Helping you to keep your home safe whilst you're away on holiday.
Your holiday should be exactly that - a holiday from worry - so the last thing you want to be doing is thinking about the safety of your home while you're away.
The Facts
Although there was a 10% drop in burglary last year, holiday time is the period when your house is most at risk. Four out of five burglaries take place when the property is empty, so it's important to make sure your home looks 'lived in' whilst you are lazing on the beach.
Security Tips
Here are the best ways to protect your home whilst you're away:
Before you leave, check doors, windows, gates and outbuildings to make sure all the locks are in good working order
Don't leave valuables lying around. Put jewellery and other small items in a safety deposit or, if you have one, a safe
Make sure all your larger valuables, like TVs and computers, are marked with your postcode and house number with a security marker
Buy automatic timer plugs for lights and the TV to make the house look 'lived in' whilst you're away
Ask a friend, relative or a neighbour you trust to keep an eye on the house. Ask them to collect your post and newspapers, draw and open the curtains and generally make the place look lived in. You can do the same for them when they go away.
Invest in a burglar alarm and security lights, to deter potential burglars
Join your local Neighbourhood Watch. They can give you help and advice on home security
Get yourself a copy of the free Home Office booklet Your Practical Guide to Crime Prevention, which has over a hundred tips on preventing crime
Try getting a housesitter. This might seem like an old fashioned thing to do, but if you know someone who is trustworthy it really might be worth considering. This is a great option if you have dogs, or even cats, as your housesitting friend can double up when it come to dog-walking and pet feeding
Don't forget to cancel the milk and your papers - if you ordinarily get them!
Your Practical Guide to Crime Prevention is also available to download (2MB) here.
PSP Ltd is not respoinsible for the contents of external websites.
More information available in Holidays, Travel Information, Home Security, Advice