Its almost summer and its everyone’s favorite time of year to be heading off somewhere nice to enjoy the sun, sand and sea! Unfortunately, it is also the time of year burglars take advantage of holiday makers and are out looking for vacant homes. Below we have put together 5 top tips to help you protect your home and avoid becoming a victim of a burglary while you are on holiday.
Make it Look Like Someone is Home
Most Burglars are opportunists, so an empty home is an easy target. So the best way to avoid becoming a target is to make it look like someone is home whilst you are away. There are a number of things you can do to achieve this.
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Put lights, TV’s and radios on timers so that they come on during the day and in the evening so that it looks like someone is in.
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Cancel any milk delivery’s and post as a pile up of letters on the floor and milk bottles sat outside are tell-tale signs that nobody is home.
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Its obvious that no one is home if your curtains are open all day and night so shut some of your curtains to make it look like someone is in the house.
Tell a Trusted Neighbour You Are Going on Holiday
You can ask a trusted neighbour or family member to visit your property whist you are away they can open and close curtains, turn lights on or off, collect mail and even park their car on your drive to make it look like someone is home. If you don’t want any mail to go to your home whilst you are on holiday, then the Royal Mail offer a keep safe service in which they will hold your mail for up to 66 days.
Don’t Advertise You’re Going to Be Away
It seems natural these days that when something exciting is happening you turn to social media to share the news, however posting details that you will be on holiday for however long on Facebook, twitter etc can be quite dangerous. A lot of burglars use social media to find their targets as they can find out whether you are home or not! Do when you’re about to jet off keep it off social media until you get home!
Make Sure Doors and Windows Are Locked
This may seem like an obvious one, but most burglars gain entry to a property through an open window or door. Make sure any keys or valuables are out of sight. If a burglar has gained entry to your property using a hidden key or through an unlocked door or window, then your home insurance could be invalid so its important to double check all windows and doors both upstairs and downstairs are secure and locked.
Label Luggage Carefully
This may seem strange however if you label your luggage with your home address then it is advertising you are not home and an opportunist burglar at the airport could contact another burglar with your details. Also, if you go to the airport in a taxi don’t tell the driver of your holiday plans unless you know and trust them.
If you need any home security advice or improvements for your home, then contact Lock It Security today on – 02380 453 539
