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Security While on Holiday

To enjoy your holiday away from home, it's important you take certain precautions to help keep your empty house safe and secure.

Uncollected mail, a loud forgotten radio, or the same light on all night and day are obvious clues that let burglars know no one is there, and can be an invitation for robbery.

Below are some suggestions for deterring thieves and may help you relax about the security of your home and possessions while you are not there:

• Organise a friend to check on your house periodically - they can collect mail that is piling up, put the bins out, open curtains or blinds, and switch lights off or on.
• Do not leave a spare key under the front mat or in another spot as most thieves have robbed houses before and will know all the places to look. Similarly, leaving the security alarm code hidden somewhere on the property will only help thieves enter the house.
• Locking and deadlocking all windows and doors is a must to prevent burglars taking any of your larger items.
• For the smaller valuables you may have like jewellery or other pieces, it's advised to place them in a safety deposit box, or leave them with family while you are away.
• Make sure the alarm system is set correctly and any timers on lights coincide with the usual periods you are at home. It's a good idea to lock the electricity box so alarms cannot be deactivated from the outside.
• If your home uses a security service advise the company of when you will be away and leave them contact details of any spare key holders to speak with in case of emergency.
• Home automation systems increase the security of your home as you can program lights, televisions, radios, and in some cases the blinds, to be on or off at certain times, and give the appearance of having people there.
• If you are away for more than a few weeks arrange for a gardener to mow the lawns and trim any hedges.
• Other precautions to take include; asking your neighbour to park their car in your driveway; leaving old clothes to dry on the washing line; and organising for the post office to hold your mail and any other large deliveries to the house.
   

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