Securing Your Home While You Are Away
It’s that time of year that homes are left empty more often, be it long weekends or a longer stretch of a fortnight or more for a holiday. There are obvious signs of an empty house, and burglars are hot on what to look out for, so let’s get ahead of the game….
Lights
Leaving the light on in one or more rooms of your house is a great way to make it seem as though there is someone at home. Better yet, invest in smart light bulbs that can be controlled remotely or scheduled to turn on at certain times of the day. Using smart home technology will allow you to fool potential burglars by continuing to turn lights off and on at your normal schedule even while you’re away.
Keep Your Neighbours Informed
Maybe ask a neighbour if they can park their car on your drive while you’re away, and pull bins in etc. The obvious things that make it look as though the house is still being lived in.
Your neighbours will also be able to hear out for any strange noises and movements coming from your house while you’re away and alert the police in your absence.
If you’ll be away from home for more than a few days, your doorstep or post box could very well make it obvious to potential burglars that you’re not home and haven’t been for a few days already. Have someone (usually the neighbour as they’re the closest) check for the post every other day or so. It’s also worthwhile double-checking that you don’t have any packages that will be delivered while you’re gone, too.
House sitter
Do you have a friend with teenage kids looking for a place of their own?! Okay, maybe not the wisest suggestion, but if you have a friend or family member that you can trust to come over to stay at your house while you are away, you can be sure that someone is keeping an eye on your house. The presence of someone in the house will deter burglars.
It can also be helpful to have someone house sit if you have pets too and are not keen on putting them in kennels.
Video doorbell camera
Doorbell cameras are a must-have element of a smart home security system and are very effective at providing you with up-to-date surveillance of your home. You can gain access to your security camera’s live footage at any time, from anywhere!
A smart home doorbell system will alert you to suspicious activity in your front garden and around the front door meaning you’ll always know what’s going on at home, no matter where you are.
Social media
Do not advertise the fact you’re not at home for a fortnight! We suggest that if you really want to share pictures from your time away, that you do it when you get back from your holiday.
Home insurance
Okay, this doesn’t deter burglars, but should the worst happen, you’d like to know that you can claim for any theft or damage.
Other things you should do which are obvious but in the rush of packing for a holiday, you can use this for your to do list – lock windows and all doors, keep curtains pulled to, move the spare key from under the plant pot and check the batteries in all your home security devices.
No matter how long you’ll be away from home, though, make sure to take all these precautions to make it less obvious you’re away.