At a glance
Here are 10 tips for protecting your home from unwanted visitors during a long absence, such as during the holidays.
When you go away for a (long) stay, it's important to give the impression that the house is occupied.
10 tips for protecting your home during your holidays
- Have your letterbox emptied by someone you trust.
- Have someone raise and lower your blinds, or open and close your shutters.
- Use a timer switch that turns one or another indoor lamp on and off.
- If you're away for a long time: have your lawn mowed while you're gone.
- Don't leave ladders lying around outside, or any object that would make it easy to break in.
- Make sure doors and windows are properly closed, even upstairs.
- Don't leave valuable items on display behind windows, and put your jewellery and money somewhere safe.
- Ask trusted people in your neighbourhood to keep an eye on any comings and goings around your property, and give them your contact details so they can reach you in an emergency.
- Check with your local police service whether they can arrange patrols to watch over your home.
- Don't announce your absence or your holiday plans on social media that anyone can see: ill-intentioned surfers could take advantage of it!
- ... and one last little tip (as a bonus): take a photo of your valuables before you leave. In the event of theft, these photos will make it easier to file a report and carry out the investigation.
Also read our article: How to foil a burglary?
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