As
we move out of the winter, more and more people are now thinking about their
holidays. From beach holidays in Spain through to spectacular safaris in
Africa, Brits will be heading to every corner of the earth this year – and
nearly all will have to think about keeping their home secure while they are
away.
Intruders are adept at identifying homes
that are temporarily vacant, and many holidaymakers return from their trip to
find their home ransacked – which is clearly a terrible way to end a holiday.
To prevent yourself from being one of these people, there are a few things that
you can do though, all of which will discourage or prevent burglars from
targeting your home.
Everybody
Needs Good Neighbours
It’s really important that you have someone
you trust – usually a friendly neighbour – come into your home regularly and do
things like open the curtains, pick up the post, and generally check that
everything is still okay. The simple fact that someone is going in and out of
the house will be enough to discourage many burglars, as they won’t want to
risk being disturbed mid-way through their nefarious deed.
If you are going to have a neighbour or
friend help you out, you are going to need to give them a set of keys. There’s
no need to leave yourself short of a set though, as you can simply get one cut
at Fast Keys, who provide a quick and
affordable service. It might also be an idea to leave these keys with your
neighbours after you arrive home, just in case of any future emergencies.
Keep it
Quiet
You’re excited about your holiday, and
that’s understandable. You want to tell everyone about how you’re going to swim
with dolphins, or see the Taj Mahal. But try to only tell the people you trust,
as you don’t know what ulterior motives some other people might have. By
telling everyone and anyone, you’re basically advertising the fact that your
home is going to be vacant, which is never a good idea.
Also, don’t post your plans all over social
media, unless you are sure that your settings are completely secure. Criminals
are using
sites like Facebook and Twitter more and more to find their next targets,
so be cautious.
Beef Up
Security
Beefing up the security of your home
doesn’t have to be an expensive process, as there are many things you can do
for a relatively low price. For example, basic CCTV systems are now more than
affordable for most people, and provide a real visual deterrent to would-be
burglars, as do fake alarm boxes on the side of a building.
If visual deterrents don’t stop the
burglars though, you should ensure that you have the very best
locks attached to your doors and windows, as well as anything else you feel
is useful, such as door chains and bolts. Burglars don’t want to work too hard
to get into your property, as the longer they try, the more likely they are to
get caught.
Hide the
Valuables
This is a really obvious point, but so many
of us still forget to tuck away any valuables before we leave on holiday. Even
more importantly, ensure that nothing of value – such as jewellery, consoles
and cash – is viewable from any windows, as these will be like a massive
dangling carrot for burglars, spurring them on to break in.
Even better than hiding valuables is
ensuring that they are not in the house in the first place. Remember that
neighbour we mentioned earlier? Surely they have room to store a few things for
you in their spare room, or under the stairs?
Check,
Check, and Check Again
Ever get that feeling that you’ve left the
back door unlocked, or that you forgot to close the bedroom window? Well, join
the club, as most people heading away on holiday have the same worries. By
repeatedly checking all potential entry points though, you’ll have peace of
mind as you head away – plus there will be no chance of a burglar getting into
your home easily.
The best way to check your home is to work
methodically, from room to room, physically checking all windows and doors, and
not simply relying on sight alone. If you are concerned that you’ve left
something open, a quick call to the neighbour should be enough to sort the
problem though.
So,
there you have it: five great ways to ensure that your home is as safe as
possible when you head off on holiday. Just a few simple steps and you’ll be
free to enjoy your week in the sun!