Bags packed… check! Travel documents… check! Keeping your home secure…

 

Summer is upon us and with Covid rules relaxing our thoughts are turning to sunnier climates and a week or two away from it all. There is no doubt that we Brits like our holidays, in a recent study by ADTA ,61% of us said we plan to go abroad within the next year. Even if a staycation is more your thing, and there are an abundance of beautiful spots in the UK. After a testing couple of years, I think we can safely say we all deserve some well-earned R&R.

There’s always plenty to think about when planning a holiday, but securing your home (above and beyond closing the windows, locking the doors and setting the alarm) is one of the things that often falls towards the bottom of the list.

 

Here are my top tips for protecting your home whilst you’re on holiday:

  • Consider if your home’s security measures are adequate. Gates, security lighting, alarms and CCTV all help to protect your home and act as a deterrent.
  • As tempting as it is, don’t publicise your holiday on social media or the internet as this lets potential thieves know that your home will be empty.
  • Ask a friend or neighbour to put away rubbish bins, collect post and pick up junk mail left in your letter box. Royal Mail also provides a service called Keepsafe that holds letters and parcels for up to 66 days. Prices for this service start at £16.50 for 10 days.
  • Don’t leave valuable items, such as a TV or laptop, in view from windows. If you have a safe, use it!
  • Utilise automatic timer switches to turn on lights and a TV or radio at pre-set or random times.
  • Make sure to keep any outside tools locked up, and ensure your garage and shed are fitted with proper locks. Thieves may attempt to use your own tools to break into your home.
  • Perform a final safety inspection before leaving for your holiday by walking around your home to double-check that everything is safe and burglar-proof.

It is also important to think about fire safety at your home, even if you won’t be there. Did you know that 15% of fires in 2020/21 were caused by faulty appliances & leads*?

 

Here are some more home safety tips:

  • Fit smoke detectors in prominent places on each floor of your home
  • Replace worn electric cables
  • Only use one plug per socket; use an extension lead if you need to fit more
  • Only purchase electrical appliances which have a British or European Safety mark
  • Gas appliances should be serviced regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer
  • Ensure mirrors are not reflecting sun rays onto something flammable e.g. soft furnishings

Last but certainly not least, it is important that you have the correct insurance cover in place should the worst happen. No one wants to have to make a claim, but having a policy that responds as you would expect is essential, especially during what can be a stressful time.

 

Our Private Client team are very experienced in all types of personal insurances so please get in touch if you’d like to discuss your insurance requirements.

* source gov.co.uk