Your summer holiday is the highlight of the year for most people but it is important to take steps to secure your home against burglars while you’re away so you don’t return to a nasty surprise.

Your pre-holiday checklist should consist of more than passport, tickets, sunscreen and swimming trunks…

One of the most important tasks that most of us ignore: making sure your house is secure while you’re away. It doesn’t matter whether you’re going to visit relatives in Inverness for the weekend or two weeks sunbathing in Tenerife, always take precautions when leaving your property unattended.

Research indicates that there is one break-in every minute in Britain and that over half a million homes have been broken into while their owners were on holiday.

By announcing that our homes are vacant, many of us unintentionally make it easier for crooks. In light of this, we’ve come up with some tips on how to get your house ready before you go.

Don’t livestream your holiday

We’re all social media addicts, but a seemingly benign beach photo could have disastrous effects on your home security. Tech-savvy burglars may see into your life, including where you’ve been recently and when you’re on vacation, by using social media sites like Facebook and Instagram. Wait until you are back home to post any vacation photos and try not to promote your location on social media. Set your channels to private if you really can’t help yourself.

Enlist neighbours, friends, relatives

It could be clear that your property is empty if you are gone for more than a few days. Getting a neighbour, friend, or family member to call in occasionally is a simple solution to this problem. If you’re gone for a while, having someone close the curtains, put the trash out, or even mow the grass will give the impression that someone is coming and going.

Close and lock all windows and doors

Make sure all windows and doors are locked before you leave, and take the keys out of any locks that are visible to intruders. These straightforward security precautions are easy to miss, yet they are essential to keeping your house secure. It’s also important to keep in mind that additional security devices for windows and doors, such as letter plate restrictors and deadbolts, can be installed for the utmost piece of mind.

Consider home CCTV installation

Thanks to wireless technology, security cameras for both interior and outdoor use are far more economical than they formerly were and are easy to install. Modern video systems also let you use your favourite smart device to check in while you’re away.

Get a monitored alarm professionally installed

A monitored alarm means that you need never have to worry about always being able to check your security system personally. You can relax in the knowledge that trained operatives at a state-of-the-art Alarm Receiving Centre oversee and respond appropriately to any alarm activations. Optional personal panic alarms and medical alert fobs mean that not just your property is protected but also your family members. Call on Ultimate Alarms to install a monitored security system for you to deliver professional levels of protection in Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire & Dunbartonshire.