Going away this summer? Burglars are targeting your house and outbuildings at this time of year. Because the majority of burglaries occur when no one is at home, owners being away is an ideal opportunity for thieves to attack. Homes with no security measures are significantly more likely to be burgled than those with even the most basic security measures. The thieves want to get in and out of your house as soon as possible, so whatever you can do to slow them down will help. The weeks leading up to your summer vacation might be hectic with packing, planning, and preparing, but one of the most critical plans you can make is to keep your home safe from break-ins.

Make sure your windows and doors are closed & locked

The majority of burglars get access to a home through a door, either by pushing the lock or kicking it open. Therefore, whatever you can do to improve the security of your doors will help prevent your home from being broken into. Sliding glass doors need to be handled as well. Most robbers will avoid smashing them since they make a lot of noise; instead, place a sawed-off broom handle or other long piece of wood in the door’s track to prevent it from being opened.

While the majority of burglars enter through the front door, many also enter through windows, especially those that are left unlocked. Before leaving on vacation, double-check that all of your windows, especially those that are easily accessible, have locks and are locked.

Make your house appear to be occupied

Make sure your home appears occupied while you’re away. Before you leave, purchase an automatic device that can be programmed to turn on lights, television, and radio at predetermined times to give the appearance that someone is at home.Also, make sure you’ve cancelled your newspaper and other deliveries for the time you’ll be gone, or have a close neighbour or friend take care of them for you.

Don’t offer easy access to burglars

Make it difficult for intruders to gain access. Make sure that all stools, tools, ladders, spare bricks, and other items are placed out of sight, as a burglar may be more inclined to target your home if you leave tools lying around that make it simpler for them to break in. Keep your hedges trimmed (don’t give criminals a place to hide) and put loose pebbles and stones on your property to generate noise when the thief approaches.

Another smart suggestion is to turn down the volume on your landline phone and set your voicemail to pick up after only one or two rings. This way, criminals scoping out your home won’t be able to determine that no one is home because no one is answering the phone.

Make sure your house has a prominent and legible street number. This assures you that if your property is targeted, responding police officers will be able to quickly and easily locate your residence. Burglars will be less likely to target your home as a result of this.

Keep your valuables hidden

Make sure that all of your valuables are hidden. Your big screen television and your new laptop or tablet should not be seen from the street or from the window of your first-floor office. If a burglar manages to get access to your home, you’ll want to make it as difficult as possible for them to locate your belongings. Small valuables should be kept in a safe that is bolted down.

Who should be told and who should not be told?

Don’t invite robbers into your home by telling the wrong individuals you’ll be gone for the summer. Even if you think you know your network, don’t use social media to let everyone know you’ll be gone. This data might easily end up in the wrong hands. Don’t post live updates or photos from your summer vacation while you’re away. Instead, update your profiles when you get back.

Notify your immediate neighbours that you’ll be gone so that they can keep an eye on your house while you’re gone. You can also call your local police agency to let them know you’ll be gone. Tell your local neighbourhood watch organisation as well; this will offer you peace of mind that someone is looking after your home and property while you’re away.

Switch on your security system

Before you go on your summer vacation, double-check that your security system is properly programmed and turned on. Burglars are less likely to break into a home with a security system, according to studies, especially if your security system is publicised to would-be burglars by placards in windows and other means. Don’t be tempted to use stock, fake security system indicators since they signal to crooks that you don’t have a robust security system.

Secure your outbuildings

Not only should you consider protecting your home before your summer vacation, but also any outbuildings on your property. Install a sturdy lock on the door and any windows to keep criminals out of your shed and other outbuildings. Cover any valuables so they are out of sight and mark your stuff with your name and postcode to avoid having your belongings stolen. Consider relocating any very precious goods, like pricey tools or bicycles, to the main house, which is safer. Shed alarms that respond to movement with a loud siren are also available.

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. Let Ultimate Alarms install a monitored security system for you to deliver professional levels of protection in Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire & Dunbartonshire. Call us for more information.