6 Vital Home Security Checks to Take Pre-Holiday

You’re all packed and ready to go on an epic holiday. You’ve waited all year for this moment. Finally, a week or two long break away from work or education. While this is naturally an exciting time, don’t forget to carry out these necessary home security checks before you venture off.

There’s nothing worse than that niggling feeling when you’re driving to the airport, or have arrived at your destination that you’ve forgotten to switch off a light, lock a door or move your spare house key out of sight.

To avoid that dreaded sinking feeling of, ‘oh no! I forgot to…’ Here’s a quick checklist of pre-holiday security steps you can take.

What steps do you need to take to ensure home security while you’re away on holiday?

1. Consider a house sitter

One way to guarantee your house is secure is by ensuring that you have a trusted house sitter during the period that you’re away. When there’s someone living in your home, you’re less likely to experience an incident of burglary as the person inside will act as a good deterrent. An occupied house is not an attractive option for potential intruders and thieves.

A potential house sitter can be a neighbour, friend or family member. Their duties could be extended to, or as little as, picking up any post, watering plants or looking after any pets while you’re gone. This all helps it look like there’s someone living there.

2. Set your electronic devices on timers

The advancements of modern technology mean that you can control electronic devices in your home from anywhere in the world, at any time. Why is this important? It means that you can change any timers you’ve set for lights, or if you’ve forgotten to do this, you can change that immediately.

Smart home technology also allows you to answer the door from a long distance. During the period of time you’re away from home, it is a good idea to make sure you don’t schedule any deliveries. 

3. Eliminate factors that indicate you’re not at home

If you have any signs that indicate that you’re not home, these need to be eliminated – such as newspapers on your doorstep. It is also important to make sure that you do not leave a spare key underneath a mat or plant pot. Any unwelcome guests will look there first. If a burglar gained entry and there is no evidence of a forced entry, this could mean your house insurer won’t pay up.

4. Hide or put valuables out of sight

Alongside eliminating any signs that no-one is occupying the property, it is also important to hide and make sure that any valuables are out of sight. It’s impractical to hide absolutely everything, but there are some things you can do to make your house less of a target. For example, you can install net curtains to help obscure the view, and make it less attractive for potential thieves to gain access. 

Opportunistic thieves will go straight for jewellery in your bedroom, car keys left on the side, or electrical devices such as phones, ipads and computers left in the window view.

5. Lock windows, doors, gates and other entrances to your home

When you’re departing from the property, make sure you lock all possible entrances and exits to your home, including windows and doors. It is also imperative that you check all the locks are in good working order.

When leaving, you should also check the garden to see if you have any items in your shed that could be used to break into your home. 

6. Don’t post anything on social media until you’re back home

Lastly, it is important not to post on social media that you are going on holiday. While it’s incredibly tempting to post a quick update to friends and family, this also broadcasts that you will not be at home, leaving your home vulnerable to opportunistic thieves. 

Contact Bingley Windows

Effective home security is not complete without an efficient set of secure windows throughout your home. How do yours measure up? For modern and secure windows, contact our team here at Bingley Windows. Call us today on 01535 958 183 or fill out our online enquiry form.

Why Choose Bingley Windows