How to keep your home safe over the festive season

So it’s finally December and you’re going on holiday after the trash fire year that was 2017. Such joy! Such relief!

But what happens to your home while you’re away? It’s no secret that many people go on holiday at this time of year and their homes might be more susceptible to break ins.

We’ve rounded up a few tips so you can have peace of mind while you’re away on holiday.

Draw up a schedule

If you live in a shared house with flat mates, then make sure at least one of you is home while the others go on holiday. Or get a sitter to look after the place while you’re not there.

READ MORE: Make your house burglar-proof

Make sure the house looks occupied

Even if you’re not able to get someone to actually stay at your place, perhaps get someone (like a neighbour) to take the mail inside, switch the lights on at night and off in the morning and take your bin to the side of the road when it needs to be collected. Perhaps even leave the TV on during the day so it seems as if someone is home.

Secure your home

If there’s no one able to look after your house this holidays, or even if there is, make sure your home is very secure. If you live with parents, rent from a landlord, or have your own home, discuss getting locks fitted on your windows, steel gates at the entrances and deadlocks on your doors.

READ MORE: How secure is your home?

Also, make sure you don’t leave tools or large items like ladders lying around the outside of your house so that they cannot be used as means to break into your home. If you have a shed/garage, then make sure to secure it with a strong lock.

Get a house sitter

As previously mentioned, getting someone to look after your house or flat while you’re not there is a great idea. Not only will they be able to give your house that extra layer of security by showing potential burglars that there is someone home, but they can also look after your pets and/or plants while you’re away.

READ MORE: 5 apps that could save your life

Assess your weak points

Pretend as if you’ve locked yourself out of your house and need to get back in. Try all the obvious access points and maybe ones only you would think of. Can you get in without your keys? Then so can anyone else. Think about getting those access points secured.

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