How to keep the ‘ho ho ho’ in your holidays

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and we’d like to keep it that way. So before you put on the ‘out of office’ notification and head for the great outdoors – or just your own backyard - make sure you take a few basic precautions to get through the holiday season unscathed.

Wynand van Vuuren, partner of client experience at insurer King Price, shares his top tips for staying safe this holiday season.

If you’re hitting the road:

Get your wheels road-trip ready. You know the drill: service, tyres, fluids, brakes, headlights. You don’t want to be waiting for a breakdown truck on the side of the highway while your friends and family are chilling. And if you’re towing a trailer or caravan, check that too.

Keep the home fires burning. If you don’t have a house-sitter, tell your security company you’ll be gone. Turn off your geyser and all appliances that could get zapped by power surges. Consider installing a timer to turn on some lights to make it look like someone’s home.

Make sure your insurance is on point. You don’t want to be caught without cover when you need it the most. Check that your car, buildings and home contents insurance is up to date. And just for good measure, check whether your policy offers roadside assistance, in case anything happens along the way.

Be careful with the social media game. We know your friends and family are dying to see a picture of your feet on the beach or next to the swimming pool. But be very careful who can see your pictures, or you may as well put a banner outside your house that says: WE’RE NOT HERE!

If you’ll be home for Christmas:

Be smart out there. Don’t do things you wouldn’t do for the rest of the year, like keeping your wallet in your back pocket, leaving your Christmas shopping on the back seat, or leaving the boxes for big-ticket items like a new TV on the pavement. Focus.

Step up your security. December is peak housebreaking time. If you leave your house, even just for a few minutes, make sure that your doors and windows are secured, and your alarm is armed. Keep the electric fence on and the gates locked when you’re entertaining, and don’t let your guests park on the pavement.

Insure your valuable pressies before they’re opened. If you buy new, high-value items on Black Friday sales, or for Christmas, make that sure you specify them on your cover. They’re not necessarily automatically covered under your home contents or portable possessions insurance. 

Do something for others. Holidays aren’t just about spending time with family and loved ones. They’re about doing something for those who have less than us. Help out at a feeding scheme. Pack a shoebox for needy kids. It’s about #MakingADifference, which means giving, not receiving.