You’ve been looking forward to that long-deserved break and making sure your home is secure will give you added peace of mind to really enjoy your time away. Here are a few basic things you can do, apart from installing conventional security such as fences, burglar bars and alarm systems:
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1. Do tell, don’t tell
Do tell your security company, your neighbourhood watch, your neighbour and anybody else who can keep an eye on your property while you’re relaxing on the beach and can respond if they see anything out of the ordinary.
Don’t tell the world. In other words, however excited you might feel about your holiday and the beautiful places you’ll explore, don’t share the dates or your itinerary on social media.
2. Don’t let your mail pile up
If possible, suspend any newspaper or magazine delivery at home until you are back, or at least ask a friend or neighbour to pick up your mail, even junk mail, as piled-up envelopes, community newspapers and leaflets are a sure sign that nobody’s home.
3. Unplug
To save energy, unplug or turn off certain appliances if you’re going on holiday, writes Patrick Allen on lifehacker.com. This will also protect them from unexpected power surges.
Turn off: Air-conditioner (you’re not there, remember!); geyser; main water supply (which will save water and money if there’s a leak you can’t attend to immediately); lights (put one or two lights on a timer for security purposes).
Unplug: Electronics such as chargers, laptops, game consoles, stereos, TV, DVD/Blu-ray, modems and routers. As Allen says, nothing with a remote is ever truly ‘off’. And don’t forget small appliances such as toasters, blenders, coffee machines and microwave ovens.
4. Maintain your garden
If your garden looks well kept most of the year and suddenly the grass is growing knee-high, you’re basically announcing that you’re not home. If possible, pay someone to tend to your garden while you’re away, or if you make use of a garden service, don’t suspend these during the festive season.
5. Get a house-sitter (and what about your pets?)
One of the best solutions for securing your home is to ask a friend or neighbour to house-sit. Someone to keep an eye on things and coming and going from your home will go a long way towards keeping unwanted visitors at bay. A house-sitter who also happens to love animals may also solve the costly problem of booking your furry friends into a pet hotel, and your pets won’t be uprooted, which is an added plus.
PHOTO: iStock/Adventure_Photo
