Away for the summer? Make sure to keep your residence safe
Away for the summer? Make sure to keep your residence safe
According to ONS, did you know that over 60% of burglars gain entry through the front door?
Particularly when you’re about to go on holiday and are more focused on making sure you’ve packed everything than on your home’s security, your home is vulnerable to opportunists who are looking to take advantage of lax safety measures.
In fact, the average burglar steals £2,856 in goods and causes £1,415 of damage. Can you imagine how these figures might dramatically increase in a higher value home?
With our key tips below on how to keep your high-value home safe and secure, you can enjoy your holiday-stress free, knowing you’ve taken all the right precautions.
- Don’t hide any keys outside
Astonishingly, 1 in 10 burglars gained access through an unlocked front door.1 Minimise this happening to your home by avoiding keeping any keys outside. It’s worth bearing in mind that an experienced burglar will have seen all manner of hiding places – including the really creative ones!
- Don’t rely on just one form of security
While intruder alarms are helpful, a police response isn’t guaranteed.2 Instead of relying solely on one security measure, different elements will your home’s security more robust. Consider adding a motion sensor and a video doorbell that can connect to your phone – that way, you can remotely monitor the goings-on from wherever you are in the world.
- Create the illusion of a lived-in home
Opportunists look for properties that look empty, which is why it’s so important your home looks lived-in – even while you’re away. If possible, ask a neighbour to park their car in front of your drive, collect any mail, and put your bin out for you. Linking back to the previous point, consider using a timer so that you can switch on a few lights remotely to make it looks as though someone’s home.
- Be social media savvy
More and more intruders are gaining entry into people’s homes after learning the property is vacant through social media. Though you might not think twice about posting about your holiday to social media, remember that doing so broadcasts the fact that you’re not at home and won’t be for a while. Particularly if your account isn’t private, it’s important to think about what could happen if the wrong people read your social media posts.
- Damage from water and fire
Of course, it’s not just intruders that cause damage to vacant properties. Particularly if you’re away for an extended period of time, your home is vulnerable to damage caused from a burst water pipe (especially if you’re gone for the winter) or a fire erupting from faulty wiring or poorly maintained heating. Before you go away, make sure a professional has thoroughly checked that there are no such issues.
You can take all the precautions in the world, but accidents can and do happen. And, when they do, it’s important that you have cover to fall back on – the last thing you’d want is to return from your trip to find that your home’s been broken into and you’ve not got any protection in place.
Contact James & Lindsay today for quality high-value home insurance that’s there for you when you really need it. We will go above and beyond to ensure you have the right protection for you and your families lifestyle.