There has been a series of long weekends and short weeks and school holidays are almost upon us. Hopefully this means many wonderful getaways with your loved ones. Wonderbars puts your safety first and in this blog, we cover the top tips for keeping your home safe during the holidays.
How to Keep Your Home Safe When You’re Away
This list is relevant for any time of the year you might be away from your home, whether it is for weddings, work trips, or a night on someone’s couch.
Don’t Alert The Media
You may share your daily meals on Instagram but remember if your profile is public, and in most cases can be read by anyone, be careful not to announce an empty house. Think twice about posting your detailed vacation plans. Furthermore don’t leave a message on your telephone saying you’re not home for an extended period of time. This goes for GPS too: programming “home” on your device might be a handy way to get back from wherever you are, but if your car is stolen at the airport, it will lead thieves straight to where you live.
Notify Your Neighbours and Security Company
Your neighbour can always keep an extra eye on your home while you are away. You can also notify your neighbourhood watch. If you have a security alarm, let the company know you are away and perhaps leave a house key and the code with someone you trust – maybe that neighbour.
Leave the Curtains
Before you leave for vacation, you may decide to close your curtains to prevent people from seeing inside your home. However, closed curtains also give the immediate impression that no one is home. Leave your curtains exactly as you usually keep them when you’re home, since noticeable changes could hint that you’re not around anymore, especially if your curtains are uncharacteristically left closed for a week. Move expensive items, like computers and television sets, out of plain sight if they’re visible from the window.
Make the Lights go On & Off
Don’t leave your lights on at home throughout the entire long weekend, your electric bill will end up very costly, and house lights which are on throughout the night might look a bit suspicious. Instead, purchase a light switch timer that can turn your lights on and off automatically according to a programmed schedule. If you don’t have such a device but have someone looking after your pets or plants, ask that person to switch on an alternating room’s lights each day.
Secure your Entries
Install a deadbolt lock – just one per garage door – and unplug the power to your automatic garage door to keep burglars from opening it with a universal remote. Secure your sliding glass doors by placing a metal rod or piece of plywood in the track to prevent a burglar from forcing the sliding door open. Make sure all windows are closed and bolted if can be before you leave.
Secure Your Stuff
Make sure vehicle/s left at the home are secured and keys are not left in an obvious place. Tools, gardening equipment and ladders should be locked away so they can’t be used to gain access to the home. And if you get any, ask that neighbour to regularly collect the mail from your driveway or door.
Secure Your Home With Quality Burglar Bars
Hire a house-sitter for planned trips, especially if you have pets. Stay safe and remember to keep checking our blog for the latest tips and tidbits in home security from your experts at Wonderbars.
Sources:
https://www.communitynews.com.au/eastern-reporter/lifestyle/home-security-checks-to-do-this-easter-and-anzac-day-holidays/
http://blog.welwitschia-estates.com.na/2017/04/10/6-ways-to-keep-your-home-safe-during-the-easter-holidays/
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