Can You Keep Burglars Out This Christmas With Booby Traps And Decoys?

Keeping your home secure was once all about having a burglar alarm and leaving lights on, but now people add booby traps and decoys to keep burglars away. The worry is that these may be more for the fictional film than real life home security.

According to new New Year’s Eve being the worst time.

Some 13 million households will be left empty as owners and tenants visit relatives and friends or fly away for winter warmth.

Many Brits though either don’t have a burglar alarm or don’t rely on one and have considered other ways of protecting their homes, including:

• Leaving a radio on at full volume behind the front door – particularly spoken-word stations, such as BBC Radio 4, which give the illusion of a conversation occurring in the home
• Icing their driveways, steps and patios
• Positioning cardboard cut outs or dummies behind netted windows
• Scattering sharp objects on the floor next to the front door and windows
• Setting up trip wires and ropes around the house
• Propping up front/back doors with household objects – such as chairs, pans and brooms
• Greasing doorknobs.

The worry is that whilst these techniques might work on film, in reality they are more likely to attract unwanted attention, even convince a would-be burglar there’s nobody at home, and result in a break-in.

Matt Pernet for MORE TH>N Home Insurance commented: “Our homes are one of our most treasured possessions, and given the number of burglaries at Christmas, it’s understandable that Brits would look at more elaborate methods of protecting their homes from intruders.

“However, home security isn’t about employing tricks and gimmicks that belong in fiction.

“If you want to minimise the likelihood of a break-in while you’re away over the festive season then stick to the basics: strong locks, removing any obvious signs that nobody is home and, of course, installing a highly visible, functional burglar alarm. It might seem costly at first, but in the long run it will be priceless.”

MoneyHighStreet comments: “Christmas is an expensive time which leaves many people in debt meaning it is vital to protect those presents you have bought and indeed those you receive.

“Taking  steps to secure your home is important, but take care that the steps you take are optimal – as Matt comments, it may be best to opt for the traditional ways such as putting on your burglar alarm, keeping presents out of site, don’t advertise your gadgets by throwing out packaging in full view and of course do leave lights and a radio on.

Make sure your home insurance is up to date just in case you are the unfortunate target of thieves – be aware of being underinsured too. This is a big and whilst many insurers automatically up their limits on home insurance policies to cover the extra value in homes over the Christmas period, make sure you check your limits are adequate.

“If need be, get individual items professionally valued and specifically covered by your insurance – get the help of an insurance broker if need be.”