Keeping Your Property Safe While You’re on Holiday

Heading away for a well-deserved break? Taking a few simple precautions before you leave can go a long way in protecting your property and ensuring peace of mind while you are away.

Secure Your Home Thoroughly

Before departing, conduct a full walk-through of your property to ensure that all doors, windows, security gates, and garage doors are securely locked. Sliding doors can be reinforced with a wooden or metal bar placed inside the track for extra security.

Notify your security company and trusted neighbours or family members of your travel plans and the duration of your absence. Provide emergency contact details and consider leaving a spare key with someone you trust should access to the property become necessary.

Valuable items such as jewellery, cash, important documents, and small electronics should be stored in a secure safe or hidden safely out of view from windows or anyone passing by.

Avoid posting travel plans or real-time location updates on social media until after you return home, as public posts can unintentionally alert opportunistic criminals that your home is vacant.

Review Your Insurance Cover

Before leaving, verify that your home and contents insurance policies are fully active and up to date. Ensure that premiums are paid and that you understand the extent of your cover in case of theft, water damage, or other unforeseen incidents while you are away.

Tidy Up the Exterior

Remove or store away garden tools, ladders, or loose items that could be used to gain entry to your home. Arrange for the post box to be emptied, and ensure the lawn or garden is maintained so the property does not appear unoccupied.

Create a “Lived-In” Look

Set timers on lights, radios, or televisions to switch on and off at different times throughout the day to simulate normal activity inside the house.

Ask a neighbour or friend to collect mail or parcels to prevent items from piling up visibly. If possible, leave a vehicle parked in the driveway or arrange for a neighbour to use the space occasionally — a small detail that helps suggest the home is occupied.

Ensure regular garden maintenance continues or make use of an automated irrigation system so your property remains neat and cared for during your absence.

Utilities and Basic Maintenance

Unplug non-essential electronic appliances, including televisions, toasters, and computers, to reduce the risk of electrical surges and potential fire hazards.

Turn off the main water supply to prevent possible water damage caused by leaks or burst pipes while you are away. Switching off the geyser not only limits risk but also saves electricity.

Remove all refuse and empty the fridge of perishables to avoid unpleasant odours or pest problems upon your return.

Test your alarm system, motion sensors, and security cameras to ensure everything is functioning correctly and that battery backups are working properly in the event of power outages.