How to keep your home secure this holiday season

If you have decided to spend this Christmas away from home, then you should consider safety precautions for your home. The Christmas season is the best time to go on holidays and take a break, however it also represents an opportunity for thieves. 

In fact, at some point 20.3 per cent of Australian homes were burgled, and it takes less than five minutes for 75 per cent of burglars to access a house. With such alarming numbers in mind, it helps to ensure that your house is well secured in case an opportunistic would-be robber comes to your house when you're not around. It is recommend that you hire Security, Alarms & Surveillance professionals to look at your property to make it safe before you leave for holiday Don’t let your holiday spirit be affected when arriving back to a devastated house - take these precautions and feel safe during the holidays. 

What are the steps to secure your house?

Make friends with your neighbors

Keeping contact with your neighbours or people living nearby can be incredibly convenient if you're gone for a long weekend or vacation. They are able to pick up the mail from the mailbox, water the plants and have a brief peek at the house to ensure if all is perfect. Cascading letters out of your letterbox is a dead giveaway for would-be robbers that nobody is home.

Be careful what you post on social media

Social media might be the newest and most modern way to keep in touch with friends and family. However, such platforms represent a great opportunity for thieves to know when to attack next. Our advice is not to share travel plans on social media if no one will be home to look after your house. 

Home security systems

A simple and straightforward solution for home safety is to install a security system. Many people and companies hire professionals to monitor and check your office or home if the system is tripped. Get up to 3 free quotes from local security companies, and ask about their services You can now buy wireless cameras from your nearest electronics store and track the feed in real time from an app on your smartphone remotely thanks to the advancement in smart technology. Attach them to the motion tracker, so that you are automatically alerted to any suspicious movement in your house. 

Secure windows and doors

Of course, one of the oldest methods of securing your home when traveling is to check and lock windows and doors. Always double-check them before leaving. Also, dropping the windows’ curtains is a great idea if you don’t wish any unwelcome guest to take a peek into your home. Take the time to do some inspection in your own home to make sure there are no defective or missing locks in doors or windows, make sure the windows can be unlocked to ensure the deadlocks, bolts and other security systems are all in good order, and you've got the keys to it. Replace any locks that look old, frail or are not very effective. 

Use light timers

Setting lights on a timer gives off the impression that someone is home. Your home is less likely to be robbed if the perpetrator thinks your home is attended. Keep old boots and shoes at the front door to make it look like somebody is visiting. If you can, change your old  lightbulbs and instal new smart LEDs which can be switched on and off remotely via an app on your computer. At night switch the lights on to make it look like the house has people in it. Set timers for sporadically appearing on radios or televisions too..  

Tidy the garden before departure

Cleaning the garden before you leave will leave the impression that there’s someone home. It might not be a full-proof solution for you home, but it might make a couple of thieves try their luck somewhere else. 

Keep your valuables in a safe place

It’s always a great idea to have a place where you can keep all your goods. This is important, especially when going away for a long period of time. It doesn’t have to be safe (although highly recommended) – hidden in a secret compartment or some place where nobody would think to look can be a good idea. 

We at service.com.au recommend that you hire Security, Alarms & Surveillance professionals to look at your property to make it safe before you leave for holiday. Get free no obligation quotes today from our local security companies today!