Festive Season Security Tips for Kenyan Homes and Businesses
December in Kenya is a time of travel, celebration and busy shops. Families head upcountry, offices close, retailers stock up and cash moves around more than at any other time of year. Criminals know this. Empty homes, busy malls, parties and end-of-year bonuses all create opportunities. These festive season security tips help households and businesses enjoy the holidays without returning to an unpleasant surprise.
The advice is practical and simple. Most of it is about planning early, telling the right people and closing the obvious gaps.
Why the festive season carries higher risk
| Factor | Why it increases risk |
|---|---|
| Many homes empty | Families travel upcountry or abroad |
| Offices and some businesses closed | Premises unattended for days |
| Retailers holding more stock and cash | More to steal |
| Busy public places | Pickpocketing, bag snatching and car break-ins |
| Parties and events | Gates open, many visitors, alcohol |
| Guards and workers on leave | Gaps in cover if relief isn’t planned |
| Online posts about travel | Tells people when homes are empty |
Festive season security tips for homes
Plan guarding early
Tell your security company your travel dates early, ideally by mid-November. December is busy for security providers, and relief guards are in high demand. Ask for extra supervision and night patrols while you are away. If you don’t normally have a guard, consider short-term cover. See hiring a home security guard in Nairobi.
Check your alarm and CCTV
Service your alarm, test the link to your response company and confirm your CCTV records and can be viewed on your phone. See home security while travelling.
Make the house look occupied
Use timers for lights, pause deliveries and ask a trusted neighbour or relative to check the property.
Keep travel plans private
Avoid posting that you are away until you return. Ask children and relatives to do the same.
Secure gifts and new purchases
Keep new electronics and gifts out of sight, and break down boxes before putting them out.
Planning your December security? Call us early to book extra cover
Talk to a Bestcare Security adviser now: call 0709 004 600. We answer 24/7 and the first site assessment is free.
Festive season security tips for businesses
Shops and supermarkets
- Increase guards on the shop floor and at exits during peak days
- Brief staff on shoplifting tactics and distraction thefts
- Bank cash frequently and avoid predictable banking times
- Check CCTV coverage of tills, stores and exits
See shoplifting prevention in Kenya and cash handling security for small businesses.
Offices closing for the holidays
- Confirm guard cover for the whole closure, including public holidays
- Set alarms and confirm response arrangements
- Remove cash, cheque books and portable valuables
- Lock away laptops and documents
- Give the security company a list of authorised keyholders and contacts
See our office security checklist.
Warehouses and industrial sites
- Keep 24-hour cover during shutdown periods
- Increase night patrols and supervision
- Check perimeter lighting and fences before closing
- Record stock levels before and after the break
Festive season security tips for parties and events
Weddings, family gatherings and end-of-year parties are common in December. For any event:
- Control the gate and keep a guest list
- Assign someone to confirm unexpected arrivals
- Keep gifts and valuables in a locked room
- Hire event guards for larger gatherings
See wedding security in Kenya and corporate party security.
Personal safety when out and about
- Keep bags zipped and phones out of sight in busy places
- Park in well-lit, guarded areas and note where you parked
- Be alert when withdrawing cash, and avoid counting it in public
- Travel with others at night where possible
- Agree meeting points with children in malls and crowded places
See personal safety tips for Nairobi.
Your festive season security timeline
| When | Action |
|---|---|
| Early to mid-November | Tell your security company your plans; book extra or short-term cover |
| Late November | Service alarms, CCTV and lights; check locks and grilles |
| Early December | Brief guards, domestic workers and trusted contacts |
| Before travel | Set timers, pause deliveries, secure valuables, set alarm |
| During the holidays | Check CCTV occasionally; keep phone reachable |
| On return | Check property, read the occurrence book, review alerts |
Worked example: a hardware shop in Kitengela
A hardware shop owner in Kitengela usually closed from Christmas Eve to 2 January. In previous years, one guard covered alone, with no relief. This year, the owner booked extra cover in November: 24-hour guards with relief over the closure, extra night supervision and an alarm linked to a response team. Cash was banked on the last trading day, stock was counted before closing, and the owner checked CCTV from home each evening. The shop reopened without incident, and the stock count matched.
