Peace of Mind While You’re Away
Here is some helpful advice from the local police.
Reply To: ecops.barhill@cambs.pnn.police.uk
Everyone needs a holiday some time, and however much you like your home, there’s nothing like a change of surroundings.
But you want to come home and find everything as you left it. Four out of five burglaries occur when a house or flat is empty; so don’t advertise that you’re away on holiday.
Plan Ahead
Use the checklist to help you keep your home secure. Read it and plan ahead, then tick off the items just before you go.
Help from your neighbours
It’s also a good idea to get help from your neighbours if they talk to you. All you have to do is ask a friend or neighbour to keep an eye on your home while away.
You could ask them to collect post left in the letterbox, and generally make the place look lived in. You can repay the favour by doing the same for them. Warn your key-holding neighbour not to put your surname, address or even your house number on your keys in case they fall into the wrong hands.
Neighbourhood watch
Is there a neighbourhood watch scheme where you live? It could help you keep your home secure while you’re away, and has many other Crime Prevention and community benefits.
Holiday Checklist
- Cut the lawn before you go.
- Arrange for pets to be properly looked after.
- Register your property on www.immobilise.com. If your property is then stolen and later recovered it would help police identify the rightful owner.
- Cancel deliveries of milk, newspapers etc, discreetly – don’t announce your departure to a shop full of people. Only tell people who need to know you’re going away.
- Make sure your house looks occupied. A closed curtain in the daytime makes it look as if no one is at home. It is worthwhile to get automatic time-switches to switch lights, and a radio, on and off in downstairs rooms.
- Don’t leave valuable items like TV’s, videos or hi-fi visible through windows.
- Lock your garage and shed with proper security locks, after putting all your tools safely away so they cannot be used to break into your house.