Get into a pre-holiday routine
Prevent opportunities for burglars to target your home while you are on holiday.
Returning home from a holiday to find out that your home has been burgled would be both upsetting and stressful.
That is why you need to think about the security of your home and the items in it before you go on holiday.
Contents and buildings insurance
Make sure you have up-to-date contents and buildings insurance – and remember, most policies only cover burglary claims on an unoccupied home if there are signs of forced entry.
Tips to keep your home safe while you are away
- Make sure good quality locks or bolts are fitted to all outside doors
- Lock all doors and windows and put the keys in a safe place when you leave the house. Do not leave keys under a plant pot.
- If you have a burglar alarm, ensure it is set before you leave.
- Make sure any video doorbells are fully charged and operating before you leave.
- Use timer plugs with lamps to make your house seem occupied. You can also get photosensitive bulbs, which are activated when it gets dark.
- Remove valuables, such as laptops and jewellery, from open view and consider marking your valuables with an approved product.
- Consider storing any high-value items you are not taking with you in an insurance-accredited, fire-rated safe, or consider using a safety deposit vault.
- Never post statuses or comments on social media about you going or being on holiday.
- Consider cutting the lawn and hedges before you leave, so it does not look unkempt.
- Put away any tools or gardening equipment, as they could help burglars break in.
Neighbourhood Watch Scheme
We have been committed to supporting Neighbourhood Watch throughout our force since its introduction in 1982.
Our local Neighbourhood Watch Schemes can help when you are on holiday by increasing the surveillance of your property and encouraging neighbours to report suspicious activity.
Find out more about Neighbourhood Watch.