Ten top tips for a safe home while you’re away:
Holiday Travel, keep your home safe while you are away. Keep information about your holiday strictly on a need to know basis and think twice about posting any details on social media until after you return. You will have many picutres to share upon your return. You dont want to tell the world your out of town and invite burglers into your home.
Over 80% of burglaries occur when a house is empty, so try to make your house look occupied when you’re out and when you’re away on holiday.
Most people leave a hall light on if they go out for the evening – don’t! Instead choose to leave a light on in a room at the front of the house – one that’s visible from the road.
Whether to keep curtains open or closed is always a tricky decision. Leaving them closed during the day makes it look like there’s no one at home so best to leave them open and get security lighting.
- Even if you want to make a quick getaway early in the morning, don’t leave your car full of luggage overnight, or clearly visible from the outside. Keep it the hall ready for easy access just before you leave.
- Don’t leave your lights on for the whole time you are away. It’s worth investing in some automatic timer switches (from around 12 from DIY stores) for turning on a few well-appointed lights and a radio or TV. They vary in sophistication but most can be programmed to come on at pre-set or random times.
- For the price a bottle of duty-free or bunch of flowers, ask a friend or trusty neighbour to keep an eye on your property, collect post and pick up the free newspapers and junk mail left in the letterbox. If you’re really lucky, they may mow the lawn and sweep up leaves – often a clear giveaway that you’re not at home. If they have two cars, encourage them to park in your drive.
- Use Royal Mail’s Keepsafe scheme when you go away on holiday. It will keep letters and parcels for up to 66 days and deliver on your return. 12.80 for 17 days.
- Most people leave a hall light on if they go out for the evening – don’t! Instead choose to leave a light on in a room at the front of the house – one that’s visible from the road.
- Whether to keep curtains open or closed is always a tricky decision. Leaving them closed during the day makes it look like there’s no one at home so best to leave them open and get security lighting.
- Try not to leave valuable items, such as your TV, stereo or computer, where thieves can see them. Obvious, but many of us are guilty of doing this.
- Unplug all appliances to protect them from power surges and save energy from standby functions, as well.
- Keep tools under lock and key so they can’t be used to break into your house, and lock your garage and shed with proper security locks. If you have to leave a ladder outside make sure it’s security shackled to a permanent fixture with a heavy-duty chain and padlock.
- Just before you leave, spare a few minutes to walk around your home to double check everything is safe and secure. Worth every minute for peace of mind!
Security Patrol in your neighborhood is always helpful! Contact us today 919-886-6274
Tips from Goodhousekeeping
