Snow, festive cheer and good will towards men are all things we Brits associate with Christmas.
Certainly, images of theft, accidents and fire don't automatically spring to mind.
However, to ensure that homes are safe over the festive period, perhaps we should be thinking about the latter.
Some 13 million homes will be left empty this Christmas, as people travel across the country to visit loved ones, making it the ideal time for burglars to strike.
Last year,, insurers dealt with 10,000 burglary claims over the festive period, according to figures from the Association of British Insurers.
Nevertheless, 15.5 million homes in the UK don't have a
burglar alarm.
If you are planning taking a trip over the holidays, making sure that simple safety measures are in place could protect homes from theft.
Matt Pernet, spokesman for MORE TH>N Home Insurance, advised: "If you want to minimise the likelihood of a break-in while you're away over the festive season then stick to the basics: strong locks, removing any obvious signs that nobody is home and, of course, installing a highly visible, functional burglar alarm."
However, it would seem that over half of Brits are not following Mr Pernet's advice, as 53 per cent admit to considering building their own booby-traps - Home Alone style.
Some seven per cent have even thought about placing card board cut outs near the
window to fool prospective thieves.
In addition to protecting against burglaries, homeowners also have to contend with fire and accident risks over Christmas.
Festive candles, decorations and cooking accidents can all potentially result in house fires if not carefully monitored.
More than half of home fires are caused by
kitchen mishaps, while candles start an average of five household fires a day, the Association of British Insurers warns.
However, many homes still do not have a smoke alarm.
Smoke alarms are absent in approximately 37 per cent of fires but are vital to save lives.
Make sure your system has batteries and has been fully tested before beginning this year's Christmas merriment.
Moreover, ensure that all dangerous household items, such as knives and chemicals, are properly secured.
