Burglars Planned to Target Your Home for Theft During Your Vacation
Protecting Your Home and Valuables During the Holiday Season
As the holiday season approaches, it's essential to take extra precautions to safeguard your home and valuables from burglaries. According to Victoria Police, there was an increase of almost 9% in burglaries and break-and-enter offences in Victorian residential locations in the year ending June 2024 [1].
Electronic devices like mobile phones and laptops, jewellery, and cash are common targets for burglars. In the same period, there were 9,612 electrical appliances, 9,297 instances of jewellery theft, and $14,341,672 reported cash and documents theft from Victorian homes [1][2].
To protect your home, consider the following strategies:
- Secure Entry Points: Ensure all doors and windows have strong locks, and consider deadbolts and security bars where appropriate.
- Use Security Systems: Install visible security cameras, alarm systems, and motion-activated lighting around your property to deter burglars.
- Manage Deliveries: Use package lockers, request deliveries to be held for in-store pickup, or have trusted neighbors receive packages.
- Limit Public Display of Gifts: Avoid leaving wrapped presents visible through windows or doors, as this can attract thieves.
- Maintain Home Activity: Use timers on lights and radios to simulate occupancy when you are away.
- Neighborhood Watch: Collaborate with neighbors to monitor suspicious activity, especially as homes tend to be unoccupied more frequently during holidays.
In addition, Victoria Police suggests taking the "How Safe Is My Place?" quiz for security tips tailored to your home [3]. To protect your car, keep it locked, remove valuables, and hide your car keys. Consider installing anti-theft devices such as car alarms and anti-theft number plate screws on your vehicle [4].
Remember, many cars are stolen from driveways, garages, or carports using the owner's set of keys, which are often easy to find in the home [4]. Regularly back up your data to an external hard drive or cloud storage device to prevent data loss in the event of a burglary [5].
Be wary of posting about your holiday on social media, as it can advertise that your home is vacant [6]. To prevent theft of online shopping orders, request a signature for delivery, use secure delivery options, or install security cameras [7].
While the holiday season often brings increased e-commerce fraud and shifts in consumer shopping behavior, it also underscores the overall heightened risk environment during this time [1][2][3][4]. Retailers prepare for the busiest shopping season, which translates to more deliveries and potential targets for theft [3][4].
In summary, prioritize physical home security measures, manage package deliveries carefully, and stay alert to increased threats both online and offline to protect your home and valuables during the holiday season.
References: [1] Victoria Police. (2024). Burglaries and break-and-enter offences in Victorian residential locations. Retrieved from https://www.police.vic.gov.au/ [2] Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2024). Consumer Price Index, Australia, June 2024. Retrieved from https://www.abs.gov.au/ [3] Victoria Police. (2024). How Safe Is My Place? Quiz. Retrieved from https://www.police.vic.gov.au/ [4] Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. (2024). Scamwatch: Holiday Season. Retrieved from https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/ [5] Victoria Police. (2024). Protecting Yourself from Cybercrime. Retrieved from https://www.police.vic.gov.au/ [6] Victoria Police. (2024). Social Media Safety. Retrieved from https://www.police.vic.gov.au/ [7] Australia Post. (2024). Secure Delivery Options. Retrieved from https://auspost.com.au/
- Maintaining a secure home during the holiday season is crucial for safeguarding your personal-finance by preventing theft of home-and-garden valuables, like electronics, jewelry, and cash.
- General-news reports have indicated a rise in burglaries and break-ins in Victorian residential locations, highlighting the importance of enhancing home security measures.
- Part of protecting your lifestyle includes being cautious of sharing holiday plans on social media, as it may unintentionally alert potential criminals to an empty home.
