It’s that time of year again – summer holidays! As the sun decides whether it wants to peek out from behind the clouds and give us Brits some long-awaited sun, many people hop on planes to warmer destinations. And the relaxing benefits of a holiday are going to be all the sweeter if, when you come home, everything is still as you left it.
Unoccupied homes are like a sweet shop for burglars, with 80% of burglaries happening while the occupants are out of their homes. So this year, take some steps to prevent burglary and make sure your holiday is as relaxing as possible. Warning – some of this may feel like we’re teaching you to suck eggs. But it’s always helpful to have a reminder, so give it a read.
Make It Look Like Someone’s Home
Empty houses are easy targets for burglars. So rule one is to make sure it doesn’t look like it’s empty while you’re away. Setting automatic timers for lights to go on in the evening and turn off when you would normally go to bed. You should close some of the curtains, but not all of them – that can make it look like you’re not there. Pause any regular deliveries you might have (like the milkman or a newspaper) so they aren’t building up on the doorstep, and if you have a car, leave it parked on the driveway to make it look like you’re still there.
Secure All Entry Points
Windows, doors, skylights. Anything that could be used to get into your home should be locked. If you have time before you go, make sure that all the locks in your home are approved by your home insurance provider. If they’re not, you might find they don’t pay out if you do suffer a break-in. Once you’ve locked everything, make sure you don’t leave the keys in the locks, or anywhere visible. Put them somewhere safe and out of sight. If you need to leave a spare key for someone, don’t leave it somewhere obvious like under a doormat or in a flowerpot. Invest in a key safe, or give them to the people personally,
Hide Your Valuables
This one goes without saying, but make sure you’re not leaving valuables on display where anyone peering through the window can see them. This isn’t just things like tablets, consoles and jewellery. It’s also things like keys and watches. And don’t go straight for the common hiding places – sock drawers and good cupboards. They’re the first place burglars will look, so try to be more inventive, or consider investing in a secure safe.
Invest In Home Security
There’s nothing quite like a bit of extra security. Installing extra security measures in your home, like an insurer-approved alarm or a smart doorbell with an inbuilt camera, can be a very good burglar deterrent. You can also install security lights with motion sensors for the front and back of your house, and near garage doors. Potential intruders are much more likely to be scared off if they’re suddenly lit up and in full view.
Don’t Broadcast
We know how tempting it is to post about your holiday online, or share some snaps on social media from the beach. But anything that shows people you’re away from your home can tempt thieves into your house. And if they’re good at researching, they can figure out how long they have until you come back and plan their break-in methodically. So hard as it may be, save sharing your favourite snaps until you get home.
Lock Tools Away
Most people don’t think of their garden sheds when it comes to security, but when you go away, you really should. Gardens are almost always full of tools, ladders and all sorts of other things that are left lying around, and they present an easy way to gain access to your home. So before you leave, make sure that all of your outside areas are clear. Put all tools and ladders away, secure any bikes or mowers and cover them with blankets, and then lock up your shed or garage. This hides your valuables from view, and makes it more difficult than its worth for burglars to access them.
If your locks aren’t up to par, or you would like some professional advice on how to secure your home over the holidays, we would love to help. Just get in touch with My Locks today, and speak to one of our experts.