How to keep your home secure while on holiday

With Easter approaching, we know that many of you will be planning on going on extended holidays with your families. Beautiful, architecturally unique homes can sometimes be targeted by opportunistic criminals when it is obvious that you are not home. The trick is: make your home look lived in while you are away.

We want you to be able to relax on you holiday knowing that your home is safe, so we have put together some easy ways you can achieve this lived-look for when you are next away.

1. Consider smart lighting systems

A dark house at night screams to people that you’re not home. Lighting timers are one of the simplest ways to protect your home and have been used for decades. Advancements in smart home technologies mean that you can even set lighting schedules from your phone and vary them from day to day for added authenticity.

2. Invest in lockable gates and keypad locks

Your gates are your first line of defense while you are away. If your property is difficult to access by someone without the key or code, it is likely to stay secure even in your absence. There are some very sophisticated lock systems available now that can even send you a message when they have been locked and unlocked as well as be able to ‘dead bolt’ while you are away.

3. Install exterior sensor lighting and cameras

Not only is sensor lighting useful for everyday convenience, but it also acts as a great deterrent for break-ins while you are away. It is likely to spook burglars approaching your property as well as bring any unusual activity to your neighbours’ attention.

Home security cameras are also an excellent tool to use as a deterrent as burglars are more wary of properties with visible security cameras. Nowadays you can install security cameras that feed a live stream directly to your phone where you can be alerted via notification when movement is detected in and around your property.

4. Have a neighbour help you out

Speaking of neighbours, it is always a good idea to find at least one neighbour you can count on. They can usually help by doing small things like bringing the bins in from the curb or collecting any parcels that arrive on your doorstep. When left undone, these things are surefire ways to undo all the previous preparation you have put into making your home look lived in when it’s not.

5. Prepare your landscaping

If you are planning on taking a longer holiday, it might be worthwhile to either mow your lawn right before you leave or arrange for someone to come do it while you are gone. If your lawn is starting to look a little long before you leave, it will only get more unruly while you are away which could attract attention. Another option that many people find useful is to investigate low maintenance gardens that remain well-kept even after an extended time away.

A little forward planning goes a long way in ensuring your home remains secure while you are on holiday. Many of these methods can be integrated in the planning stage or added at any time. Happy travels from the team at Rycon! 

With 20 years of experience, RYCON can help you get started, no matter where you are in the planning process. Contact us on (07) 3899 6355 for a complimentary consultation.