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As Summer rolls around once more and the weather starts to warm up, it’s natural we’d be looking to make the most of the sunshine while it lasts. But whether we’re savouring a staycation or exploring sunlit Spanish sands, there’s a world of holiday home security tips to consider.
Here at ProFM Group, we’re all too aware of that, and as one of the UK’s leading security companies, we’re committed to offering guidance, support and advice for all aspects of safety when it comes to your vacant property. With our latest piece, we’ll be offering a range of practical tips for home security while you’re on holiday.
If you’re looking to secure your home while you’re on holiday, consider investing in light timers and a video doorbell, alongside minimising your social media use and moving valuables out of sight.
We’ve delved into more detail in our expert home security tips below.
It’s arguably the most basic of holiday home tips, but it’s one that a surprising number of people seemingly forget or neglect to do when going away. Statistics estimate that around a third of all burglaries take place because a door or ground-floor window was left unlocked or, in some cases, even slightly open.
We often assume we’re immune to these kinds of slips in judgment, but the truth of the matter is that they can (and often do) happen to even the most vigilant of people. We’ve explored the UK’s pressing issues with burglary in our comprehensive article, but suffice it to say it’s not a crime that’s confined to one area of the country.
The solution is simple in theory but much more difficult in practice. Always leave time – whether you’re dashing to catch a flight or driving down to the coast – to double and even triple check your windows, doors, and any other access points (like a cellar or balcony).
While this is a fantastic tip for home security while you’re on holiday, it’s also a good idea to do this before you leave the house for any prolonged period, such as heading to work or doing the shopping.
Check and double-check your doors and windows before heading out. Most modern windows also have a catch system, meaning you can still allow air to circulate in your home without putting you at unnecessary risk.
One of the more tried-and-tested measures in holiday home security, an intruder alarm system is specifically designed to protect your home from, as the name suggests, intruders. Traditionally, they operate using multiple sensors (usually in the top corner of the room for maximum visibility) that trigger an alarm if something is sensed.
Modern alarm systems have moved with the times, and many now offer the convenience we’ve come to expect from tech. That includes integration with smartphones, remote setting, and even alerts when the panel is deactivated – all essential considerations if you’re worried about home security while on holiday.
However, despite that shift to become more tech-savvy, recent surveys revealed that as high as 45% of homeowners don’t have some form of intruder or burglar alarm at their property. Many choose to avoid security measures entirely, including CCTV cameras, video doorbells, and other stereotypical safety equipment.
That’s a decision that we feel can often do more harm than good, particularly given the deterrent powers an alarm panel can have. This is the reason behind this tip’s inclusion so highly on our list of holiday home security tips – we feel an alarm system can only bring with it an additional level of safety, security and above all, peace of mind.
While we’d often assume this is reserved for fiction, it’s a scary truth that many people do opt to conceal a door key outside of, or close to, their property. Under a plant pot or doormat, behind a rock or bush, even in hanging baskets – there’s a worrying trend towards people leaving a key near the home.
None of these, as safe as they might seem, are safe. A determined burglar can and will find these spots, no matter how safe you may think they are, and you’re in a situation that’s difficult to recover from, especially if you’ve got compromised home security while you’re on holiday.
That’s especially true with home insurance – most policies won’t cover you if a burglar enters with a key you’ve left outside. That not only means you run the risk of both the financial and emotional turmoil associated with burglary, but it can also mean you’re in a tough spot when it comes to renewal.
We’d strongly advise avoiding a key outside your home, especially in the more obvious spots. If you have to (such as for an elderly resident’s property), invest in a coded lockbox that attaches to the outside of the home – these are robust and only allow access to those who have the right code.
A home security tip for the holidays that many don’t consider is one that could prove invaluable. We’re naturally going to let our family know that we’re going on holiday – if only to brag! – but it’s also a great idea to let any trusted neighbours know you’ll not be in, too.
Not only does this offer an additional pair of watchful eyes on your property while you’re away, but it’s also a great way to ensure that there’s an additional safety net for any electronic security measures you might have in place.
An alarm activation very rarely goes unnoticed, but with your neighbours on your side, you can rest assured that any disturbances will receive the right attention. Plus, if the worst does happen and you come home to find your belongings missing, your neighbours can offer valuable insights and witness testimonials.
One of the fastest-growing industries and now a common feature of most modern households, the video doorbell is a relatively recent trend, but it’s one that looks to be staying. Video doorbells often form an integral part of any holiday home security systems, especially in an era where we’re constantly connected via mobile data and WiFi.
In a nutshell, they offer a short clip whenever they detect someone approaching the doorbell and send that directly to your phone. You’re then able to see what’s triggered your camera by tapping on a notification – a much-needed convenience and a further reassurance of home security while you’re on holiday.
99% of the time, it’ll be nothing to be concerned about – a stray cat, a parcel delivery, or a car driving past can and often do trigger the mechanism. One of the most popular products on the market, the Ring Doorbell, for example, has a range of around 9 metres, meaning that it can pick up on most goings-on around your home.
