When it comes to leaving our homes for a prolonged period, whether for a weekend trip away, a short visit to see the family or a week-long vacation, it’s important to feel our homes are fully protected and secured whilst we’re away.
From the exterior perimeter of the property to the front entrance, there are many different areas of the home which need to be protected and kept secure from any unwanted visitors.
To ensure you can enjoy your holiday with the peace of mind knowing your home is secure, our expert team have provided five handy tips on how you can make sure you home is protected while you’re away.
Tip 1 – Arm the smart alarm
While away from your property and on vacation, the security of your property can often play on your mind. Is the front door locked? Is the alarm armed? Did we close all the windows?
An effective way to put your mind at ease is by installing a smart alarm. Controlled through your smartphone, you can arm, disarm or part arm your home from anywhere all through your smartphone app.
With a smart alarm, you’re always in the know. Receive notifications straight to your smartphone, providing you with peace of mind throughout your trip and letting you fully relax and unwind.
Smart alarm systems aren’t just beneficial for when you’re on vacation, an alarm system will provide all-year-round security protection for the home.
A smart security system can let you monitor and control the alarm from anywhere, however installing a bright bell box on the outside of your home can also act as a visual deterrent to any thieves who might be scoping out your property.
Tip 2 – Lock it up
Before leaving your home, make sure you double check all windows and doors are locked and secured. Be sure to also remove any keys from locks and ensure they are out of sight of intruders.
The locking of doors and windows can also play a vital role in the security of your home whilst you’re away.
If you’re someone who often worries if the door is locked securely, investing in a smart lock could help to take away this stress. With a smart door lock you can check if your door is locked and secure, from anywhere at any time, letting you enjoy your holiday and putting your mind at ease.
And if your door is unlocked, you can simply lock it from where you are or ask a trusted neighbour or family member to visit and lock up.
Tip 3 – Install a home security camera
Securing the home and all our possessions is a main priority when we leave our properties unattended, however it’s just as important to ensure the outside of your property is protected whilst you’re away.
Trees, bushes, other greenery and wheelie bins can offer the perfect hiding places for opportunistic thieves. Hidden out of sight, they can plan the most effective and covered route of entry into the property without being spotted.
And that’s why installing smart security cameras can be extremely beneficial to keep a check on your home. The cameras firstly can act as a visual deterrent, showing potential intruders you take your home security seriously, and secondly the cameras can record any suspicious activity outside your home.
With smart security cameras it’s possible to check in and view the footage from anywhere, anytime, making it easy to always keep an eye on your home, even when you’re not there.
Tip 4 – Enlist the help of neighbours
If you’re away for a long period of time, post can start to build up and with less or no cars parked on the drive and curtains or blinds open at night, it can be a clear signal to thieves that the home is unoccupied.
As well as having security measures in place, having someone pop in every couple of days can help to make the house look like there’s someone at home.
Before you head off on your trip, make arrangements with a trusted neighbour to check in on the home occasionally, opening and closing the blinds and picking up the post.
Another trick is for your neighbour to park their car on your drive. This will help to make your property look like someone is coming and going, again, making the home look occupied and putting off potential thieves.
Tip 5 - Get smart with your lighting
Having no lights on at home can often be a signal to opportunistic thieves that no one is at home. And, as well as a signalling the property is empty, the darkness of an unlit home can provide the cover needed for unwanted visitors to get in and out without being spotted.
Having a light set up on a timer whilst you’re away is an effective way of giving the impression someone is home, even if there isn’t. Having a timed light set up downstairs and one upstairs makes sure all areas of your home are covered.
One way you can ensure the light is working and turning on and off when required is by using a smart plug. Controlled through your smartphone, you can schedule when your lights come on and go off all through a handy app.
If you want to change the schedule whilst you’re away or remotely switch the lights on and off it’s possible anywhere, anytime, all with your smartphone app.
No homeowner wants to get back from holiday and find their home broken into. And so, with a few security measures put in place before you go away, you can have the peace of mind to know that your home is safe and secure.
To discover more information on how to protect your home this summer, or to view our range of security solutions, visit here.