The countdown to the summer getaway has started for some families and with less than six weeks until school's out for summer, fun in the sun will be on many people's minds.
If the warm weather has put you in the mood for a holiday, flights, accommodation, passports and travel insurance will probably be top of your to-do lists, but don't forget the steps you need to take to keep your home safe and secure while you are away enjoying yourself.
Security experts ADT reckon that two thirds of holidaymakers don't bother making any special arrangements to secure their home while they are away, sending out an open invitation to burglars that the house is empty. Michele Bennett of ADT Subscriber has come up with nine tips to make sure your home is holiday-ready.
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1. Don’t leave empty milk bottles with a note
If you regularly receive a milk delivery, pause your order before departing for your holiday. Contact your milk delivery service directly, rather than leaving empty milk bottles with a note attached.
2. Postpone your mail
The accumulation of post in your letterbox is clear evidence of inactivity in your home. To prevent this, request the postponement of your mail service online for the time you are away. Once you’ve returned, all your held post will be delivered to you, so you won't miss any important mail.
3. Pause or reschedule deliveries
Expecting packages while you’re away? Delivery drivers may leave your parcels in what they consider a ‘safe place’, assuming you’ll be home shortly to pick it up. However, a pile of parcels is a clear indication to burglars that you’re on holiday. Remember ask a neighbour to collect any parcels for you or re-schedule any deliveries if you can.
4. Secure your windows and doors
It may sound obvious, but make sure all windows and doors are locked and remove any keys from locks or where intruders can see them and bring in your spare key from its hiding spot. Before you leave, walk around your home to double-check everything is secure.
5. Make slippery slopes
Many burglars obtain access to your home using drain pipes, low fences, or walls that are easy to climb. Investing in anti-climb paint will leave a sleek, more slippery surface that will make surfaces difficult for thieves to scale.
6. Clean up your garden
Thieves look for escape routes and hiding spots when deciding which homes to break into, meaning gardens with high, overgrown hedges are more likely to be targeted. Before you leave, give your garden a thorough tidy-up to make your property less likely to be targeted whilst you’re away.
7. Ensure your house looks lived in
Whilst you may be tempted to leave your lights on for the whole time you are away, thieves will spot this. Using automatic timer switches for turning on a few well-appointed lights and a radio or TV will ensure your house does not seem empty. Be sure to have lights come on at different times throughout your time away to really deter any thieves.
8. Keep your holiday off social media
Social media is increasingly being used by burglars to find empty houses, with thieves watching Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts to work out when residents are away. Avoid posting about your break on any social media platforms whilst you are away and instead wait until you are back home to update your friends and family about your trip.
9. Get a trusted companion to help you out
Asking a family member, friend or neighbour to come over every day will create the illusion that someone is living in your house. Ask them to move any post, open and close blinds and curtains, and park a car in your driveway, to put off any potential burglars who could be monitoring your home.
