Most quality home contents insurances covering the main occupied residence automatically include an extension increasing the sum insured by 10% during the whole month of December. Details can be found in the policy wording along with the other terms and conditions. The increase is welcome news for households, as the average spend is £378 on gifts for immediate family members, according a survey carried out before Christmas 2011.

Christmas is a time for giving, but regretfully it is also a time for taking with a seasonal rise in burglaries in December. A combination of darker nights, homes left empty more often and of course more to steal. Therefore December is also a month when we have to be vigilant and suggest taking the following steps:

★ Don’t feed extension cables through partly open windows. Use solar or battery powered Christmas lights or use an outdoor electric outlet.

★ Protect your identity by shredding unwanted receipts or documents containing personal details.

★ Don’t hide keys under flower pots or shoes in the front porch. Leave spare keys with relatives or trusted neighbours.

★ Keep garages, sheds and outbuildings secure as burglars know that presents are often stored outside of the home.