Locking in the Christmas Cheer: Ensuring Safety in Every Home
As the festive season is in full swing and the big day fast approaches, homes across the UK are adorned with decorations, and the spirit of Christmas fills the air.
Amidst the joy and celebration, it's crucial to prioritise the security of our homes and belongings. Living rooms, garages and sheds often house valuable items and can be vulnerable targets for opportunistic thieves during this busy period.
Ensuring these areas are well-secured not only protects your possessions but also provides peace of mind, allowing you to fully embrace the holiday cheer.
Securing Your Garage
Garages frequently store high-value items such as vehicles, bicycles, tools, and holiday decorations. To safeguard these possessions, investing in robust security measures is essential. Here are some top recommendations:
The Abus 140/120 hasp paired with the 24IB60 Diskus padlock offers unmatched security and weather resistance, making it the ideal choice for outdoor use. Designed for seamless compatibility, the padlock fits perfectly into the hasp, with its shackle fully protected by the hardened staple for maximum security.
Crafted with a stainless steel body, the 24IB60 padlock is completely weatherproof, ensuring it stands up to even the harshest outdoor conditions. Whether you're securing garages, gates, sheds, or other outdoor equipment, this set provides a durable and reliable solution for long-term protection.
Ideal for securing larger items in your garage, this ground anchor can be placed on the floor or wall, providing a fixed point to lock bicycles or machinery. The Squire GA6 ground anchor is Sold Secure Diamond approved and comes complete with all necessary fixings. It can use a chain up to 22mm in diameter and is fully case-hardened to RC60 spec.
Enhancing Shed Security
Sheds often contain gardening tools, equipment, and other valuables that can attract thieves. Implementing the following security measures can help deter unauthorised access:
High-Security Padlocks: Opt for padlocks with hardened anti-corrosion finishes to withstand both tampering and adverse weather conditions. The Squire Stronghold 50mm padlock, for instance, boasts a Sold Secure Gold rating and a grade 3 on the CEN scale, indicating its robustness. Offering incredible protection, this lock provides great torsion and cutting resistance thanks to its anti-corrosion finish and hardened steel shackle and body. It’s also good to know that all Squire padlocks come with a 10-year guarantee.
Closed Shackle Design: These padlocks minimise the exposed shackle area, making it more challenging for bolt cutters or saws to breach the lock. Such designs are particularly effective in enhancing shed security.
Security Chains: Utilise security chains in conjunction with ground anchors to secure large items within the shed, preventing easy removal. This layered approach adds an extra hurdle for potential thieves.
General Security Tips for the Festive Season
Beyond securing specific areas, adopting general security practices can further protect your home during the Christmas period:
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Install motion-activated lights around your property to deter intruders. Well-lit areas are less attractive to those with malicious intent.
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Ensure your home alarm system is functional, and consider extending coverage to garages and sheds. Modern systems can often be integrated to cover multiple areas of your property.
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Engage with your community to monitor each other's properties, especially if you plan to be away during the holidays. A vigilant neighbourhood can be an effective deterrent against crime.
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With the increase in online shopping around the festive period, ensure parcels are not left unattended. Arrange for deliveries to be received by a neighbour or use secure delivery boxes to prevent theft.
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Avoid posting about being away on social media to stop opportunistic thieves from knowing when your home will be easy to target.
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Keep gifts out of view from your windows. If thieves are looking for the best houses to target, ones with easy access gifts on display are likely to look like the best opportunities for them.
By implementing these security measures, you can ensure that your home remains a safe haven during the festive season. Protecting your valuables not only prevents potential losses but also allows you to focus on what truly matters—enjoying the Christmas cheer with family and friends.
