How to keep your home safe when you’re on holiday
There is nothing worse than getting a call about a broken pipe or burglary while on vacation. Here are Anytime Mortgages top 10 tips for keeping your home safe when on vacation so you can relax and avoid disaster.
1. Give your home the appearance of being occupied
Burglars can take advantage of an empty home. In order to avoid attracting their attention in the first place, you must not draw their attention at all.
Among the signs they'll look for are:
A pile of posts is building up
Deliveries waiting at the front door
A drive with no car in it
Lights that run on a timer or are not on at night
The lawn needs to be mowed or the plants are overgrown
Unemptied or unreturned bins after a period of time.
They all have the potential to be giveaways. Ask a trusted neighbour, family member, or friend to pop in from time to time to prevent a break-in. If they can park their car in your drive too, that would be fantastic. They would be able to open and close the curtains, turn on and off the lights, collect your mail, and manage your bins.
Alternatively, you could hire a house sitter while you're away to take care of your house. It could be a family member or friend.
If you're going away, cancel any regular deliveries, such as milk and your daily newspaper - and don't order anything online that may arrive while you're away.
If you don't have a helpful neighbor, Royal Mail offers the Keepsafe service, which will hold your mail for up to 100 days and deliver it to you when you return.
2. Make sure everything is locked up!
The importance of home security is often overlooked when people are on holiday. Home insurance policies will only cover burglary claims if there is evidence of forced or violent entry. This is a mistake that could invalidate their policy.
Your home should be prepared before you leave:
Before leaving, lock all windows and doors with locks approved by your home insurance company.
Ensure that outbuildings, garages, and sheds are secure.
Make sure your tools are locked away so they can't be used to break into your home. Leaving a ladder outside isn't an option, but you should secure it with a padlock and chain, away from any potential entry points.
3. Keep your valuables hidden
If possible, keep your valuable items, such as computers and laptops, out of sight.
Installing a safe can be a good investment. As small models are easy to steal, it is important to make sure it is securely fastened in place.
4. Install a security system
You may be able to reduce your home insurance premiums with a burglar alarm, depending on your insurance provider. There's still a good chance that it will reduce the risk of burglary even if it doesn't.
Depending on your budget and security needs, you can choose from different types of burglar alarms.
The bell-only alarm comes with a central control panel with various motion sensors. It can be wireless (battery-powered) or wired in (professional installation).
A monitored alarm system connects to an alarm-receiving center (ARC), from which a staff member can contact you or a keyholder if the alarm goes off. It is also possible for them to contact the police.
A smart burglar alarm is managed via an app, and you'll receive alerts when it's triggered. Security cameras, motion detectors, and voice control can all be integrated into your smart home hub set-up.
Make sure your home security system is accredited by either the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) or the Security System and Alarms Inspectorate Board (SSAIB).
5. Make sure your doors are secure
76% of intruders who gain access to a private residence through the door gained entry in 2020, according to the Office for National Statistics.
For a stronger door, try solid wood, or for a longer-lasting alternative, try a composite door containing several materials. If it has a Secured by Design accreditation and meets PAS 24 British Security Standards, it is likely to be thicker than others on the market.
To keep intruders out, new models are likely to come with an anti-snap lock, as well as a multi-point locking system.
It's also a good idea to avoid glass panels or to choose reinforced glass. Also, you can install a letterbox guard, which prevents people from looking inside or reaching in to steal keys.
6. Keep social media accounts private if you are absent
Don't post anything inappropriate on social media. You might give potential thieves the green light to pop round if you mention on Instagram or Facebook that you're jetting off. Posting photos and videos can wait until you return.
A local shop or public space - where you could be easily followed home - is not a good place to talk about your upcoming holiday.
7. Get the support of your community
In your area, you can join a Neighbourhood Watch program for extra peace of mind. In the absence of one, you might be able to set one up. You don't need many people to participate - your street is enough.
8. Disconnect the water supply
Securing your home against theft isn't the only aspect of keeping it safe. The damage caused by water can also be just as costly - and even a small leak, if left unattended, can turn into a flood.
If you're leaving for a while, turn off your inside stop valve. There is a helpful guide on the Thames Water website that will explain how to do this.
Be sure your buildings insurance covers burst pipes and water leaks before you leave. Read the small print to make sure it is included in your policy.
9. Make sure all electrical devices are unplugged
While on vacation, turn off gadgets that are charging or on standby to save money on your energy bill and reduce the risk of fire.
If your fridge/freezer is empty, unplug everything at the wall except it.
Remember, most home insurance policies won't cover your property if it's left unoccupied for more than 30 consecutive days before you leave.
10. Will you be traveling for a long time?
Staying away for longer than 30 days will require you to notify your insurance provider, or else your policy will lapse.
You might consider unoccupied property insurance for long trips, which could protect your home from fire, flood and storm damage, vandalism and theft.