Keeping your home safe when you are on holidays

August 16, 2019
Jess

Your home is your castle, it shelters you from the outside world and keeps you and your family safe. Much like a castle, your home can come under siege from would-be thieves and vandals, it’s important to consider safety. Securing your home is as much about being vigilant and sensible as it is buying a security system or paying for a security service.

Going on holiday can be an exciting chance to relax and unwind but it can also be a cause of stress, it’s hard not to worry about your empty home, unprotected and vulnerable to criminals and opportunists. The thought of an intruder should not scare you off from time away, there are many simple ways to keep your home safe even while you are away on holiday.

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Security systems.

Only a decade ago, consumers worried about the safety of their homes had only one choice when it came to security systems. Subscription-based security services would supply and install all the necessary alarms and security cameras for free but would charge for a remote monitoring service, call-out fees, etc. These services are still available, but they are very costly, luckily there are other alternatives.

Nowadays there are hundreds of DIY security systems available and most at reasonable prices. A security system will usually consist of sensors, lights, cameras and a main “brain” to keep everything connected. Many systems are modular, meaning you can add as many sensors, lights, and security cameras as you see fit.

Of course, proper planning and placement are paramount to getting the most out of your security system, but the process is nowhere near as difficult as you might think. At the very least, a motion sensor and motion-activated light will deter intruders from your front door. The best systems will have an associated smartphone app for remote monitoring. Imagine being able to monitor your home from the comfort of a tropical beach!

Other deterrents.

Obviously, the best deterrent for would-be thieves would be a burly armed security guard who lives on your front porch, but this is not practical or economical. If you are leaving for a long trip, consider asking a friend to keep an eye on the property. Leave a set of keys with them in case they need to check in on the house.

Keeping your home tidy and kept is another cheap way of adding security. Most crimes occur not out of malice, but out of opportunity. A well kept and neat house will not betray the absence of occupants and present a much less desirable opportunity for home invaders and thieves. Consider holding your mail if you will be gone for a long period of time as a mailbox full of mail is a clear sign that no one is home.

As the old saying goes: Fake it ‘til you make it’. If you haven’t installed security cameras, or organized for someone to keep an eye on your home, some embellishments could reduce your risk of being burgled. Keeping a light on in a back room can give the illusion that the house is occupied. Similarly, some fake cameras or branded security stickers can give the impression your home is much more secure than it is.

Going on a holiday should be about relaxing and getting away from it all for a while. It shouldn’t be the cause of stress and worry over the security of your home. By installing a security system, even a simple one, you can dramatically reduce the likelihood of being burgled while you are away.