Fact: Tips to stop the thief
Have certified locks on doors, patio doors and windows.
Tell neighbors who are home that you will be leaving so they can keep an eye on the house or apartment.
Do not clean too much. Make it look like you’re at home.
Put timers on some lights in the house that turn on when darkness falls.
Lock valuables and identification documents in safes.
Put a lock on the mailbox and get a digital mailbox.
Install a lock cover or security mailbox on the inside of the apartment door.
Source: SSF Theft Protection Association
There were 5,920 reported burglaries in homes and holiday homes throughout the country during December and January around the turn of last year, according to statistics from the Crime Prevention Council. On average, this means 95 burglaries per day. Most burglaries take place in the big cities – and the risk increases during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
SSF warns that the thief takes the chance in connection with people traveling to celebrate the weekend with family and friends. The darkness of the season also makes it easier for the thief to act unseen with less risk of being discovered.
Everyone who is going to travel away should therefore think about it, urges SSF.
“I recommend lights on timers and getting a safe for the home to really minimize the risk of getting rid of your valuables in the event of a burglary, but also to avoid being worried,” says Lina Nilsson, counseling expert at SSF, in a press release.
Some other tips are to make sure to have certified locks on doors, patio doors and windows and to notify the neighbors, not to clean up too much and to organize neighborhood cooperation.