However, if there’s a legitimate threat, you’ll get that same notification and be able to act accordingly, ensuring that your property stays safe. This can involve calling the police or ensuring that you’ve got the right measures in place to capture any evidence that you might need for the future.
When we’re away for any length of time, the signs will start to show. No activity in the main rooms of your household, closed curtains, and darkened windows are all hallmarks of someone being away from their home and can be an attractive prospect for a budding burglar.
There are simple home security tips for the holidays, however, and they don’t have to cost the Earth. Setting a timer for your lights is one such option and is arguably among the most effective ways to keep your home secure while you’re on holiday.
Investing in a small set of timers and setting lights (especially floor or table lamps) to come on for a few hours each evening – almost mirroring your usual patterns or movements when you’re home – gives a convincing impression that your property is occupied.
That, in turn, can help deter burglars and ensure that, even when you’re not around to protect it, your home remains fully secure. Statistics show that burglars are far less likely to target a property they believe is occupied, and creating that illusion is an ideal way to enjoy going on holiday without home security woes.
Of course, we’ve already touched upon the importance of ensuring any access points to your home (such as windows and doors) are fully locked and secured, but that should also extend to your outdoor areas, too.
That’s especially true for home security when you’re on holiday – gardens are more often than not out of sight and can be a goldmine for a brazen criminal.
Many people have garages and sheds, and more still have some form of outdoor storage that can present just as attractive a prospect to burglars as your home itself can. That’s not reserved for just children’s toys, either – garden furniture, bicycles, toolboxes and equipment are all commonly stored outside the home.
We’d strongly advise putting the same effort into locking up your garden as you do locking up your home. Not only does this stop you from losing things that are stored outdoors, but it also means that burglars can’t get access to something that might ultimately help them with their goals, like ladders and other tools.
While we might never set out to flaunt our wealth or material possessions, it’s all too easy to do this inadvertently. From smart speakers and digital photo frames on the mantelpiece to games consoles and tablets on the sofa, many of us have far more on display than we’d ever realise.
That’s not usually an issue, particularly when you’re already at home or you’ve gone out for routine tasks like work, school or shopping. When we’re going on holiday, home security takes on a whole new level of importance, and it’s crucial you shift these out of sight of prying eyes.
Tuck smaller tech (like tablet computers or controllers for games consoles) away from windows, and ensure that any smart speakers or Bluetooth devices like stereos are unplugged and out of the way.
Larger devices like televisions are more of a conundrum – they can’t be moved, but you should take them off standby or switch them off at the wall where possible to ensure there are no lights or accidental activation. Small steps like these seem basic on the surface, but they make a huge difference for home security while you’re on holiday or away for a while.
In an era where social media has become omnipresent, and it’s impossible to find someone who’s not had some exposure to the major social networks, there’s a tendency to want to post what we’re doing to our friends, family and acquaintances.
It’s only natural, but announcing your departure over socials is often an unconscious signal to any potential burglars, thieves or criminals. That’s especially true if you’ve got your profile set to publicly visible – you won’t know who’s looking at your activity until it’s potentially too late.
We’d urge you to keep your social media posts to a minimum when you’re jetting off, or set your profile to private to ensure that only the people you trust can see your holiday snaps.
While the recycling is often the last thing we’d be thinking about before jetting off for some time in the sun, it can be our downfall when it comes to home security while we’re on holiday. Our waste often reveals more about us than we’d ever realise, and cardboard boxes and containers are the biggest culprits.
Many of our biggest purchases – from televisions and tech to expensive furniture like bedframes and TV stands – are packaged in large boxes that can be difficult to store away. That can paint a target for criminals, especially those who are determined enough to keep track of your movements.
As a precautionary measure for security while on holiday, we’d advise shifting cardboard out of sight, even if it means storing it in your home temporarily. Not only does this combine well with the rest of the tips we’ve detailed, but it’ll also mean you’re not advertising your absence to any criminals who could be passing.
While all of our tips revolve around home security when you’re on holiday, we’re ideally poised to keep your business secured whenever you’re away, too. As one of the UK’s leading providers of security, ProFM have cultivated a stellar reputation for tailor-made, purpose-built security measures for a huge range of sectors.
From on-site security officers that are expertly trained to ensure round-the-clock security for your premises, through to sophisticated, AI-assisted security cameras that are programmed to send immediate alerts to our 24/7/365 Control Room, we have the ideal solutions no matter what you’re looking for.
Plus, with year-long coverage, we’re there to provide the security you need when you take that much-deserved break. Get in touch with our in-house experts today to discuss your options in greater detail and to receive your free, no-obligation quotation.
CCTV & Electronic Systems
Emily is responsible for business growth and account development via new sales. She leads the Business Development teams through strategic goals and objectives in line with business targets and strategy. Emily is a friendly, approachable and a respected senior manager at ProFM Group who always strives to deliver service excellence.
