Three quarters of Australians worry about Christmas security

 + 73 per cent worry about leaving their home to go on holiday*
 + 60 per cent worry about the security of their windows and doors to avoid break ins*
 + Nearly half of all Australians surveyed said they worried about home invasions*

* McCrindle research Nov 2009

CHUBB tOP 10 cHRISTMAS SECURITY TIPS

1. Always secure and lock your doors and windows, even if you are just popping out or when you are in the back garden 

About one in four burglaries happen simply because the householder left windows or doors unlocked.

2. Don't store keys near the door particularly where they can be seen and never hang a spare key inside the letter box

Use a key safe if you need to leave a key outside.

3. Secure garages and sheds

They are often full of expensive tools that are not only costly to lose but ideal to use for breaking into the rest of the house.

4. Don't leave Christmas presents under the tree in full view of burglars who may be peering through windows

Keep them in a safe place until the big day.

5. Don't put your empty boxes from Christmas presents (or any new purchases) out until your recycling day 

Make sure you break up the boxes, the boxes and wrapping provide burglars with just the information they are looking for to see what new gadgets and items await them inside.

6. Code your goods with an engraver, or permanent or ultra-violet marker pen

Depending on the type of object being marked, this will make it harder for a thief to sell the items and easier for the Police to identfy the true owner if they are recovered.

7. Note down the serial numbers of all electrical goods

It is alao a good idea to photograph valuable items such as jewellery and pictures as this will help with identification if the items are recovered.

8. Install a simple timer on lights to make it look like someone is home

9. Cancel your newspapers for the period you are way

And arrange for someone to empty your letterbox regularly.

10. Tell your monitoring provider and neighbours if you are going away

Be sure to provide your monitoring provider with the dates that you will be away and ensure they have your contacts most up to date information.