How to Secure Your Home before a Holiday

Going away on holidays? It’s always a good idea to take the necessary steps to secure your home so that you can enjoy your break, without worrying about your home. So what are the steps you should take a week before you leave and just before you walk out the door? Read on to find out.

Cover your bases

One of the first things to do is to make sure your home insurance policy and car insurance is all up to date. They’d be nothing worse than returning home only to find out something disastrous took place and you aren’t covered. Of course fingers crossed this won’t happen, but it’s always better to play it safe by making sure your insurance is all in check.

Talk to a neighbour

It’s always a good idea to let those who live around you know that you will be going away. That way, if they see people coming up to the house, they’ll be able to do something about it. An overflowing mail box is a sure sign to burglars that no one is at home. So ask your neighbour to collect your mail for you while you’re on holidays.

Making it look like there is someone at home

A great way to keep your home looking as if you’re there is to use timers on your lights. As soon as it hits dusk, have your timers activate certain lights in your home. These are easy to operate, and can be bought at most hardware stores for a reasonable price.

Make sure all electrical goods are off

Rather than just turning lamps, kitchen appliances and your TV off at the switch, why not turn them off at the power point? Televisions still use power even in standby mode so it’s worth turning them off at the power source. Things like electric blankets need to be switched off too to ensure they don’t cause a fire. Each year electric blankets cause fires across the country and as we head into winter, more and more people forget to make sure they are switched off.

Securing your car

Make sure your car is parked securely in your garage or car port before you head off. Double check that it’s locked, the lights are off and all the windows are up.

Double Check everything is secure

Give yourself five minutes or so once everyone is outside to go into each room and make sure that every window is locked and secured, and all electrical appliances are turned off at the power point. This last minute check will ensure that everything is secure, and will make sure you have complete peace of mind while you’re away.

The most important thing to remember when going on holidays is to try not to rush out the door without confirming that everything is off and secure. Give yourself enough time for a final last look, to make sure that you’ve done everything you can to keep your home as safe as possible, while you enjoy your holiday.

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How to Save Money with Home Safety Features

Having a safe home not only protects you but can also save you a lot of money in the long run. When we think of home security, we imagine the vast sums that we could spend on special security gadgets, surveillance equipment, roller blinds, alarm systems and even security patrols. But how about all the little things you can do to secure your home that do not cost a fortune.

General Door Locks

A standard door lock is not enough these days. Not only is it easy to break into a house with only a standard lock on the door, but you will also end up paying more for insurance. You should at least have a deadlock on every entry way (front and back door) for improving your insurance premium.

Be sure to check with your insurance company for ways that you can reduce your premium. It is usual practice that an insurance company (when arranging your initial cover) will ask you about your current locks. If you have changed your locks since you took out your policy be sure to let them know, as they could reduce your insurance premium.

Window Locks

While you can't stop people breaking your windows, you can stop them from being opened. A window lock is different from the ordinary latches found on a standard window. Window locks can even prevent many types of windows from being lifted out of the frame. You should check to see what kind of glass you have installed in your windows, particularly if you have old windows. Older window styles are easier for people to break into, especially the ones that lift open rather than slide.

Screens and Shutters

Apart from locks on your doors and windows, security doors and windows provide extra defence. It is better to spend a little extra on security screens and doors – the quality of the more expensive ones is much superior. Many cheap security screens and doors look great but have little strength. This means that a thief could pull your security screen off the window or bend open your security door. Some cheap models can simply be unscrewed!

Outdoor Areas

Outdoor areas are your first line of defence against robberies and there are very cheap ways that you can secure the outside of your home. The key to good security is to provide visual deterrents – any form of garden light is invaluable, especially motion sensor lighting. These are very cheap and can prevent you being robbed. It is also a good idea to have lights in important areas, such as your pool area. Pool supplies will take care of the clean water side of things, but ensuring your backyard is well lit serve to deter potential thieves.

Remember, you don't have to spend a fortune to be safe and secure in your own home.

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