As you plan your summer getaway, it’s important to ensure your home is secure. Burglars often take advantage of the longer daylight hours and the signs that a house is empty.

Here’s some helpful Follow these tips to keep your property safe while you’re away.

Secure Your Doors

1. Lock All Doors: Ensure all external doors are locked before you leave home.
2. Upgrade Security: Consider a video doorbell, smart locks, a deadbolt, or a strike plate to enhance door security.
3. Letterbox Guard: Install a guard to prevent burglars from reaching through to unlock the door.

Lock the Windows

1. Check Window Latches: Standard latches might not be sufficient. Upgrade to key-locking levers if necessary.
2. Additional Measures: Use window security film, glass-break sensors, window bars, or plant prickly bushes under windows for extra security.

Light Up Your Garden

1. Outdoor Lighting: Install lights around your garden, pathways, garage, and other outbuildings to deter criminals.
2. Advanced Lighting: Consider motion-activated lights, solar-powered options, and timers for your outdoor lighting.

   

Secure Your Garage

1. Lock All Garage Doors: Ensure both interior and exterior garage doors are locked.
2. Secure Access Devices: Keep garage door openers inside the house and security codes secret.
3. Upgrade Garage Security: Use smart garage door openers, additional locks, and smart devices to ensure doors aren’t left open.

Home Security Systems

1. Install a Security System: Choose from a range of systems that fit your budget, from DIY kits to advanced alarm systems.

Don’t Ignore Your Outdoor Space

1. Lock Up Tight: Secure stools, ladders, gates, sheds, and other outdoor buildings.
2. Hide Valuables: Avoid leaving expensive items on display in your garden.

Add Security Cameras

1. Install Cameras: Use security cameras as part of a complete system or as standalone units. Opt for cameras with motion detectors, night vision, and two-way talk features that can be operated remotely.

Get a Safe

1. Store Valuables Securely: Use a safe to protect jewellery, cash, and vital documents. Choose a safe that is fire-resistant, waterproof, and heavy enough to deter theft.
2. Features to Look For: Consider safes with redundant locks and decide between portable or anchored models.

Social Media Savvy

1. Avoid sharing holiday updates:  Don’t post information about your trips on social media as this signals your home is unoccupied. Research shows that 1 in 5 people had been burgled after posting holiday details online and that 43% of burglars know their victims, so be wary who you share your pots with.

And finally….

• Prioritize Security Measures: Identify which strategies are most important and make a plan to implement the rest.
• Stay Informed and Prepared: Being aware of potential risks and taking early action is key to keeping your home and valuables safe.
• Turn up the volume: Leaving a radio or TV on low volume when you’re out creates the illusion someone is in the home. News channels or talk radio channels are suggested for a more natural sound.

Stay safe and enjoy your travels!

The Insurewise Team