The Easter and summer holidays are a prime time for burglars to strike – the kids are off school and the whole family is away on holiday. Empty houses are easy targets – opportunists can spot them a mile off, and be in and out with your valuables before anyone even notices. But there are some steps you can take to protect your home whilst you’re away on holiday. Follow these simple tips and you’ll have one less thing to worry about whilst you’re soaking up the sun!
Use a Timer
Fit a timer light to lamps in your home. These are inexpensive and available at most DIY stores and some high street retailers. They’re easy to set, and it’s usually a good idea to place one in a front facing room, and one to the rear of your property. By setting the timer to switch lamps on and off at various points during the day and evening, it can look as if someone is actually home! Try not to just have lamps come on at dusk and go off in the morning, but set patterns as if you were using the lights yourself. Remember to tilt blinds or partially draw curtains to keep prying eyes out! Timers plug into the electricity socket, and so can be used to switch on other devices, such as a radio, for several hours each day – another good way to make it seem as if someone is home.
Be Neighbourly
If you don’t already know your neighbours, there’s no better time to strike up a conversation! Let them know you’ll be going travelling, and leave your safe keys with them. Birmingham and other cities often experience the highest levels of crime during the holidays, when properties are empty. By leaving a key with a neighbour, you can be sure that they will keep an eye on your home whilst you’re away, and can let themselves in if they hear or see anything suspicious. When you come back to Birmingham, keys can be collected, or you can choose to leave a spare set with them in case of emergencies!
Make Security a Priority
Lock all your windows and check patio doors before you leave – ideally window and door keys should be taken out and stored in a drawer or other safe place. By leaving keys in doors or windows, it’s much easier for burglars to smash the glass and use the key to gain entry to your home. By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your home is safe and secure whilst you are away on holiday, so lie back, open your favourite book and enjoy soaking up the sun on the beach!
