These Eight Clever Tips Could Help Protect Your Home From Burglars This Christmas

We can't think of anything more devastating than coming home over Christmas to discover that your house has been broken into. The stress.

With recent research from Zurich Insurance showing that 45% of Irish people are living in times with now house alarms, they've released eight things you can do to protect your home.

Stay safe this Christmas by following these eight pieces of advice...

• Ensure that all windows and doors are locked, and alarms set before leaving the house;
• Hide keys and other valuables such as Christmas presents out of sight from passer-by’s or would be burglars;
• Don’t share your holiday plans on social media;
• Apply timed switches on lights so it looks like you’re at home when you’re out;
• Make your home alarm visible and ensure it’s noisy as it will ward off burglars;
• Trim trees and bushes as burglars can hide behind unkempt shrubbery and overbearing branches, using them to get closer to houses without being seen;
• Install motion sensor lighting in your garden to prevent burglars from sneaking around unseen;
• Make your house look occupied if you’re travelling over the Christmas period and give a friend, relative or trusted neighbour a key so they can collect excess post.

Colm Blake, Marketing Manager at Zurich Insurance, said: "An empty house is an easy target for burglars so people should do everything they can to avoid bringing unwanted attention to unoccupied homes while away on travels. Apart from the more practical home security measures, we’re advising people to be extra careful when sharing holiday plans outside of close friends and family, particularly on social media."

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