Embarking upon a long holiday comes with its fair share of prep work. You will be busy booking tickets, planning day trips, deciding what you will need to bring, etc. While being preoccupied by all this, the one thing many might not think about, or at least not until the last minute, is how to prepare your home before going on a long holiday.
There is plenty that needs to be done, checked and organised, after all, it’s certainly not advisable to just head out the door for a month without much of a second thought. So, to guide you along, we’ve assembled a list of things to be done to make sure your home is the way you left it once you return.
Security and Home Maintenance
Statistics show that if your home is occupied while you are away, there is little chance of it being burgled. Many insurance companies prefer it if you have a house sitter because the home never looks unattended or vacant.
Ask a favour from a friend or trusted neighbour…
To keep the garden neat and tidy which gives the home a lived-in feel
Bring in your mail and forward it to you if that is needed
Put out the rubbish each week
Provide security for your home and contents just by being there
Timing is everything
With the rise of the internet come advancements in smart home technology. Numerous appliances can now be controlled remotely from your smartphone, and home lighting is no exception.
Smart lighting enables you to switch your lights on from your mobile whilst you are sipping on a cocktail on the beach. This is a great investment and allows you to take control of your lighting and give the illusion of someone being at home whilst you are enjoying your time away. It is also possible to receive a live video stream from your security cameras using the same technology, keeping you connected from wherever you are.
Arm your alarm
Arm your security system and distribute codes appropriately: Your home security system exists for exactly this circumstance. Make sure that you arm your system and give codes to anyone coming to mind your pets or perform errands for you while you are away. Also, don’t forget to alert your monitoring company that you will be away so that they are fully prepared to assist you with home security while on vacation.
The availability of a key holder is crucial in the event of an alarm.
Our Control Centre will contact and request that the designated key holder come out to the premises in order to open the premises so that the armed response officer may perform an internal check of the premises after which the key holder and armed response officer may perform an internal check of the premises after which the key holder and armed response officer can perform an inspection of the premises and alarm system & equipment.
Don’t boast about your holiday plans on social media
Letting the Internet know all about your plans in advance (or posting photos of your trip while you’re out of town) can serve as an open invitation to thieves looking for an empty house.
Don’t leave convenient break-and-enter tools in an unlocked garden shed
If your home has a little storage shed out back, lock it up. Otherwise, you may inadvertently make it easier for a thief by supplying them with a handy hammer, axe or crowbar that you’ve left behind in your unsecured shed.
Check your household insurance
Make sure you have the cover you need and that it remains valid while you are away. While buying an adequate level of cover for your possessions may seem obvious, are there any exclusions in your policy that could render it void if, for instance, you are away from home for more than a certain number of days? What about if you let a house-sitter live in your home to look after pets? Should you notify the insurer? Are you covered if a non-family member stays in your home?
Of course, taking steps to secure your house can make a big difference. However, if the worst happens, you need to be prepared!
