Going on holiday? Have you secured your home?

As your summer holiday approaches, you and your family are probably filled with excitement and cheer. Your bags are almost packed and you are more than ready to sip cocktails on the beach. But wait! Have you secured your home from being targeted by criminals? Can you rest assured knowing that your home will be safe while you have your tranquil massage? Here's how to secure your home when going on holiday:

Test your home security system
When last did you test your alarm system or the response time of the security company you pay every month to watch over your home? You need to test your alarm system before you and your family leave for your holiday. Test that your alarm is loud enough for your neighbours to be alerted and that your system is fully functional to avoid any last-minute running around. Let your security company know about your holiday dates so that they can be extra alert when doing their daily checks. If you have CCTV surveillance, ensure that the systems are working appropriately and you are able to monitor your home via your cellphone or laptop when you are away.

Keep a light on
About a week before your holiday get into the habit of switching a light on, if you do not already do. Criminals will think that this is a regular practice and it is not because there is no one at home. The outside lights can be automated to go on at certain times, so you do not waste electricity during the day while you are on holiday. Also, having your lights on throughout your holiday is a sign that you are not at home to turn them off. The light will further alert your neighbours as they will be able to see if intruders are in your yard. Intruders will be intimidated to break into your property as they may second guess if the house is empty or not when they see a light on. Sensor lights are also great to have in your property to ward off criminals.

Secure your valuables
Before you depart, secure your valuables from intruders. They should be locked away and out of sight in the event that a criminal enters your property. If you do not have a safe you can hide your valuables somewhere unusual, like a kitchen cupboard in an insignificant container. Also, do not leave your car keys or any spare keys in places that criminals can easily find them. 

Say no to social media
By now you should know that posting about your personal life on social media is not the 'savvy' thing to do. While you may want to boast about the great adventures you are having on your holiday, this also tells criminals that no one is at home and it becomes an invitation to intrude your property. 

Insurance companies have also become smarter with regards to payouts. If your home has been broken into and you make a claim, they will thoroughly scrutinize your social media accounts to see if you have notified criminals that you will not be at home. Furthermore, some insurance companies have gone to the extent of noting in contracts (that you have signed) that they will not pay out if you post about not being at home. 

Securing your home while you are on holiday is essential and will help you have a peaceful retreat with no worries. Evaluating your safety concerns and identifying vulnerabilities in your property that can be exploited by intruders is vital and can save you tons of money. If your unsafe neighbourhood prevents you from enjoying a holiday contact Knight Frank Properties today to get more insight into the areas you should be considering for your next home.