Holiday Security

Holiday Security

It’s that time of year again when we are all getting excited about our upcoming holidays. However, it is also a time to think about security while we are away, both for our homes and our holiday locations.

So let’s have a reminder of some basics for our home.

1. Make sure a neighbour puts your bins out and brings them in on the usual days. Nothing screams empty house more than bins out front days after the bin men have been.
2. If you trust someone enough, let them operate blinds and curtains for you.
3. Virtual assistants can be programmed to switch lights and other devices on and off at various times giving the impression that someone is home (don’t forget daytimes as burglars do just as much during the day).
4. Decent door cams will capture anyone checking out your property within their view. And you can watch in real time from your holiday location. Interior cameras are cheap and easy to install these days so you can trust someone to do those curtains and keep an eye on them when they do so they don’t get tempted to nose through your belongings.

And a few helpers for while you are away.

1. If you are driving somewhere, take both car keys and leave one at your holiday destination when you go out. That way, when you lose your key in the water, on a long walk, or shut it in the boot, you won’t have to spend a large part of your holiday budget paying a locksmith to get you out of trouble.
2. Put wallets, valuables, etc, in a different pocket than you normally would. This way you are more likely to feel it when a pick pocket attempts to take something. I have first hand experience that this works.
3. While walking with bags, keep the strap on the shoulder furthest from the road to avoid scooter grabs.
4. Carrying valuables in a cross body bag across your front may not be flattering, but it makes life just a bit more difficult for those trying to steal.
5. Like your designer goods? So do thieves. The more you advertise your commitment to big labels, the more you tell snatchers the risk of picking your pocket or snatching your bag will be worth it. It’s not worth it and less people than you think agree that you look cool over ridiculous.
6. Phones are the easiest grab, so beware if you are walking along using Google Maps to find your restaurant. Watch out for opportunists.
7. Take apartment keys with you. Many people leave dial keysafes on the number that opens them. It doesn’t take thieves a lot of effort to learn the codes and most owners do not change codes often enough. Leaving your keys in the keysafe while you are out might seem sensible to avoid accidental loss, but you might as well leave the door unlocked.

Be safe on your holidays!

Thanks for reading