PROTECTING YOUR HOME WHEN YOU'RE AWAY

We all want to protect our home when we’re away from it - but sadly, most of us don’t take any safety measures to do it. The following tips are designed to help you keep your home safe when you’re away.

SECURE THOSE DOORS AND WINDOWS

We start these tips with an obvious one - many break-ins are carried out by simply smashing a weak door or window or forcing a vulnerable lock. If your doors and windows have seen better days, then it’s time for an upgrade.

TIME TO GET AN ALARM

If you already have an alarm system, make sure you properly activate it before you leave. If you don’t already have one, it’s time for you to make an investment. A good alarm system doesn’t cost the world and is one of the best deterrents money can buy.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

It’s time to make use of your community. If you have a neighbour you trust, then it’s a good idea to tell them when you’re going away and coming back - this way, if they notice any suspicious activity around your home, they can call the police on your behalf.

DON’T TELL THE WORLD

As good as social media is, you should never post when you’re going away anywhere online. It’s easy for criminals to monitor social media, especially if your account is public. Keep the holiday photos off social media until you’re back.

CHECK YOUR HOME INSURANCE POLICY

Just because you have home insurance, doesn’t mean you’re always covered if the worst happens. Many home insurance policies state a limit on how many days you can leave your home unoccupied before your claim is rejected. It’s always worth taking a look at your policy to make sure you’re still covered.

KEEPING UP APPEARANCES

Opportunistic burglars will always look for an easy target, so keeping your home looking lived-in while you’re away should always be a priority. The best way to achieve this lived-in look is by buying plug timers - this way, lights will turn on and off when you’re away.