When going on holiday, protecting your home is just as important as protecting the items you take with you. Follow these seven steps to ensure you have peace of mind while you’re away.
Invest in smart security
New technology, such as video doorbells, are making it easier to monitor homes while on holiday. Motion sensors that trigger cameras installed around the property can be a great way to deter would-be thieves.
Keep up your home maintenance
If you normally have a gardener come to look after your lawns and landscaping, make sure you keep up appearances while you are away. Potential thieves are likely to notice when things are a little unkempt, tipping them off to the fact that your house may be vacant. If you do all your own gardening and are planning to be away for a long time, it could be worth employing someone to look after your property while you are away.
Hold your mail and newspapers
This is fairly obvious, but it isn’t something that you want to forget. When there is lots of mail piling up on your doorstep or in your letterbox, it looks obvious that you are away. Asking your neighbours and friends to monitor and collect mail will ensure your home doesn’t look vacant. Alternatively, Australia Post offers a unique service allowing households to hold mail for up to 12 months.
Get your neighbour to park in your driveway
This small step ensures it always looks like someone is home, deterring any tempted burglars.
Lock up valuables in a safe
Any run-of-the-mill thief knows to check the bedroom first for valuables, so invest in a small safe and keep them secure. If buying a safe isn’t an option, put your valuables somewhere unusual like a kitchen pantry or bathroom closet in an inconspicuous container.
Don’t brag on social media
The temptation may be enormous, but social media oversharing could leave your home vulnerable to break-in. Pictures of your getaway destination are perfect for digital-savvy thieves to see you aren’t home. Wait until you return home before talking about it on social media, and if you absolutely need to share your plans, do it with a private group of people you can trust.
Organise a house sitter
The ultimate way to protect your house while away on holidays is to let someone else stay in your house. This ensures a constant presence in your property and can even save you money if you have pets that need looking after. If you don’t have a friend who can house sit, Australian house-sitting companies such as The House Sitters and Your Home My Home provide convenient services.
What do you do to protect your home while you are away on holiday?
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