Icy the porch, greased doorknobs, tripwires around the house… sound familiar? While some people may recognise these burglar deterrents from the 90’s Home Alone films, many Brits are actually using these techniques when they leave their house for Christmas.
A recent study by home insurer MORE TH<N revealed that more than half (53%) of people in the UK consider using these ‘home alone’ style booby traps to keep their house safe.
The research showed that instead of opting to have an alarm system installed 33% of Brits have used one or more of the following DIY security features to protect their home:
– Leaving a radio on at full volume behind the front door – particularly spoken-word stations, such as BBC Radio 4, which give the illusion of a conversation occurring in the home.
– Icing their driveways, steps and patios
– Positioning cardboard cut outs or dummies behind netted windows
– Scattering sharp objects on the floor next to the front door and windows
– Setting up trip wires and ropes around the house
– Propping up front/back doors with household objects – such as chairs, pans and brooms
– Greasing doorknobs
While these techniques might work on film, in reality they are more likely to attract unwanted attention, convince a would-be burglar there’s nobody at home, and ultimately result in a break-in. Nevertheless, a third of those surveyed remain firm in their belief that a creative approach to deterring intruders is far more effective and cheaper at making a house impenetrable than traditional anti-burglary methods.
Worryingly, despite being prepared to go to great theatrical lengths to deter criminals, two thirds of Brits will still erect a Christmas tree in an area of their house that is clearly visible from the outside – turning the traditional symbol of festivity into a twinkling beacon for burglars.
Commenting on the research, Matt Pernet from MORE TH>N Home Insurance said, “Our homes are one of our most treasured possessions, and given the number of burglaries at Christmas, it’s understandable that Brits would look at more elaborate methods of protecting their homes from intruders.
“However, home security isn’t about employing tricks and gimmicks that belong in fiction. If you want to minimise the likelihood of a break-in while you’re away over the festive season then stick to the basics: strong locks, removing any obvious signs that nobody is home and, of course, installing a highly visible, functional burglar alarm. It might seem costly at first, but in the long run it will be priceless.”
