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The festive season is meant to be a time of rest, celebration and connection. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most active periods for residential crime in the country. For instance, break-ins increase during the holidays and in the weeks that follow, when routines are disrupted, and homes are left unattended.

In most cases, criminals often rely on predictability when everyone is busy and distracted. They watch neighbourhoods closely, taking advantage of empty houses, relaxed security habits and delayed response times. Read on to discover how to reduce the risk of break-ins during and after the festive season.

Why Break-Ins Increase Over the Festive Season

The weeks leading up to and following this season create ideal conditions for opportunistic crime. Many families travel, leaving homes empty for extended periods, or return late from social gatherings, while everyday security routines are relaxed. This is when criminals know most people are less alert.

Other key contributing factors for increased house break-ins include:

• Reduced neighbourhood vigilance.
• Disrupted routines and irregular schedules.
• Increased spending and visible valuables.
• Delayed emergency response times due to holiday staffing.

Strengthening Home Security Before You Travel

One of the most common mistakes you can make during and after the festive season is leaving your home without sufficient security measures in place. Whether you’re taking a short trip or staying overnight, you can create opportunities for break-ins if you overlook basic safety steps. These are some seemingly small actions to consider which might significantly reduce the likelihood of forced entry:

• Lock all doors and windows, including the garage and side entrances.
• Activate alarm systems and ensure they are fully functional before you leave the house.
• Secure sliding doors and windows with additional locking mechanisms.
• Replace any malfunctioning burglar guards.
• Unplug non-essential electrical appliances to reduce the risk of fire.
• Avoid leaving spare keys in predictable places or with untrusted people.

Make Your Home Look Occupied

Homes that appear empty are far more likely to be targeted. Criminals often scout properties days in advance, looking for signs of unoccupied ones. You can make your home look occupied by:

• Using timers for lights, televisions or other electrical appliances.
• Asking a trusted neighbour to walk around the yard from time to time.
• Having someone park in your driveway occasionally.
• Avoiding visible signs of travel, such as posting your real-time activities on social media.

Being Cautious About What You Share

Social media activity increases significantly during the festive season, but oversharing can unintentionally advertise if you have left an empty home. Nowadays, criminals increasingly monitor social media platforms, making your digital awareness an important part of improving your home security. These are simple tips to consider:

• Avoid posting about your travel plans or locations in real time.
• Wait until you return home to share holiday photos.
• Ensure privacy settings limit who can see your posts.
• Be mindful of what children share online.

Post-Festive Season Risks

The anticipated surge in break-in risks does not end when the festive season does. The first few weeks after this period can often see another increase in incidents as routines remain disrupted and financial pressure increases. This is when maintaining heightened awareness in the weeks after the busy season can help prevent incidents.

What To Do If You Suspect a Break-In

Coming home to signs of a possible break-in can be frightening, and how you respond in those first moments matters. This is the time when rapid emergency response is important for your safety. Using your FREE-to-use iER App discreetly allows you to request appropriate help, ensuring responders are dispatched to your location without delay.

If you suspect someone has entered your home:

• Do not enter if something feels wrong.
• Move to a safe location nearby.
• Avoid confronting intruders.
• Send a silent alert or use the panic button widget from your FREE-to-use iER App for immediate assistance.

Responding to a Break-In in Progress

If you are at home and become a break-in victim, your safety must always come first. You shouldn’t attempt to intervene or confront intruders, as this significantly increases risk, leading to life-threatening outcomes. Your FREE-to-use iER App lets you send an emergency alert quickly, even if you can’t speak, helping responders locate you and act fast when your location-sharing settings are enabled.

Key safety steps to consider in these scenarios include:

• Staying calm and avoiding drawing attention.
• Moving to a secure area.
• Avoiding sudden movements or noise.

How iER Helps Reduce Risk and Improve Response

While preventing incidents reduces risk, no system can guarantee it. When a break-in occurs, a fast, coordinated response is the most effective measure to limit harm and improve outcomes. In high-stress situations, the ability to request help quickly and quietly with a panic button widget or silent alert feature can be lifesaving.

Your FREE-to-use iER App supports safety by:

• Providing immediate access to emergency assistance.
• Coordinating medical and non-medical responders.
• Sharing accurate location data with responders.
• Reducing delays caused by panic or miscommunication.

Security is not something to consider only seasonally, because long-term safety depends on consistent habits and reliable response options. Ongoing safety preparation includes regularly reviewing your home security measures, staying informed about local crime trends, and having 24/7 access to your FREE-to-use iER App. Being prepared can ensure you have a safety plan to bring you greater peace of mind.