Advice Centre

Protecting your Home while you're away

Going on holiday or leaving your home unoccupied for several days is the ideal time for thieves to strike! Here we have compiled a checklist from an amalgamation of Home Office, Police and Crime Prevention advice.

• Arrange a house sitter if practical
  Your home is normally more secure if someone is living in it. Ideally ask a relative, trusted neighbour or friend to stay. You never know they might love having a little break away.
  
  
• Cancel your newspapers and post
  An overflowing post box or piles of newspapers advertise the fact that no-one is at home.
  
  
• Connect some of your lights to timer switches
  Try to make it look like someone is living inside your home so set the switches to the times when you would normally use each of the rooms.
  
  
• Ask someone to regularly check your home
  Having a neighbour open and close curtains for you makes it appear that someone is at home. They can also look after your potted plants as dead plants in outside pots or visible through windows are another clue that the property is empty.
  
  
• Notify your landlord if you are away
  In some rented accommodation this is compulsory and irrespective of this, it s always good to ask your landlord to keep an eye on your home whilst you are away.
  
  
• Install a Burglar Alarm
  There many of different types available on the market, including some inexpensive portable models. Always select one which has a loud siren if it is triggered this really frightens a thief and attracts the attention of your neighbours.
  
  
• Contact Details
  Leave your contact details with your house sitter, friend or neighbour.