Don't let thieves ruin your Christmas

The festive period is predominantly centred on good food, family and merriment. However, break-ins and burglaries can be especially common this time of the year and if one were to happen to either your home or business, it would certainly snap you out of the holiday spirit and bring you back to Earth with an inconvenient bump.

According to statistics from the Australian Institute of Criminology, there were over 218,000 burglaries reported across the country in 2011/2012. If you don't want to become part of those figures, here are some tips you can follow to keep your home or business as safe as possible this Christmas.

Think like a burglar

Thinking like a burglar can help you get a better perspective of how your home or business would look to any nefarious external surveyors.

If your valuables and wrapped up presents are visible from your front windows, or your Christmas tree makes it especially obvious as to where you'll be keeping all of your gifts, moving them to a more discreet location is your best option.

The old adage goes that if your belongings are 'out of sight, out of mind,' and that couldn't be more relevant than at Christmas.

Do the basics

The old deterrents can be the best, leaving a light on, double checking that your doors and windows are locked or simply letting a neighbour know that you'll be away for an extended period can all be effective and simple ways to avoid being burgled.

Update your insurance

Whether it's your family dwelling or your livelihood, ensuring that both your home and business insurance policies are up to date over the festive period can prove to be crucial. This is particularly relevant if you haven't updated your details in some time.

Making sure those new gifts at home are properly accounted for, or that any new stock is covered at work can be key if you are unfortunate enough to have to make a claim over the Christmas period.