Worried about home security while on holiday? Learn home security and personal safety tips before you leave.
It won’t surprise you to hear that 50% of all burglaries to the home take place when a house or flat is unoccupied. Make sure that your house doesn’t attract a thief whilst you’re away this summer by learning these home security tips and personal safety:
Home Holiday Security Advice / Check list
• Leave a set of keys with a neighbour or friend. No spare set? You can always call in at a locksmiths and get another set cut.
• Mow the lawn. A neglected lawn is an invitation to a burglar to check whether anybody is at home. • Cancel the newspaper and milk.
• Get someone to sort your post, especially if you have a glazed front door. You don’t want a potential burglar to spot that you have a week’s worth of post on the carpet. Potential intruders may even look through your letterbox for signs that you’re away. Consider using the Royal Mail’s “Keep-Safe” service, to delay the delivery of your post until you’re back. You’ll need to give them at least five days’ notice to make use of this service, though.
• Lock all possible doors and windows the night before you leave, and make sure that the shed is locked, too. The moments before you walk out of the house before you go on holiday can be quite a rush, so don’t leave security issues until the last minute. Remember that 30% of all burglaries take place through an unsecured window. If you haven’t already done so, make sure you fit window locks. They are a low-cost way to secure your home at any time, not just when you’re on holiday. Well-worth the investment, your local locksmith will be able to advise you of the best sort of locks for your particular needs.
• Write down all emergency numbers. Give this list to your friend or neighbour in case an emergency occurs while you are away.
• Do you have valuable documents or items of jewellery that you intend leaving in the house whilst you are away? Have a word with a locksmith about having a safe installed. They’re not just useful for holidays – they are invaluable, of course, for things like deeds, certificates and items of sentimental value.
• Don’t discuss your holiday plans in public places, where strangers might overhear the details of when you are away. You never know who might be listening.
• Before you leave, consider moving valuable equipment such as large TVs or music centres, so that they are not on view. If your TV is in a cabinet, close the cabinet doors before you go.
• For personal safety, buy a security timer. They are inexpensive, easy to use and will give an added sense of security to your home whilst you are away. They can be easily programed to come on at certain times of the day. You could set it so that lights, radios or other appliances come on at random times, giving the impression that somebody is home.
With all these home security tips and following carefully each home security advice, all you have to do now is to relax and enjoy yourself and never worry about home security while on holiday!
http://content.met.police.uk/Site/crimepreventionhomesecurity
