By Sarah Klein
Nobody likes a Grinch, especially around Christmas.
CAA Manitoba is reminding the public to protect their precious possessions during this time of year from prying eyes.
“During the holiday season, there are more break-ins, stolen cars and other theft related insurance claims because families are away from their homes — which happen to be full of new possessions,” said Liz Peters of CAA Manitoba.
According to CAA insurance claims, the ten most stolen items are: laptops and computers, jewellery, digital cameras, home theatre equipment, iPods, CDs, DVDs, cash, gift certificates, and video games. The average theft claim over the holidays is around $3,000.
To help prevent yourself from making your own insurance claim, CAA suggests to store gifts out of sight, don’t leave packaging from expensive gifts in the recycling or garage after the holidays, make your home look occupied (turn on lights, TV/radio, etc.), never leave a house key accessible in a “secret” spot and consider installing an alarm or other deterrent around your home, such as motion-sensor lights.
If you’re going away from the holidays, CAA says to stop delivery of your mail and newspaper, or have them collected daily to make it appear someone is home. It also couldn’t hurt to ask a friend or neighbour to park in your driveway occasionally, especially if it snows, which gives the effect someone is coming and going from the tire tracks.
