Christmas is approaching, and you might be going away on a holiday to spend some time with your friends or family. However, the Christmas period is a peak time for burglary. The last thing you want to come home to is a burgled house. Here are some of our best tips on how to secure your home over your holiday:
Home Security System
If you don’t already have a home security system, you should really consider installing one. Some security systems alert you immediately when something is happening, and some systems even feature surveillance cameras that you can access from your phone.
If you already have an alarm system installed, test it to make sure it’s working properly. If the batteries in the sensors are older than two years, this could be a good time to replace them. If your alarm has a loud noise, it’s likely that the thieves leave the house before they’ve even had a chance to get hold of anything.
Advertise your security
Post stickers near your most obvious and accessible entrances of your house. This will detect burglar. There are even stickers that you can buy if you haven’t had time to implement your security system before going away.
Install an outdoor sensor light
Security lighting is an effective way to deter burglars. Having motion-sensor lights is useful for home security all year round, whether you are home or not. These can often be installed so that they turn on and off at certain times of the day.
Consider using a power adapter with a built-in timer
Use timers and set them to turn on and off the lights (both indoors and outdoors) at different times during the evening. This will give the impression that someone is home. Nowadays there are even smartphone apps that let you control the lights from your phone.
Keep track of all your house keys
Don’t leave spare keys visible inside your home. Put them in a well-hidden location or give them to someone you trust, like a family member or a close friend. If you have hidden a spare key somewhere in the garden, under a rock or under a mat, make sure to bring this inside as well. If a burglar would find your keys, he or she might change all your locks, and if you have left your car key and have your car parked in the garage it is very likely to be stolen.
Have someone you trust to look after your house
If you have given a key to a friend or family member, you can ask them to look after your house while you’re away. You could for example ask them to stop by your house to water your flowers, and to bring in the mail. A fully stuffed mailbox is a clear sign that you’re not home. If you don’t have anyone to bring in the mail for you, you should fill out a mail-hold form and contact your newspaper service to stop deliveries.
Make sure all your doors and windows are secured
Make sure you have good locks on windows and other easy access points. Use deadbolts on your doors so you can lock them from the inside. If you have sliding windows or doors, place something in the track so that even if they would manage to unlock them, they still can’t slide them open.
Disconnect your garage door
Thieves, especially experienced ones, can easily hack your technology. If you have an automatic garage door opener, you should consider turning its power off when going away. These doors can sometimes be opened by universal remotes, which makes it easy for thieves to access your garage. And if they can get inside your attached garage, they can then try to enter your home in privacy. This is one of the main reasons why you should use a manual lock while you’re away.
Don’t share things about your holiday on social media
Letting internet know about your trip is an open invitation for burglars to target your home. Posting current updates on your social media accounts while you’re away gives burglars time to plan and execute a robbery of your house, and posting details of your upcoming plans will give them even more time to plan a robbery. Even if you have a private account, you should never assume that your posts reach only your friends. Wait until you get home and then post your pictures.
Hire an Auckland Electrician
Your house is probably your most valuable asset, and you don’t want anything to happen to it. You definitely don’t want to lose all your assets inside the house. It might therefore be worth considering hiring an expert to help you secure your house from burglars. Whether you want to install a security system, sensor lights or other security things, the team at Northern Lights has you covered. Our team consists of some of the best electricians in Auckland, and we offer fully insured residential, commercial and industrial electrical services all across Auckland. We provide 24/7 service and free no-obligation quotes. Contact your domestic electrician Auckland today!
