Is Your Home Safe and Secure?

Are you looking forward to a few days away for your summer holiday without a worry in the world – or will you be worrying the whole time about what you will find when you get back home?

Statistics tell us that burglary crime figures have fallen, but there is always the odd figure in these statistics that could be your home.

Depressing – yes, factual – yes. So what’s to be done about it?

To up the chances of staying safe and secure try all or at least some of the following:

1. Don’t advertise the fact that you are away. Cancel your newspaper delivery, milk and any other regular delivers. Don’t announce the fact in your local shop, just hand the assistant a note with the instruction dates for cancellation/resuming delivers. Don’t broadcast to all and sundry how you are looking forward to soaking up the sun in Wherever.

2. If you have a friendly neighbour ask that they hang some washing out on your line to give the impression of occupancy. Do the same for her when she is away and remember to bring a small gift back from your holiday for her. Digital timers are excellent for radios and lights. Your neighbour might even be prepared to draw and open your curtains each day. She is going to need either return services from you and/or a bumper present.

3. Put your name and address inside your suitcase. You never know who is looking out for ‘soft touches’ to burgle.

4. Hopefully you already have door and window locks installed. These are an advantage now that you will be away on holiday, but will also lessen the cost of your home insurance policy. If you have ladders and handy tools stored away in the garage or shed, make doubly sure there are sturdy locks fitted. Don’t provide in traders with gear on site. Also check your home insurance policy if you are going to be away for longer than 14 days to make sure you are covered.

5. If you are lucky enough to have some really valuable items of jewellery or paintings and porcelain bequeathed by Auntie, if these cannot be successfully hidden, ask your local bank if they provide storage facilities. Expensive items such as lap-tops and phones should be hidden.

6. Mow your lawn before you set off and make sure the garden is looking tidy.

Can you call in a favour or two and ask a friend or neighbour to park their vehicle on your drive?

Also can they put your waste-bin outside on collection day and remove it when emptied. Nothing advertises the fact that you are away if the dreaded wheelie bin is parked outside for days on end. Almost like saying – Enter please.