Don’t forget your guard’s welfare
Guards working through the holidays are away from their own families. Treat them well, make sure they have shelter, water and working equipment, and thank them. A motivated guard is a more alert guard.
How Bestcare Security can help this festive season
We provide extra and short-term guards, increased supervision, alarm response and CCTV for homes and businesses across Nairobi during December. Because demand rises sharply, we recommend booking early. Learn more about our residential security services, corporate security services and event security services.
Festive season security tips for estates
Estates change character in December. Many residents travel, visitors arrive from upcountry, children are home from school and parties are common. Committees and residents can help by:
- Asking the security provider for extra night patrols and supervision over the holidays
- Reminding residents to inform the gate when they travel and when they return
- Keeping visitor confirmation strict, even for “relatives visiting for Christmas”
- Registering temporary domestic workers and visitors staying for several days
- Checking perimeter lighting and fences before the holidays begin
- Sharing a simple holiday security reminder with all households
Read gated estate security in Nairobi for more.
Common festive season scams to watch for
December brings more people knocking at gates and calling phones. Be alert to:
| Scam | How it works | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Fake delivery | Someone claims to have a gift or parcel for the family | Confirm with the sender before opening the gate |
| “Sent by your relative” | A stranger says a relative sent them to collect something | Call the relative directly on a number you already have |
| Fake utility worker | Someone claims to be from the power or water company | Ask for ID and call the company’s official line |
| Holiday “security” offers | Unknown people offer cheap guarding for the holidays | Use a licensed, vetted provider only |
| Phone and mobile money fraud | Calls or messages claiming urgent problems | Never share PINs or codes; call your bank directly |
Brief your guard and domestic workers on these scams, since they are often the first people approached.
After the holidays: January risks
Risk does not end on 1 January. Many families return to find that bills, school fees and shopping have stretched budgets, and criminals know that homes are full of new electronics and gifts. Keep your routines strict through January, read your guard’s occurrence book for the holiday period, and review any alarm or CCTV events. If anything was missed, fix it before the next long weekend.
A final festive season checklist
- [ ] Security company informed of dates and extra needs
- [ ] Relief and extra cover confirmed in writing
- [ ] Alarm serviced and linked to response
- [ ] CCTV working and viewable remotely
- [ ] Lights on timers and outdoor lights checked
- [ ] Deliveries paused or redirected
- [ ] Valuables and cash secured
- [ ] Guards and workers briefed on scams
- [ ] Trusted contact briefed
- [ ] Social media posts held until return
Festive season security tips for travelling by road
Many Kenyans drive long distances in December. Plan the journey, travel in daylight where possible, keep valuables out of sight in the car, avoid stopping in isolated places, and share your route and expected arrival time with someone at home. Let your security company know if the house will be empty, and keep your phone charged so the control room can reach you if an alarm triggers while you are on the road.
Frequently asked questions
When should I book extra security for December?
As early as possible, ideally by mid-November, since demand rises sharply in December.
What are the most important festive season security tips for homes?
Plan guarding early, check alarms and CCTV, make the house look occupied, keep travel plans private and brief trusted contacts.
Should businesses increase security in December?
Yes, especially shops, supermarkets and premises closing for the holidays.
Can I hire a guard just for the holidays?
Yes. Short-term guarding is common over the festive season.
How can shops reduce theft in December?
Add guards on busy days, brief staff, watch tills and exits, and bank cash frequently.
Is it safe to post holiday photos?
It’s safer to wait until you return home.
What should I check when I return from holiday?
Doors, windows, valuables, the occurrence book, alarm events and CCTV alerts.
Are estates at higher risk in December?
Often yes, because many residents travel and visitor numbers rise. Ask your estate’s security provider for extra patrols and stricter visitor checks.
How do I book festive season cover with Bestcare Security?
Call 0709 004 600 to discuss your dates and needs.
Related reading
- Home Security Checklist for Nairobi Homeowners: 40 Things to Check
- Perimeter Wall and Gate Security in Kenya: A Homeowner's Guide
- Electric Fence vs Razor Wire in Kenya: Which Is Better for Your Home?
Explore our residential security services or see all our security services in Kenya.
Planning your December security? Call us early to book extra cover
Speak to our team today for honest advice and a free, no-obligation site assessment anywhere in Nairobi.
