5 practical tips to keep your home safe when you are away this summer.
Are you thinking of your summer holidays right now? Unfortunately, so are burglars!
Burglaries rise about 15% between June and August when people are on holiday. The number could rise this year, as many people are catching up on taking holidays after being locked up last year.
Here are five practical tips to help keep your home safe this summer – don’t be an easy target!
1. Make sure all doors and windows are locked
Although it may sound obvious, many people forget to lock up due to the excitement of going away on holiday. Always double check all doors and windows are locked before you leave the house.
2. Find a safe place for packages
Package thefts are on the rise due to the growth of e-commerce. A full letterbox means an empty house. Find a safe place for post and packages or ask your neighbour to collect them for you. Don’t forget to cancel deliveries of milk and newspapers either.
3. Keep gardens secure and sheds locked
Sheds are low hanging fruit for burglars. They are often left unlocked and contain an average of £550 worth of treasures. Tools stolen from your shed can be used by burglars to gain access to your home. Make sure you lock any garden gates, sheds, and garage doors; preferably with a very heavy-duty padlock.
4. Change your social media privacy setting
Burglars and criminals aren’t stupid! They scour social media for information that can help them to commit crimes. When you post pictures of your holiday or check-in on a Facebook page, you are exposing your location and inviting burglars to pay a visit to your house. Change your privacy settings and only share updates with people you know and trust.
5. Ask a neighbour for help
Burglars prefer an easy target. Don’t advertise the fact that your home is unoccupied. Thieves look for 4 tell-tale signs: piled up mail, uncollected bins, empty driveways and dark, unlit rooms. Put lights and lamps on timer switches and make friends with your neighbours – ask them to help out with the bins etc. and to park in your drive. Be a fantastic neighbour and return the favour when they are away!
If you’d like to rest assured that you home is ALWAYS in safe hands, consider installing a high-spec burglar alarm system. A recent survey found that 94% of burglars would actively avoid a home with an alarm or CCTV system in place. At Harpenden Alarms, we specialise in the installation and maintenance of security systems and CCTV to residential and commercial properties. Give us a call today to see how we can help! 01582 465243.
