re interested in bespoke security solutions, from rapid deployment systems to comprehensive smart security, get in touch with J-Tech Systems to book your comprehensive security review.  Our expert team ensures your peace of mind, so you can focus on what matters most.
Stay safe and have a very Merry Christmas.
