Holiday security

Holidays, the time of year when we go away to feel relaxed, the last thing we want is to come back and find a mess. It’s easy to avoid if we all take a moment out of the rush to get ready, just to make sure all points in the home are secure.

We have seen many an after burglary where the uncomfortable mess could easily have been avoided by spending 10 minutes doing a security survey. We ask you, what’s quicker, 10 minute security check or days of cancelling cards and speaking to insurance companies?

In this post we will advise of the main checkpoints and extra measures of security that can be taken to ensure your home is safe when you get back.

Doors - Sounds simple doesn’t it? Make sure every door that can be locked in the house is locked, whether it be bedroom door, back door, or the little door to the storage. The main doors are obvious, but if there are 2 or 3 locks on a door, lock them all. Doors that have a Night-latch (Top lock) can most times be double locked, don’t just let it close, lock it too. Deadbolts that can be double locked should be double locked, it only takes an extra second. UPVC Door? Lift the handle, ensure all the hooks, bolts and rollers are engaged, then lock.

Windows - Close tightly and bolt shut. If you have sash windows and they don’t have bolts, we advise having a professional come out and fit some. Best security for the windows is a key’d-bolt from the inside going into the frame or adjacent window. UPVC window handles should be fully turned and locked, double checking windows will only take a few minutes.

Internal doors – Now we know this may sound a bit pointless, if the front door is locked and everything else is locked, why bother you ask? Easy, let’s just say that the absolute worst happens – a window is broken and the burglars manage to gain access. Should the internal doors be locked, this will make their lives much harder, they need more time to get through the house and they may even be locked in the room they break into. This keeps the damage to a minimum in the worst case scenario.

Alarm systems – If you have one, use it. Alarms deter burglars, the sight of the alarm from outside and the noise cuts their burglary short. Burglars will avoid a house with an alarm fitted as it’s easier to just go the neighbour who doesn’t have one.

Lights - Lights, TV, Radio. If you can set the TV and lights to come on and different intervals of the day and night, you’re set. A time switch will do the job, inexpensive and different appliances can be set to go on at different hours of the night/ day. If you have neighbours you trust, ask them to pop in every few days to turn a light on or off and play with the curtains. Opening the curtains halfway is also a good idea, closing them and leaving them closed for the extent of the holiday is a bad idea, it’s an obvious giveaway that the house is empty and just makes it easier for the burglars, curtains closed = no one can see them.

Keys – Spare keys, it’s always a good idea to make sure that any spare keys that have been given out to friends or family for safekeeping are accounted for. With an extended or even short holiday on the books it’s best to know who has your keys. Spare keys shouldn’t be left in the house when you’re out, if they are do your best to hide them in a safe location. At least if someone does manage to make it in, they won’t make it out through the front/ back door.

Last but not least, make sure someone near your home that you trust has a spare key while you’re away. This means they can check on your property, and if you happen to misplace your key while holidaying you can just pop by to pick them up on your way home.

Happy travels, and safe holidays!