One of the most important parts of any holiday is the fact that it allows you to escape from your normal life, and relax for a few weeks. The key to do this is to prepare for your holiday properly. Though there are a hundred things you will need to do to prepare for taking your holiday, ensuring the security of your property is one of the high priorities.
After you've got over the long trip, unpacked and settled in, often your thoughts will return to your home. So rather than spending your two precious holiday weeks worrying by following our simple advice you'll be able to relax and enjoy your break.
In order to keep your piece of mind when you go away, we recommend the following general steps to improve your home's security:
- Fit solid and quality deadlocks or key-operated security bolts to all external doors.
- Fit a good quality, approved alarm - look out for British Standard BS4737.
- Fit key-operated metal locks to all your accessible windows.
- Never leave keys in a lock, or a 'secret' hiding place like under the mat - burglars know where to look.
- Always lock up garden tools and ladders - they can be used to break into your home.
- Trim garden hedges so that doors and windows can be seen and no-one can hide.
- Make sure the area around your home is well lit.
- Always lock your shed or garage - especially if it has a connecting door to your house.
- Security-mark your valuables with your postcode, and photograph them if possible. As well as these simple pieces of advice, here are some other things you can do if you are leaving your house unattended:
- Cancel any services you have set up such as the milk and the papers and ask a trusted friend or neighbour to check on the property and remove any mail that has piled up - especially if you have a glass door.
- Use a timer to turn lights on and off when you are out.
- Ask a trusted friend or neighbour to water your plants - just having someone checking the house every couple of days will bring you peace of mind.
There's no price on the reassurance and peace of mind that everything is as it should be while you're away, so please be safe rather than sorry next time you go away, after all you wouldn't travel without insurance so why leave your home vulnerable?
