How to Protect your Home whilst on Holiday
Whether you’re taking a short break in the city or a two-week vacation in the Maldives, you’ll want to ensure your home is safe and sound for your return.
It’s a fact that homes without security are five times more likely to be burgled than those with security measures in place.
Taking a number of basic precautions will mitigate the risk of burglary in your absence and allow you to take the well earned rest you deserve, safe in the knowledge that your home is protected.
As experts with a wealth of knowledge in the security industry, we’ve come up with a few top tips that extend beyond just locking doors and windows. Read on to learn how you can burgle-proof your home.
Check your household insurance.
Firstly, make sure you have the cover you need that will remain valid whilst you’re away. Do you need to notify the insurer of your absence?
Don’t leave your house looking unoccupied.
Ensure the lawn is mowed, the washing has been brought in, the curtains are open and deliveries have been cancelled. Nothing says ‘I’m an empty house’ more than a pile of letters, newspapers and milk building up on the doormat.
The Royal Mail’s Keepsafe service will hold your mail for up to two months. If you’re only going away for a fortnight, Keepsafe will hold your mail for up to 17 days for £13.50.
Switch on timers.
It’s a good idea to install a light timer which will come on in the evening. Timing controls for lights can be set to turn on and off at specific times of the day. If you want to go a step further, you could also ensure your television is on a timer to create the typical noise and flickering lights of a typical home at night.
Keep all valuables safe.
Keep valuables out of sight – ensure they cannot be seen through a window!
If somebody was to get into your home, despite all your best efforts, the last thing you want to do is make it easy for them to find your valuables. Find a place to store valuable items where they won’t be found or even better, drop them off at another location while you’re gone.
Don’t tell people you’re on holiday.
Especially not on social media! Many of us like to brag about where we’re jetting off to or post pictures of ourselves on the beach but all this is doing is publicising the fact that your home is empty.
Consider giving a trusted neighbour a spare key.
Arrange for somebody to keep an eye on your property. This could be a neighbour, a friend or relative. However, if you already use a professional security company, such as Equilibrium Risk, you will already be safe in the knowledge that your home is protected.
Make sure electrical appliances have been turned off at the socket.
Make sure that appliances have been turned off at the socket. Not only will this reduce the risk of fires, it will also save money on utility bills.
Do a final check.
It does sound fairly obvious but make sure you do a final sweep of the property to ensure all doors and windows are locked properly. If you were to leave a door unsecured and were burgled, you may find your home insurance provider is unwilling to pay out.
Taking the steps above will help to avoid a disaster in your absence and ensure you are able to remember the trip of a lifetime without the stress of a break-in. If you need assistance securing your home or business, get in touch.