Member Article

Newcastle security company offers home safety tips for Christmas

A North East security firm is encouraging customers keep their homes – and their carefully chosen Christmas gifts – safe from intruders this festive season.

Stephen Wylde, managing director of NLS Security Ltd - formerly known as Newcastle Locksmiths and Safe Company - a family-run business situated on Newcastle’s West Road, has put together some top tips for local homeowners to bear in mind as we approach one of the most popular times of year for burglaries.

Stephen said: “As many people are now making headway with their Christmas shopping, it’s more important than ever to make sure that presents stored in homes are not easily available to thieves. We’d advise people to take note of these tips and visit us for any further advice about improving home security.”

Stephen’s top tips are as follows:

1. When you put up festive outdoor lights, avoid putting extension cables through partially open windows, as thieves look out for these security weaknesses. Instead, use solar or battery operated lights, or outdoor electrical outlets.
2. Keep valuables out of sight. If you put wrapped presents underneath your Christmas tree, then make sure that they can’t be seen from your windows. Keep curtains and blinds closed when you are out of the house, and during the night.
3. Check that your window and door locks are as secure as possible. If you’re in any doubt, then visit our shop on Newcastle’s West Road for a chat with our staff, or call us on 0191 2386000. We can also send out one of our locksmiths, accredited by the Master Locksmiths Association, to assess your locks and make any necessary improvements.
4. Invest in a home safe to protect important documents and gifts. We have a wide range of safes to choose from at our dedicated online shop, www.esafes.co.uk. Call us for advice about which of our safes best suits your circumstances.
5. Set your alarm whenever you leave the house, and buy motion sensor floodlights to further deter would-be thieves.
6. If you’re planning on spending your Christmas break away from home, then let your neighbours know, as they’ll be able to keep an eye on your property. Cancel any milk or newspaper deliveries, and set light timers to give the impression that someone is at home.
7. Though it may be tempting to share your holiday excitement with your followers on social media, don’t do it. You may be unwittingly letting burglars know that your house is going to be empty for a long period of time.
8. Use free registration websites such as www.immobilise.com to register valuable gifts including mobile phones, TVs and games consoles.
9. Make sure your shed and garage is secure, so that burglars cannot take ladders and tools to break into your property.
10. When everyone has opened their presents, break up the boxes and take the packaging to a recycling point, or put it outside just before a rubbish collection is due, rather than leaving it outside for long periods of time. Burglars will be on the lookout for expensive-looking packaging after Christmas to try and find out what new gifts may be worth stealing from your home.

NLS Security Ltd, which is accredited by the Master Locksmith Association, has traded in the North East for 34 years and provides a 24 hour call out service in Tyne and Wear. Further specialist services include supply of new and reconditioned safes, safe installation, safe removal, safe opening, auto locksmith services, car key cutting and car key programming.

The firm employs 14 members of staff, and the premises on the West Road include key cutting services, a large warehouse facility, free parking, a waiting area, a product showroom for locks, safes and security hardware, branded vans and a 10 tonne truck which transports safes across the country.

The company also runs two ecommerce sites, www.lockshopdirect.co.uk and www.esafes.co.uk which offer a wide range of security products with next day delivery.

For more information about NLS Security Ltd, visit www.nlssecurity.co.uk, like NLS Security Ltd on Facebook, and follow @nlssecurity on Twitter.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Uniquethinking PR team .