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Home security is a critical concern for homeowners, especially when planning for holidays or extended trips. While you're away enjoying your holiday, your unoccupied home can become a target for burglars and other potential risks.
We’ve put together some practical advice on safeguarding your home during your trip, covering essential security measures and effective strategies to deter intruders.
The cornerstone of any home security strategy is fortifying the entry points. Begin by ensuring all doors and windows are securely fastened by reinforcing existing locks where necessary. You might need to consider upgrading to more robust locking mechanisms like deadbolts for exterior doors. To further enhance security, install window locks or security bars, particularly on ground-level windows where entry is easiest. This will create an additional barrier to deter potential intruders.
External buildings like sheds and garages shouldn’t be overlooked, especially if you store expensive tools or belongings in them. Automated doors offer greater security because they’re harder to break into, giving you that extra layer of confidence that your home is safe.
Deterring burglars is all about making your home appear occupied and well-maintained. A well-kept exterior is a strong indicator that the home is lived in and cared for, so take the time before you leave to mow the lawn, trim hedges, and clear away any mail or newspapers that accumulate while you’re away.
If possible, leaving your car in the driveway, or asking a neighbour to park there while you’re away, can also help create the illusion of someone being home. Exterior lighting with motion sensors is another effective deterrent, as it can startle intruders and make them think twice about approaching your property. Timers or smart devices to turn on lights, TVs, or radios at random intervals will also add to this illusion, making your home less appealing to potential burglars.
Smart home technology offers innovative ways to enhance your home’s security and imitate daily routines while you’re on holiday. Smart lighting systems, for example, can be programmed to turn lights on and off at different times, while remote monitoring through a smart home hub allows you to keep an eye on various aspects of your home, no matter where you are. Automated systems, like smart plugs, can be used to further control devices like lights, TVs, and radios, to deter potential burglars.
In the age of social media, it's tempting to share your travel plans with everyone you know, but this can backfire. If it winds up in front of the wrong people, it could alert potential burglars to your home's vacancy. Avoid posting about your trip until after you've returned and be cautious with out-of-office email messages that might reveal your absence.
Before leaving for your trip, ensure your valuables are properly stored by using a home safe for important documents and smaller valuable items. If you’re going to be away for some time, you might even consider off-site storage for high-value possessions. It’s also important to make sure ladders and tools like drills, crowbars or screwdrivers are locked away securely, so they can’t be used to enter your home.
Keeping your home safe and secure is about more than simply preventing people from breaking in. You also want to ensure that you don’t come home to any damages to the property. If you’re travelling during winter, it’s a good idea to leave your boiler on and set the heating to come on, just at a low temperature while the property’s empty, to stop the pipes from freezing.
To minimise the risk of a water leak, turn off the water supply by using the home’s stopcock before you head off on your holiday. This can usually be found under the sink in your kitchen, but might also be near the gas meter or the front door. If you’re struggling to find it, ask a neighbour with a similar property to your own to help narrow down your search.
Alarm and surveillance systems are critical components of home security, especially when you’re on holiday. Before leaving, make sure your alarm system is fully functional, and that any necessary maintenance or software upgrades have been carried out beforehand. It’s also worth setting up notifications to alert you or a trusted person if the alarm is triggered, allowing for a swifter response while you’re away.
Installing security cameras around key entry points also adds an additional deterrent and provides the ability to monitor your home remotely via smartphone apps. Even if you don’t have an alarm or cameras, displaying signs that suggest your home is protected can be an effective deterrent against any criminal behaviour.
Your neighbours can be an invaluable resource in keeping your home safe while you’re on holiday. Informing a trusted neighbour of your absence and asking them to keep an eye on your property can provide an extra layer of security – alternatively, ask a friend or family member you trust to pop by a few times while you’re out to check everything is ok.
Make sure to exchange contact information so they can reach you if anything unusual happens. If your area has a neighbourhood watch programme, it’s also a good idea to let them know about your trip so they can include your home in their patrols. For added convenience, you might consider leaving a spare key with a neighbour or friend. Don’t be tempted to hide it outside because it can be easily discovered by intruders and put your home at risk.
Taking the time to secure your home before going on holiday is essential for peace of mind. You don’t want to enjoy a relaxing time away, only for your trip to be cut short because of a water leak or a break in. With a bit of forethought and attention to detail, you can significantly reduce the risk of burglary or damage to your property.
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