Don’t give burglars a Christmas bonus

Specialist insurance broker Footman James urges club members to step up security over the festive period to ensure burglars are kept at bay.

Statistics show that one in five houses in the UK are likely to be left unoccupied for at least one night over the Christmas holiday period, raising the risk of burglaries.

Home Office statistics show that burglaries rise by 20 per cent in the weeks immediately before and after Christmas, so the Midlands based broker is bracing itself for a busy month and issues its top ten tips for a stress free Christmas.

Paul Matthews, managing director of Footman James said: “With people buying expensive gifts in the run up to Christmas it is important to make sure your household insurance policies reflect the value of high value items such as jewellery or electrical items.  At Footman James we can provide increased levels of cover to include costly presents and other items like food and drink.

“In addition to the increased risk of burglary as a result of leaving their homes unoccupied, home owners are also at increased risk of water pipes freezing or bursting, particularly in the current cold snap that we are experiencing.  That is why it is so important to make sure that you are properly insured and have suitable security measure in place, so that you can ensure that your Christmas is an enjoyable one.”

Footman James’ top tips for a safe and secure Christmas:

Home security

Check your contents cover in advance to see what limits you have on valuable items, such as jewellery, so amends can be made in time

Keep presents locked up and out of sight until Christmas day and large presents like bikes locked in sheds or garages

Buy a special security marker pen before the big day ready to mark those expensive gifts with your postcode, just as soon as you open them

Dispose of your packaging carefully – don’t advertise expensive purchases to potential burglars

If you are away over the festive period, ensure that papers and milk deliveries are cancelled, and lights work on timers – a dark house is a key signal to burglars

Check your home security now – simple measures like deadlocks on doors and windows can significantly reduce your risk of being burgled

Avoiding damage claims

Ensure all of your pipes, cistern and water tank are well insulated

Make sure that your fridge and freezer are kept at the right temperature to avoid damage to food and drinks and minimise food poisoning

Ensure that the lights on your Christmas tree are the ‘cool’ burning variety and check your wiring carefully to avoid Christmas tree fires

Fix dripping taps or pipes as leaks could freeze in low temperatures, leading to burst pipes

If you are leaving your home unattended for a period of time, set the heating timer to come on at regular intervals

Find and secure any loose roof tiles, pipe work and guttering before cold and stormy weather sets in