Keep your home safe this holiday season

 

The holiday season is the perfect chance for a quick get away with the family. But before you pack up the car and head off on your trip make sure you take the time to keep your home safe.

 

Call on your neighbours or family

Ask a trustworthy neighbour, family member or close friend to bring in your mail and pick up your newspapers each day to stop them from piling up. Overflowing mail in the letter box and newspapers piled up is a tell tale sign for crooks that no-one is home.

If you’re going away for longer than a week, make sure you ask them to put your bins out for you. It’s also a good idea to put some rubbish in the bins just in case any sticky noses look inside and see they’re empty.

Useful tip: Ask a neighbour to park their car in your driveway so it looks like someone is home or if you have two cars, leave one parked in your driveway.

Keep it light

If you have an outdoor sensor light keep this on while you are away.

It’s also worth leaving a light on inside your home so that your house won’t look empty especially at night. If you’re not keen on a big power bill, purchase a light timer which can be set to come on at a certain time each night.

Useful tip: Keep your blinds closed so that prying eyes can’t see in.

Hold the phone

Turn down the ringer on your phone so that your missed calls can’t be heard - especially if they are going on an answering machine.

Useful tip: Don’t use the welcome message on your answering machine to let callers know that you’re away on holidays. You never know who will be calling.


Security

If you have a home alarm make sure it is set ready to go before you leave. If it is monitored it might be worth advising your security company of the best contact numbers to get you on while you are away.

Useful tip: Speak to your electricity company about getting a lock installed on your security system in case the power supply is cut.


Don’t tweet it!

Finally, don’t post on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace or blog that you will be going away. This can be an open invitation for crooks.

These things may seem obvious, but they are often the causes of thefts and break-ins during the holidays. So, remember these simple tips so you and your family can have a safe and happy holiday season.

www.unisecure.com.au
December 2010