How to keep your home safe from burglary and fire at Christmas

It’s completely normal that we lose sight of the day to day management of our home safety at this time but unfortunately the winter months are the months where our homes are most likely to be burgled.

Burglary rates typically increase during winter months as the nights become darker making homes more vulnerable. Commenting on this, Eoin Dunne, PhoneWatch Managing Director outlined, “It’s reassuring to note that national burglary rate has decreased in the last 12 months (from July 2022 to June 2023). However, we can’t become complacent, it is important to remain vigilant when it comes to home security. Even one burglary is one too many. At PhoneWatch we know from speaking to new customers how traumatizing a burglary can be for the homeowner. We want to remind all homeowners to take simple but necessary steps this Christmas to help avoid the trauma of a burglary in their home. This is especially important in these darker evenings when typically, burglary rates are known to increase.”

Fire instances also become particularly prevalent during the month of December especially with the increasing usage of Christmas lights, candles and electrical appliances. 

In December 2022, PhoneWatch advised that they dispatched the fire services for 92 incidents which was the highest monthly rate of the year. Thankfully, the 2023 rates have decreased by over 18% compared to the previous December. 

But the message from PhoneWatch remains the same - it's so important to take small steps to protect your home from burglary and smoke all year round. 

Here are five simple steps we can all implement now and throughout the Christmas period to prevent fire and burglaries:

1. Effectively manage deliveries: We naturally receive more packages before Christmas, as we order gifts. So, we need to review our email notifications from delivery companies to ensure we take in parcels, as soon as possible in case they get stolen. You could ask a neighbour or friend to take them for you if you’re away most of the day. If you have a wireless doorbell camera, it would be perfect for alerting you when packages arrive, and you’ll see the delivery person at your door.
   
   
2. Monitor Christmas lights usage: While all homes look beautiful with an array of festive lights, smoke and fire incidents increase around December, according to the NDFEM (National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management). A lot of these incidents relate to electrical faults. So, be mindful to test cords, replace broken lights, don’t use frayed cords and this will help reduce accidental fire incidents. Don’t stack multiple plugs on a single electrical outlet, instead use extension cords.
   
   Also, don’t leave lights or candles on while you are asleep or not home. It is helpful to check all that your smoke alarms are operating correctly, and the batteries have been replaced if required. If you don’t have smoke alarms in place, it can be useful to get a home alarm system that monitors fire alarms 24/7. If any appliances are left on, your smoke alarm will sound, giving you the opportunity to quickly rectify the situation. Similarly, if you’re away or asleep and you have a monitored smoke alarm, the monitoring company will alert you and if necessary, dispatch the fire services.
   
   Most home security companies also provide smart plugs, whereby you can arrange for certain lights and appliances to go on and off when you arm or disarm your alarm.
   
   
3. Inspect fireplaces and chimneys: As the evenings become increasingly colder and we have more family gatherings, we tend to light fireplaces and stoves more frequently, some people may even start their first fire of the winter period in December. So, it is important to review your chimney, so that it isn’t clogged from the previous year. You can professionally hire a chimney sweep or do it yourself if you have the required tools. This will eliminate unnecessary fire incidents.
   
   
4. Don’t share your holiday plans on social media: Christmas is the perfect time to visit friends and family near and far. Don’t post your holiday plans on social media, as people will then know your home is vacant and you’ll be more susceptible to a burglary. If you want to share precious pictures, do so when you return home.
   
   
5. Don’t leave presents in open view: Potential burglars can see gifts easily through your windows and be tempted to break in, so it is best to keep them out of plain sight. If you have a home alarm, turn it on day and night, whether you are at home or away. 

The best way to have a worry-free holiday season is to take the time to review your current home security and safety features, and create a family fire safety plan. Applying the above five tips will go a long way to preventing you and your family from experiencing an unwanted burglary or smoke instances this Christmas.