WHILE CHRISTMAS IS a time to relax, it does present its own unique risks when it comes to keeping your home safe.

The good news is that there is plenty of good advice out there and plenty of ways to stay vigilant. We’re looking at some of the main risks that come with Christmas time — including burglary, fire and bad weather — and how you can take steps to help reduce the risks of each.

Burglary

Unfortunately, burglaries tend to spike each year at around Christmas, meaning that you need to be extra vigilant about taking steps to keep your home safe each winter. 

Christmas can often mean a change to our schedules. Whether it means we’re going to be in our homes a lot less or a lot more, the important thing is to be mindful of any new risks that might arise.

Whether you’re home or away, you should remember not to leave valuables under the tree if it’s in view of a public-facing window. After Christmas morning, move them to a part of your home that can’t be seen from outside. 

If you are going away for the Christmas break, you should take measures to deter burglars – such as strong padlocks on all sheds, garages and gates. Similarly, a ring doorbell can detect motion offering some peace of mind by sending real-time notifications. In the longer term, installing burglar-deterrents such as motion-triggered external lighting, CCTV cameras, and home security alarms will help keep your home safe while you’re away – perhaps in time for next year.

Because it is a season of higher risk, it’s best not to take any chances. This means making sure your doors and windows are locked each night and whenever you leave the house. It’s also best to avoid leaving a spare key in an obvious spot, like under your bins or beneath a potted plant. The better thing to do is to keep a spare key in a coded lockbox, or to leave it with a trusted friend or neighbour.

Insurers advise keeping your holiday plans off social media and only post about them afterwards, so as to avoid broadcasting that your home will be empty. Another step you can take is to set interior lights to a timer to give the impression that the house is not empty.  

However, these aren’t the only things you need to be aware of this Christmas.

Fire safety

It’s not really Christmas without a tree, but you still need to make sure to put your tree in a safe place that minimises the risk of fires. If you have a real tree, keep it at least one metre away from fireplaces, candles, heating vents, and lights. You should also remember to water it regularly, as it will become more flammable if it dries out.

If you’ve put up an artificial Christmas tree, make sure it is fire-retardant and remember not to leave it anywhere near sources of heat, such as heaters, radiators and fireplaces. Another thing to remember when wrapping fairy lights around the tree is to check the wires carefully and make sure they have not become frayed. 

Other hazards that tend to be more prevalent at Christmas are candles, portable heaters and open fires. Make sure never to leave a fire unattended in your home, and to keep flames far away from anything that might be flammable, such as wrapping paper and Christmas cards. With candles, you should also be mindful of flames getting too high. If this happens, put out the candle and trim the wick before relighting.

If you’ll be cooking at Christmas, remember that someone responsible should always be in the kitchen while the oven or stove are on. Always start by clearing away food and grease buildup as grease is highly flammable, and be sure you have fire-resistant oven mitts, potholders and lids to hand in order to smother flames.

Weather

The winter months don’t tend to bring the most pleasant weather with them, which can mean frost, rain, snow or extreme cold. Frozen pipes are one example of a wintertime disaster that can happen during sub-zero temperatures. The best way to prepare for this is to insulate your pipes and keep your house warm. 

If you have an attic, it can also be a smart idea to leave its door open to bring its temperature closer in line with the rest of the house to prevent freezing. 

One of the most important things is to inspect your windows and doors for cracks that you can seal, improving the comfort and safety of your home, and reducing the risk of damage to your pipes.

Nobody likes to think about these things happening, but by being prepared, you can reduce your risk of a disrupted Christmas. You can also protect your belongings by insuring your home; so if you do have a Christmas mishap, you’re covered. 

With Allianz Home Insurance, contents cover automatically increases by 10% for the months of December and January, allowing you to enjoy all those special purchases with peace of mind.

Get 10% off new policies online at www.allianz.ie/home-insurance.  

Allianz p.l.c. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Standard acceptance criteria, minimum premiums, and terms & conditions apply.