Going on holiday but worried about the security of your home whilst you’re away? Here are a few tips, on what to do before you go to help ensure your relaxation and peace of mind:-
1. Don't broadcast your holiday arrangements too widely or too loudly.
2. Cancel milk, newspaper and other home deliveries, but be discreet when doing so.
Inform your provider by letter or phone. Don't give out your name, address and holiday
dates in the newsagents where anyone can overhear.
3. Make sure your house looks lived in while you are away.
4. Cut your lawn before you go and trim back any plants that burglars could hide behind.
5. Use automatic timer-switches to turn on your lights as darkness falls.
6. Get friends or neighbours to look after your home; to take in wheelie bins, mail and
free papers, to mow lawns, draw curtains and switch on lights after dark.
7. Don't leave valuable items where people can see them through a window.
8. If you leave keys with a neighbour, don't label the keys with your address.
9.
If you leave your car in the garage, lock both the car and the garage.
10. Hide car keys - never leave them on show in the hall or kitchen - and keep them
away from letterboxes. (This should be standard practice, not just when away on holiday.)
11. Lock your tools and ladders
safely away so that they can't be used to break into your home.
12. Give your contact details to a friend or relative.
13. If you set a burglar alarm, ensure that a trusted friend or relative has the key and
code and tell the Police or your Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator, who holds the key and code.
14. Don't leave your curtains closed in the daytime as this shows the house is empty.
15. Finally don't' forget to lock all external doors and windows.
Page last updated/reviewed 1st February 2010 |
