How to Prepare Your Home Security Before Going on a Long Holiday

It’s summertime and you deserve a break from work and life. Do you have a long holiday planned? To have complete peace of mind and to truly enjoy your break it is important to think about your home security and the things you need to do to make sure your home is safe while you are away. Here are some key tips on how to prepare your home security system and additional processes before going on a long holiday.

Why is it important to check home security before a holiday?

It is so easy to get carried away with packing your suitcase, finding your passport, making sure you’ve got the toiletries, sun creams, and sundries for the entire family for the journey and the holiday destination. This might mean that you forget to check a few simple things around the home that will keep it secure when you’re away. A routine checklist for just before you go on holiday gives you peace of mind and evidence that you’ve done everything that you can, allowing you to jet off and enjoy your summer holiday.

Steps to secure your home before a holiday

Here are a few simple steps that you can follow before you head away on holiday.

1. Lock all doors and windows

It’s easy to forget to check a small bathroom window upstairs or a side door that you rarely use, but it could be the difference between securing your home or leaving it at risk. Check that every single window and door is closed and locked, including all upstairs windows, side entrances, conservatory doors etc. Outdoor furniture, ladders, and bins may be used to access high, vulnerable entry points, so be vigilant.

2. Secure all valuables

Never leave valuable items in view from outside. This means laptops, jewellery, tablets, wallets, or anything else that is valuable, should be stored away, out of sight of the windows. Alongside this, never leave any spare keys for the house or car keys close to the letterbox, cat flaps, or accessible windows, as criminals may be able to reach them.

3. Speak to trusted neighbours

If you have a neighbour that you completely trust, or family members close by, leave a spare key with them for emergencies or to come round and check the post, open and close curtains, water the plants, feed the cat etc. This helps home security, as it maintains an active house that criminals would be put off by and also has trusted eyes on your property looking out for any danger. You may also want to invest in timed lights etc. to make the house seem occupied even when a trusted person isn’t able to visit.

4. Check your outbuildings

It isn’t just your house that you need to secure before a holiday. If you have a shed, a garage, or any other type of outbuilding with valuable items inside you must also check them. Think about the safety of your bike, power tools, machinery, gardening equipment, or your car if it’s parked in the garage. Use a ground anchor for a bike and a secure lockbox for any power tools.

5. Are your cameras in the right place?

It’s good to review the locations for CCTV cameras around your home semi-regularly, so just before a holiday is the ideal time. Proper placement of security cameras around the home makes a massive difference. The main entrance to the property should be covered, as should a main back entrance or any side entrance that you have to the property. Alongside these areas think carefully about any hidden or black spots that may provide a criminal with a chance to enter a vulnerable point around the home. For some people, the extra precaution of cameras inside the property helps when you are away from home, whilst some want to protect garages and outbuildings with cameras, to ensure that high-value goods are not stolen.

6. Check your home alarm system

Is it time to upgrade your home security system? Some burglar alarms are linked to monitoring centres. This means that even when you’re on holiday, if there is a break-in and the alarm is triggered, you are notified and the authorities can be alerted by the remote team. How does a burglar alarm work? Home alarm systems are triggered when certain sensors are set-off. This could be linked to specific entry points, internal sensors, or linked to CCTV systems when security cameras pick up unauthorised movement on the premises. Even the placement of a home alarm in a prominent location can be enough to deter a criminal from attempting to break into your home.

Keep your home safe when you’re on holiday

There’s nothing worse than being away from home on holiday yet worrying about whether you’ve secured your home enough for the time you’re away. It’s vital that you have peace of mind to ensure that you make the most of the holiday and can truly relax. If you are away for a week or two it makes sense to follow the steps above, to make sure that everything is secure, that trusted neighbours or family are informed, and that you have the best home security system in place to offer protection and act as a deterrent to criminals. Get a free security consultation today with Network Security, and we’ll help you have peace of mind for your next holiday.