If you’re lucky enough to have a holiday in the sun planned for this winter then yes, we’re envious! But just to make sure you relax totally while you’re away, have you thought about how you’re going to make sure your home is safe from burglars and other domestic disasters?
Yes, you can buy all kinds of Smart cameras and burglar alarms – some of which you can access from abroad. But there are less expensive methods of making sure all is hunky dory at home while you’re away too. And here are some of those ideas:
Stay away from social media
It can be tempting to upload photos of you and your other half sunning yourselves on the beach in December or January. But try to resist – especially if your home is empty as that’s practically inviting burglars round.
Check your insurance
If you’re going to be away for three weeks to a month then check with your contents insurance company that you’re insured for the break. And talking of insurance, in a recent survey Co-Op insurance said that in recent years they’ve seen a 34 per cent increase in theft claims over the winter months.
Get a friend to pop round
Getting a pal or neighbour to regularly visit your property – even if just for 15 mins or so at different times of the day will help put your mind at rest. It will also show the house is occupied and not lying empty all the time.
Get a pet sitter
If you have a dog or cat (or both) and don’t want to put him or her into kennels then you might consider getting in a pet sitter. There are various online sites, such as Trusted House sitters, where sitters pay to register and the site itself checks all references. This would only cost you the joining fee for the site (as the sitting is free in return for accommodation). It would mean there’d always be someone in your house to deter a potential burglar – both during the day and at night.
Set light timer switches
It’s an old trick but a good one. Setting a light timer means the burglar doesn’t know if it’s you or a timer that’s put the lights on. And it’s another way of making the house look as if it’s occupied at night. An easier method is to buy photosensitive bulbs which simply switch light up when it starts to get dark.
Join your local Neighbourhood Watch
Not only will you have a sticker to advertise the fact your home is part of a local house look-out scheme, but members really will check on your home while you’re away if you ask them.
Cancel your post
Nothing says ‘unoccupied house’ more than a pile of envelopes at the other side of a glass door. Or worse still, a flyer for the local Indian take-away sticking out of your letter box for days on end (and is where having a friend or neighbour pop round really helps). By the same token, cancel other deliveries such as newspapers and your veg box.
Anything we can help with? Contact the team today on 0333 577 0733 or drop us an email to info@iSellproperties.co.uk.
