As we move toward Christmas, it’s worth remembering that this is one of the busiest times of the year not just for families… but for opportunists as well. Homes are fuller, shops are crowded, money is flowing, and people are distracted. This is when good families get caught out not through fear, but through lack of preparation. Here are some simple, practical safety habits you can put in place now to protect your home, your shopping, and your family. 1. Don’t Advertise What’s Inside Your Home If you’ve got a big window facing the street with the tree in full view, avoid stacking all the wrapped gifts at the base. It might look festive, but to the wrong person it’s a catalogue of high-value items on display. Close curtains early, use blinds, or reposition the tree so it isn’t visible from outside. 2. Manage Your Packaging TV boxes, games consoles, tech packaging… Never leave them beside the bins for collection. Break them down, hide them inside general waste, or take them to a recycling centre. Big branded boxes tell people exactly what brand-new valuables are now inside your home. 3. Think About “Follow-Home” Opportunities Criminals don’t always strike in shops. Some follow people to their cars or even follow cars home. If you’ve bought high-value items: - Walk with purpose - Don’t appear overloaded - Keep checking your surroundings in a calm, natural way - If anything doesn’t feel right, go back into the shop or approach security Trust your instincts — early awareness prevents problems. 4. Shopping Bags That Give Too Much Away Designer bags, boutique bags, luxury retailer bags… All of them send a message. If you’re going Christmas shopping, especially in out-of-town centres or busy markets, take your own plain bags. A thief doesn’t know what’s inside a plain shopping bag. They absolutely know what’s inside a branded one. 5. Avoid “Car Boot Full of Gifts” Syndrome If you’re shopping in stages, move items home and then go back out. The back of your car jam-packed with presents is another obvious score for anyone watching car parks.