The summer holiday season is unfortunately also peak season for residential burglaries. An unoccupied home for a week or two presents an attractive opportunity for opportunistic thieves, particularly if it’s obvious that nobody is home. The good news is that a few simple precautions can significantly reduce your risk. Here’s our expert guide to keeping your home secure while you’re away.
Check Your Locks for Home Security Before You Leave
Before you depart, take a few minutes to check every entry point in the house. Ensure all doors and windows are locked, including the front door, side gates, and any outbuildings, garages, or garden gates, as these are common entry points and weak spots. Lock away any tools so they do not give intruders easy access or help them break in. If any of your locks are worn, stiff, or not functioning correctly, get them repaired or replaced before you go for added protection, and remove any hidden spare key rather than leaving a way in. Our domestic locksmith service can carry out a quick pre-holiday security check and address any issues on the same visit to help protect against a break.
Don’t Advertise Your Absence on Social Media
It’s tempting to share holiday photos in real time, but broadcasting your absence on social media during a trip is a significant security risk. Save the holiday snaps for when you’re home, and be mindful of your privacy settings — even a “friends only” post can reach a wider audience than you might think, so limit updates to close friends and family to avoid unwanted attention.
Use Timer Plugs to Simulate Occupancy
A home that looks occupied is far less likely to be targeted. If you share updates during your trip, remember that homeowners get more peace of mind by avoiding real-time signals that the place is empty. Set timer plugs on lamps in different rooms or use timer switches to vary lighting at realistic times — not just at the same time every evening. If you have a smart home security system, you can control lights remotely from your phone, pair it with cctv cameras or a video doorbell, and get alerts to suspicious activity through connected systems and other security systems for a more convincing effect. Keep privacy settings tight and limit updates to close friends and family to avoid unwanted attention.
Ask a Trusted Neighbour to Keep an Eye Out
A trusted neighbour is one of your best security assets. Ask a neighbour or family member to collect any mail or parcels that arrive, pause regular deliveries, and give them controlled access if they need to check inside or water plants. If possible, have a trusted friend park a car in the driveway, and ask a family member to report anything suspicious. In return, offer to do the same for them. This kind of mutual vigilance is at the heart of effective Neighbourhood Watch schemes.
Don’t Leave Valuables Visible
Ensure that valuable items such as laptops, tablets, jewellery, and cash are stored out of sight to protect your home — ideally in a safe or locked drawer. Visible expensive items can attract unwanted attention through windows even when you’re at home, and the risk is heightened when the property is unoccupied.
If possible, ask a trusted neighbour, trusted friend, or family member to keep an eye on the property while you are away, with any access limited to agreed checks. They can collect post, parcels, and mail, as mail piling up signals that no one is home. It also helps to cancel regular deliveries while you are away. If practical, having a car on the driveway can help the property look occupied.
Consider Upgrading Your Locks Before Going on Holiday
If your locks are more than a few years old or don’t meet current British Standards, a pre-holiday lock upgrade is a worthwhile investment, and it’s also smart for home safety to store expensive items and other valuable items out of sight, review your home insurance and insurance documents, double check what is covered, and confirm whether outbuildings, a burst pipe, or any notice requirements are included before you go. Anti-snap, anti-drill cylinders provide significantly better protection than standard euro cylinders and are a strong deterrent to would-be burglars, while visible belongings can draw unwanted attention. KMG Locksmiths can supply and fit upgraded locks across Skelmersdale, Ormskirk, Chorley, and the wider North West, and before you leave it’s sensible to turn off the water supply if appropriate, test smoke alarms, unplug non essential electrical items, and keep flammable materials clear of plug sockets. Contact us today to book a pre-holiday security check.