Securing Your Home: Essential Tips for Protecting Your Property While Away

Securing Your Home: Essential Tips for Protecting Your Property While Away

With summer here, most homeowners are starting to think about vacations and longer periods away from their homes. For those with an empty nest, leaving a home unoccupied can make it a prime target for break-ins. To address this danger, security experts suggest taking a number of important security steps. From home alarm systems to simple organizational tips, there are effective strategies to ensure properties remain safe while owners are away.

Home alarm units are graded one to four, with the four’s having the highest level of security features. Grade two systems would work beautifully for the majority of homes. They arrive installed with advanced motion detector sensors that quickly and effectively patrol beyond the property lines. Accrediting these alarms is a critical first step. Ensure that they are certified by industry leading bodies such as the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) or the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) to confirm trustworthiness and adherence to industry standards.

Securing Your Property with Alarm Systems

Investing in a home alarm system is one of the most important things you can do to protect a home while you’re not there. With additional components, most alarm systems can warn both the homeowner and the neighborhood when someone tries to break in, scaring away potential intruders and raising alarm. Alarm systems are fantastically effective. Figures reveal that one in four homes have suffered from attempts to break into garden outbuildings or sheds.

Battery-operated shed alarms can be purchased online for a very modest investment of £20 – £30. Homeowners must inform their home insurance providers if they intend to leave their homes unoccupied for more than 4 weeks. Most policies explicitly exclude homes that are empty for 30 days or more.

“[The insurance company] may offer an unoccupied home policy or suggest specific conditions, such as arranging for someone to check in periodically.” – Alex Parker-Walklate

Now more than ever, it is critical that homeowners do everything in their power to make sure their alarm systems are properly cared for and placed. IOT SYSTEMS TO THE HOME NETWORK Alex Parker-Walklate Secure connections are crucial for intelligent systems

Practical Measures to Deter Burglars

Beyond just getting alarm installations, homeowners can do some simple things to more effectively discourage would-be burglars from even trying to break in. As Jonathan Cracknell of Aviva points out, clean, well-kept environments can go a long way in making people feel safe. By keeping tools and outdoor equipment organized and stored away, homeowners reduce the risk of providing burglars with potential tools for break-ins.

Plus, storing car keys out of sight—including in a locked glove box or with the homeowner when they enter the house—can stop a car thief in their tracks. Whatever you do, don’t make a spare key outside! Instead, go with a key safe for a more secure option.

“Spare keys should only be left with a friend, relative or trusted neighbour. If you need to keep a spare key nearby, consider using a secure key safe instead of hiding it.” – Jonathan Cracknell

Homeowners need to be aware of what they are posting on social media sites around the holidays. We’re increasingly aware that posting pictures of your vacation while your house is empty can unintentionally alert bad actors that your property is ripe for the picking.

The Importance of Community Vigilance

Community vigilance with regard to crime and home protection has a long history in enhancing home security. Homeowners are advised to know and be in contact with trustworthy neighbors who will look out for their residences while they’re away. Edouard Rekko of Verisure suggests appointing a trusted individual to enter the home if something out of the ordinary happens.

“If something suspicious happens, you’ll need a neighbour or friend nearby to check in since police often require an on-the-ground report before taking action – especially if the intruders have already left.” – Edouard Rekko

Neighbors working together
There’s no better deterrent to crime than tough, cohesive neighborhoods. They can provide a helping hand when people are outside their place of residence. This active partnership creates an additional crime deterrence and can alert law enforcement to any suspicious activity in real-time.

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