Going on holiday this year? There is nothing more sucky than coming home from a well earned break to find your place burgled, and that awesome set of tools or flat screen gone.
An empty home is a prime target for intruders because they have less chance of being disturbed and the offence can go undetected for days or even weeks. Intruders always look for signs that a home is unoccupied. The longer the home is unoccupied, the more vulnerable it becomes.
These simple precautions will help deter burglars:
- I am lucky enough to have an incredibly helpful/nosey neighbour. Let your neighbours know when you are leaving, when you plan to return home and if you are expecting anybody at your house while you are away.
- Invest in a good alarm system. At the very least, buy one of those alarm company signs. Trademe is good for that.
- Have a neighbour pick up your mail and newspapers.
- Going away a while? Get someone to mow your lawns, it looks like someone is home, and you also won't be letting down the neighbourhood with your neglected lawns
- Leave lights on automatic timers.
- Ask a neighbour or friend to stop by your house periodically; have them open and close curtains.
- Burglars want easy access to your home. Make sure all trees near all doors and windows where burglars might hide. Add exterior lights and consider lights that are activated by motion sensors.
- Burglars like to work quickly, so try to slow down their path into and around the house. You can accomplish this with deadbolt locks, window locks, bars placed in the tracks or track locks on all sliding glass doors and windows, locks on all doors and windows
- Don't broadcast the fact that you'll be away on Twitter, Facebook, in your blog or anywhere else on the Internet.
- Don't hide your keys under the doormat.
- The last tip is a bit extreme but you will be happy you did it if the unfortunate happens. Go through each room and write down a list of possessions, including serial numbers. Take pictures of your valuables and keep them in a safe place. This will help you with your claim for insurance.