With Christmas lights lighting up streets across Australia, security expert Gina Field has issued a timely reminder that festive decorating can unintentionally attract criminal activity if homeowners are not careful. While encouraging families to enjoy the Christmas spirit, Gina explains that large displays can act as a source of information for burglars who assess homes for camera placement, access points, side gates, and general security weaknesses.
Gina highlights that December and January are the busiest months of the year for home break-ins, largely due to families travelling, homes being left unattended, and the visibility of Christmas presents through windows. She warns that leaving curtains open, positioning trees near windows, or running decorating cables through unlocked windows can all create easy access points for intruders.
Parcel theft is also a growing concern during the festive season, with millions of deliveries occurring across Australia each day. Gina explains that thieves often follow delivery vans and that alcohol deliveries are among the most commonly stolen items. She advises Australians to use parcel tracking, arrange neighbour collections, redirect deliveries to work, or use secure Australia Post lockers wherever possible.
Another serious risk is aggravated break-ins, where offenders enter homes while people are still inside, often targeting car keys to steal vehicles. Gina stresses that many incidents occur simply because doors and sliding doors are left unlocked. She encourages the use of secondary locks on sliding doors, padlocks on side gates and power boxes, and developing simple daily habits to prevent easy access.
Above all, Gina reminds Australians that security does not have to be expensive. A few practical steps — locking doors, managing visibility into the home, being cautious on social media, and planning for parcel safety — can significantly reduce the risk of having Christmas disrupted by crime.
