Keep your home safe this Christmas

'Tis the season to be jolly... So make sure your home is safe and secure over the festive season by following these top tips. 

Security measures

Christmas is one of the busiest times of year for burglars, with home insurance claims rising in January following December thefts.
With the evenings drawing in early, the longer nights are an ideal time for opportunistic burglars to strike.
So making sure your home is extra secure should be on your priority list.
Ensure the exterior of your home is well-lit. Making sure windows and doors are secure is essential all year round, not just during the festive season.
See our guide to the different lock types to see if you have the right level of security.
Gareth Lane, head of home insurance at Confused.com, says:
"We’d encourage homeowners to consider upgrading their home security as a way of safeguarding their possessions this Christmas.
It can also reduce home insurance costs, as installing properly-fitted alarms and locks can lower home insurance premiums."

Is your home alone this Christmas?

December is a busy time. You’re out and about at Christmas parties and events, not forgetting all that shopping that needs doing.
If your home is left empty during the festive season, it could be an easy target for burglars.
Watch this video for top tips for keeping your home safe this Christmas.

Out of sight, out of mind

If you've bought lavish presents ready for Christmas, then the best way to keep them safe is to keep them out of sight.
If a passer-by can see presents under your Christmas tree, then this could suggest that you have items worth stealing.
The safest option is to keep them hidden away until closer to Christmas.
Also, be sure to properly dispose of any packaging for new items in the house.
You don’t want to advertise your valuables to any potential thieves. So break it down and bag it up, don’t just leave it for collection.

Avoid a Christmas inferno

Christmas usually means fairy lights, and lots of them. Check your Christmas lights carry the British Safety Standard sign. 
And make sure to turn them off when you’re out of the house, and when you go to bed.

Try not to overload plug points with too many lights or electricals, as this can be a fire risk.
And remember, Christmas trees and decorations can catch fire easily.
So make sure to keep them away from open fireplaces, candles or heaters to avoid any mishaps.

Make sure you’re covered

December is always a good time of year to check that you’re fully covered by your home insurance policy.
Find out what level of cover your policy offers when it comes to things like snow damage and theft.
If you're going away and leaving your home empty for a long period of time, it’s best to speak to your insurer to make sure you're covered.
Make yourself familiar with any exclusions to your policy.
For example, your policy could be void if accidental damage is caused to your home under the influence of alcohol.
So be careful if you get too merry this Christmas.

You'll want to check that your contents cover is high enough to cover the value of any new expensive gifts.
Some home insurance companies offer extra seasonal cover for your contents, at no extra cost.
So check if you can temporarily increase your level of cover over the Christmas period.
Once the festive season is over, it’s important to update your insurer on any valuable gifts you’ve received that you want covered by your policy.

Source By: http://www.confused.com/home-insurance/articles/top-tips-for-a-safe-and-secure-christmas-at-home

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How to Accessorize a Room

Tip 1:  Group Collections Together

Group items in order to maximize the overall impact.  You can accomplish this by painting or wallpapering the back of a bookcase to allow the displayed accessories to really pop against the texture you’ve added to the back.

Try hanging a small piece of art on a bookcase or place unique and artistic pieces on top of aged books.

Layer a smaller patterned rug over a larger area rug to add dimension and patter to the floor.  You will be amazed at the final room transformation.

Tip 2:  Adding Coffee Table Trays

For a fun and stunning dimensional touch, add trays to your coffee table.  The beauty of trays is that they are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and material.  From mirrored, glass or wooden to round, square or rectangular, accessorizing coffee table trays add the perfect finishing touch.  Try placing a potted plant, candles and/or small aged books in a compact grouping, stand back and enjoy the results.  I also use a lot of fresh-cut flowers that I cut back to fit tightly into a glass jar.

Don’t be afraid to add your personality to the grouping, you’ll love the final result.

Tip 3:  Use Varying Height With Your Accessories
Use different heights to add interest and personality to your home staging.  I use aged books that I find at antique stores or old book shops as they are an inexpensive way to add great character and charm to any grouping.


To effectively add height in your entryway, add an oversized urn with florals to a low table.  You may also want to experiment with tall lamps or tiered glass vases.  You will be amazed at how adding some height fills the empty space above the table and adds a perfect first impression when guests arrive.



Tip 4:  Accessorize In The Kitchen
I try and keep the decor accents in my kitchen clean and simple.  This is definitely where less is more should be followed.  As mentioned in tip 2, place a small tray on the counter, place a taller glass vase filled with lemons, limes, oranges, a small topiary design and perhaps a glass bowl of mints or nuts.  The grouping adds color, charm and a snack that guests will enjoy.

Tip 5:  Accessorizing For The Bedroom
The rule of thumb in the bedroom is to keep things simple and elegant.  Once again, the less is more rule applies here.  A mirror always looks amazing above a bed and adds a reflective touch. Bedrooms should feel calm and serene when you are done accessorizing.  Fresh cut flowers or greenery in a low compact design, bedside tables that are size appropriate, elegant picture frames and candles are perfect accents and will achieve the desired result.

Source By: http://www.adornwithstyle.com/category/blog/tuesdaystips/

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