TORC Top Tip For Tenants: Christmas Home Security & Safety
Home Security
When it come to home safety and security in the home, people often think that fires, accidents and burglaries happen to other people and not themselves. Its very easy to become complacent. Why not take two minutes to run through these tips to remind yourself of best practice when it comes to security and safety precautions. You don’t want a fire or a burglary to ruin your Christmas holidays and time with friends and family.
- Don’t publicise holidays on social media: Free to access information can be used by criminals to find out when your house is vacant
- Lock your doors and windows: Sounds obvious, but the busy festive period can make us forget simple things like locking windows and doors
- Consider a timer switch for lights: A well-lit home is a deterrent for thieves
- Packaging: Be careful how you dispose of the packaging once presents have been opened – leaving empty boxes in plain view/near bins will advertise to burglars the expensive items in your home
- Spare Key: The first Place a burglar will look for your spare key is under the mat, under a flowerpot, a rock, a garden gnome etc. A safer option would be to give a spare key to a trusted neighbour
Fire and safety hazards can be avoided by taking the following precautions:
- ‘CE mark’: All electrical leads, Christmas lights etc. MUST have this mark. Using non-CE electrical equipment leaves the quality of the items in doubt and exposes homes to a fire hazard
- Switch off lights when unattended: During the festive season, switch off Christmas lights when going to bed or leaving the house.
- Use only one extension cord: Do not consider doubling up on extension cords. Stick to one and invest in longer cords if necessary. Don’t overload electrical sockets
- Candles: Choose reusable LED candles over real candles. If you do use real candles, make sure they are in a holder and at least 1 meter from anything flammable and out of reach of children and pets
- Do not use outdoor lights indoors: Outdoor lights are insulated specially for that purpose.
- Check lights for frayed wires, kinks or broken connections
