We all spend a lot of time making sure our homes are safe – ensuring windows and doors lock securely, installing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and keeping appliances well maintained. But what about when you are away for the day, for the weekend or when you jet off for a fortnights holiday?
There are several things you can do to keep your home safe and secure when you aren’t there.
- Get a neighbour to help out. Ask someone to pop in, open and shut curtains in the mornings and evenings, look after pets, water the plants etc. It helps make your home look more lived in if you are away for a while, deters thieves, and makes sure everything is well looked after.
- Don’t advertise it on social media. It is so tempting to ‘check in’ on Facebook and share your day out or holiday snaps on Instagram, but this does make everyone aware that you are NOT at home and that your house is likely to be empty. Wait until you get home, then share details of the fun times you have had.
- Stop any regular deliveries. If you always get your milk or newspapers delivered, then put them on hold while you are away. A large build up of untouched deliveries makes it clear that no one is at home, and makes your home much more susceptible to burglary.
- Unplug appliances. Fires can start so quickly, and power surges can be one cause. Make sure you unplug the TV, computer, toaster and kettle to keep your home safe. It can even save a bit of money on your energy bill too, as leaving things on standby uses power. Switch your fridge freezer to holiday mode too.
- Don’t leave a key. If someone is looking after the house for you, make sure you give them the key – don’t leave it in a ‘safe place’. Thieves are very good at finding keys ‘hidden’ under plant pots or above the door frame. It’s not worth the risk.
It’s also important to make sure you have adequate home insurance in place. Chill Insurance search and compare a range of buildings and contents cover to get the right policy for you. If the worst happens and you come home to find your house has been damaged or you have been a victim of burglary, at least you know you have it covered.
*This is a collaborative post*
Hi! These are all very good tips that we practice at our house. One additional thing that we do is to shut off the main water valve. Probably nothing is going to happen, but you never know. It would be awful to come home to a flood in the house!
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Great tips! We also do these when we go out of town. I also ask our postman to make sure our post doesn’t pile up at our doorstep because that’s a dead giveaway!