Before packing your luggage
Vacation is the time for relaxation and joy after a long year. Are you eagerly counting down the days until your summer vacation? As much as you’re dreaming of sandy beaches and margaritas by the pool, it’s important not to forget about the security of your home while you’re away. Burglaries and break-ins tend to increase during the vacation season, so taking the necessary precautions is crucial to ensure your peace of mind.
In this article, we will share 6 essential tips to increase home security before you jet off on your well-deserved getaway.
Assessing your current home security measures
While you’re away on vacation, your home becomes an especially tempting target for burglars and intruders. Before you can begin implementing new security measures, it’s essential to take a close look at your home’s current defences. Begin by walking around the exterior of your home and examining the locks on your doors and windows. Are they sturdy and functioning properly, or do they show signs of wear and tear?
Check that all entry points are properly secured and that there are no easy access points for intruders. Consider the visibility of your home from the street – are there any areas that are obscured or hidden from view, potentially providing cover for would-be burglars?
Our team is specialised in giving you a clear idea on what the burglars targeting when break in. If you need assistance and living in West London, our team is ready to come to your door.
Are your doors and windows locks updated
One of the most fundamental steps in enhancing your home security is upgrading your door and window locks. It is recommended that you change your locks every 7 years. If the locks are old, worn, or of a lower quality, consider replacing them with more robust options, such as deadbolts or smart locks. Moreover, check the condition of your doors themselves. Solid, well-constructed doors with reinforced frames are much more difficult to breach than flimsy or hollow-core alternatives.
Installing a digital system to increase home security
In today’s digital age, smart home technology has revolutionized the way we approach home security. Many people choose these days to upgrade to a security system that allow them to monitor their homes while enjoying the sandy beaches or hiking on the mountains. Smart locks offer the added benefit of remote access and monitoring, allowing you to control and monitor your home’s security even when you’re away.
Place cameras at the main entrance, covering the front and back doors, as well as any side or basement entrances. You may also want to position cameras to monitor areas that are hidden from the street, such as the sides or backyard of your home.
Securing windows and sliding doors
Start by inspecting the locks on all your windows and sliding doors. Ensure that they are functioning properly, and that the hardware is in good condition. Consider upgrading to more robust locking mechanisms, such as reinforced window locks or secondary locks that can be installed on the tracks of sliding doors.
Increase home security simply by creating the illusion of being home
It sounds silly, but one of the most effective ways to deter burglars from targeting your home while you’re away to create the illusion that your home is still occupied. Burglars often look for signs that a home is unattended, such as dark windows, uncollected mail, or an unkempt appearance, before attempting a break-in.
To combat this, consider implementing strategies that give the impression that your home is still being actively used. Set timers on your interior and exterior lights to turn on and off at regular intervals, mimicking the natural patterns of someone being at home. You can also use light sensors, smart plugs, or smart home devices to automate the operation of televisions, radios, or other electronics, creating the illusion of activity within the house.
Notifying neighbours trusted friends or hiring a house sitter
Building a network of support and vigilance within your local community can be an invaluable asset in securing your home during your vacation. By informing your neighbours and trusted friends about your upcoming trip, you can enlist their help in keeping an eye on your property and reporting any suspicious activity.
Another option could be hiring a pet sitter, if you have a pet in your house that cannot travel, or simply try to hire someone reliable who can be present in the house watering the plants collecting mails or packages that may arrive while you’re away.
Conclusion
To conclude, improving your home security before going on holiday is necessary. Nobody wants to return from holiday earlier than planned because of an unforeseen event such as burglary. These days, it is easier than ever before to come up with a rigorous plan to make sure that your home is not allowing any intruder to pass an entry point without authorization. Think of using smart devices that would create an illusion of an occupied home, talk to friends or neighbours about your absence so they can collect your mail or any packages.
Last, but not least stay safe enjoy your holiday, and don’t forget that we are just a call away from helping you assess the vulnerable entry points of your home.
