{"id":14993,"date":"2023-12-10T03:15:03","date_gmt":"2023-12-09T21:45:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/im-a-security-expert-keep-presents-away-from-doors-this-christmas\/"},"modified":"2023-12-10T03:15:03","modified_gmt":"2023-12-09T21:45:03","slug":"im-a-security-expert-keep-presents-away-from-doors-this-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/im-a-security-expert-keep-presents-away-from-doors-this-christmas\/","title":{"rendered":"‘I’m a security expert, keep presents away from doors this Christmas’"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"Robber<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/p>\n

‘Tis the season for opportunistic burglars (Image: Getty)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

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Christmas is a time for celebration, joy, and giving – however it could also be the prime time for opportunistic burglars.<\/p>\n

Home security experts from Everest have urged Brits to be extra cautious about making themselves an easy target for burglary this Christmas, as well as sharing their top tips for a safer Christmas – and don\u2019t worry, you won\u2019t have to construct any Kevin McCallister-esque contraptions.<\/p>\n

There are over 20,000 burglaries each December in the UK according to Police data, and Everest\u2019s home security expert has warned homeowners against the allure of beautifully wrapped presents visible to would-be-Christmas-stealing-Grinches through patio doors.<\/p>\n

Everest’s home security expert Anthony Threlfall says: \u201cBurglary is a horribly intrusive crime at any time of year, but perhaps made even worse due to the time of year and if a family’s gifts are stolen just a few days before Christmas, leaving everyone, especially the children devastated.”<\/p>\n

Fortunately, there are some quick, easy, and cost-effective security measures everyone can take this Christmas to ensure that it remains the most wonderful time of the year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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READ MORE: <\/strong> Top festive break-in hotspots in the UK named <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Exchanging<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/p>\n

A security expert has urged homeowners to keep gifts away from windows and doors (Image: Getty)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

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Everest Home Security expert Anthony Threlfall\u2019s top security tips are:<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t make it tempting<\/h3>\n

Visible gifts near windows and doors can tempt opportunist burglars, so it is advisable to keep presents away from them.<\/p>\n

Anthony Threlfall says: \u201cWhilst getting in the festive spirit and piling up presents around the tree makes everyone feel excited in advance of the big day, it also presents a critical security risk.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cTry to keep presents away from any windows and doors until at least 48 hours before Christmas to limit the opportunist threat, especially if there is nobody at home for extended periods of the day. And don\u2019t forget, this basic security precaution costs nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"A<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/p>\n

‘Check your locks’ is the advice of one security expert (Image: Getty)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

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    Lock check<\/h3>\n

    The locking system is the most fundamental part of your door\u2019s security – if someone is trying to force entry into your home, they must get through your locks first.<\/p>\n

    Older uPVC doors with multi-point locking were once thought to be ultra-secure, but the cheaper euro cylinder locks are vulnerable to snapping, meaning burglars could hain entry in under 30 seconds.<\/p>\n

    If you have an older uPVC door or patio doors, it is worth checking the cylinder or getting a locksmith to check it is still in good working order.<\/p>\n

    Anthony says: \u201cA Euro-lock cylinder should meet the following security criteria to make it much harder for an opportunist criminal to strike: BSI Kitemarked \u2013 TS007 3 Star Rating, Master Locksmiths Association – SS 312 3 Star Sold Secure Diamond<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    \"Letters<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/p>\n

    Would-be criminals use letterboxes to hook keys and other items with a retractable rod (Image: Getty)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

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    “Three star lock cylinders are designed to offer anti-snap, anti-pick, anti-bump and anti-drill protection and can be bought for between \u00a320 and \u00a350 from all major hardware stores and a quick instructional video will show you how to do this for yourself in about five minutes. So there\u2019s no need to pay for an expensive locksmith\u201d.<\/p>\n

    For an extra layer of security, you can look for a lock with a cylinder guard that adds additional security against snapping.<\/p>\n

    Install a letterbox cage<\/h3>\n

    A favourite trick of thieves is to use a retractable rod to hook keys from hallway tables or key racks – not only can they gain access to your home in a few seconds, they can also have your car keys.<\/p>\n

    Anthony says: \u201cNever leave keys on display anywhere in your home. If a burglar gains access to your house through a window, they can take your keys and gain entry through a door. Get into the habit of putting keys in a safe place.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    \"Intruder<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/p>\n

    Brits should be cautious about making themselves ‘easy targets’ this Christmas (Image: Getty)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

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    Purchasing a letterbox cage with a fishing guard will cover the back of the letterbox, meaning a burglar can\u2019t see into the house or push a rod through the letterbox – it is important that your letterbox guard has a security standard of TS008.<\/p>\n

    Pet doors, such as cat flaps, shouldn\u2019t be forgotten as they are another entrypoint would-be burglars can use to hook valuables. However, a dog is a pretty nifty anti-burglar device in itself.<\/p>\n

    A solid letterbox cage with a fishing guard is inexpensive and can be purchased from around \u00a310 from all major hardware suppliers and takes a matter of minutes to fit.<\/p>\n

    Fit door chains<\/h3>\n

    Door chains or restrictors are basic, nevertheless effective, security measures you can add to a front door at a minimal cost. However, rear doors are often overlooked.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    \"Lock<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/p>\n

    A good door chain can help stop intruders barging in after you open the door (Image: Getty)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

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    Anthony says: \u201cBurglaries don\u2019t just happen at night with a break-in. There are many opportunist thieves who will target vulnerable and elderly people to gain access to a house.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThis October once the clocks changed and the evenings started setting in, we noticed a 51 percent increase in Google searches for distraction burglary. This is typically where someone knocks on the front door and an accomplice breaks in via the back. So we\u2019d recommend people fit door chains at any door that can be accessed from the outside and the cost is very little. You just have to remember to use them\u201d.<\/p>\n

    For more vulnerable people, a door chain also prevents anyone from pushing their way into your home when you answer the door.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    Door chains should be tested and approved to TS003 standards and well-fitted into a solid wall using specialist security screws. The chain is essentially only as good as the fixings it uses.<\/p>\n

    For older uPVC doors you can purchase restrictors that fix into a wall and loop around the door handle.<\/p>\n

    Good quality door chains are available from around \u00a35 from all major hardware retailers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[ad_2]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    [ad_1] ‘Tis the season for opportunistic burglars (Image: Getty) Christmas is a time for celebration, joy, and giving – however it could also be the prime time for opportunistic burglars. Home security experts from Everest have urged Brits to be extra cautious about making themselves an easy target for burglary this Christmas, as well as …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14995,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[763],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14993"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14993"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14993\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14995"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14993"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14993"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14993"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}