{"id":16141,"date":"2016-12-16T14:10:17","date_gmt":"2016-12-16T14:10:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.propertysurveying.co.uk\/newsletter\/?page_id=16141"},"modified":"2016-12-21T16:25:43","modified_gmt":"2016-12-21T16:25:43","slug":"going-away-christmas-top-tips-keeping-property-possessions-safe","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.propertysurveying.co.uk\/newsletter\/?page_id=16141","title":{"rendered":"Going Away this Christmas? Top Tips for Keeping your Property and Possessions Safe"},"content":{"rendered":"

With many people away visiting family and friends over the festive season, things are often hectic and important tasks, such as securing your home properly, are overlooked. \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0Eighty percent of burglaries occur when a house appears empty for a few days.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 With money pressures at this time of year, and many homeowners away, Christmas and New Year is the prime time for your home to be targeted by thieves. \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve compiled a checklist of things to think about before leaving home so you can enjoy the festivities whilst you are away visiting friends and family without worrying that \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcunwelcome visitors\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 might be tempted to break into your home.<\/p>\n

\"homesecurity\"<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Post piling up is a sure sign that the residents are away. Royal Mail offer a \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcKeepsafe\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 scheme, where they will hold your mail for up to 66 days until you return home.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 It takes just a few minutes to apply online and five days to set up.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Alternatively, ask a friend or neighbour to pick up your mail and if possible, make the house appear to be occupied. \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0If your neighbours don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have their own driveway, and you do, suggest that they might like to park on your driveway whilst you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re away.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s tempting to be organised and pack the car the night before with suitcases and luggage. Unless it is completely out of sight in a locked boot, placing luggage on the back seat or rear ledge of a car is advertising your trip.\u00c2\u00a0 If you need to place it in the car the day before, make sure it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s somewhere that is not visible.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
        \n
      1. Leave a small lamp switched on where the light can be seen from the street or outside the property, OR invest in a timer, which can cost as little as \u00c2\u00a35 online, to ensure lights come on at appropriate times. A TV or radio on a timer is also a good idea as it reinforces the idea that the owners are home.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
          \n
        1. Ensure laundry isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t left hanging out on the line. If it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s still there after several days, this again suggests no one\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s home.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
            \n
          1. Leave curtains open. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s tempting to close curtains when you go away so no one can see in, but most curtains aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t closed during the day.\u00c2\u00a0 This again suggests you may be away.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0HOWEVER, ensure valuable items aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t visible from the outside of the property \u00e2\u20ac\u201c move them if necessary. \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0If you have a good relationship with your neighbour, ask if they might come in and close the curtains for you at night to show activity in the home.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
              \n
            1. As recommended above, keep valuables out of sight. This sounds obvious but you may be surprised what some people consider as \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcvaluable\u00e2\u20ac\u2122.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0If in any doubt, put it away. \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t forget to lock smaller valuables, such as jewellery, away in a safe if you have one \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and make sure keys aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t left in sight!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                \n
              1. Any electrical item not on a timer, or that doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need to be used whilst you are away, should be unplugged to protect your home from a power surge.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                  \n
                1. Invest in a security system where practicable\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6or one that looks<\/em> like a security system. Evidence suggests that just the sight of a security system box on the outside of your property is enough to deter thieves.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                    \n
                  1. Put your tools away. Ladders left out, for example, will only provide easy access to thieves and other tools will make their lives easier in breaking into your home.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                      \n
                    1. Without making it obvious ensure that the gates and doors you have are secured. Always make it as hard as possible for burglars to break in.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                        \n
                      1. Never leave a key under a plant pot \u00e2\u20ac\u201c or anywhere outside. Thieves are aware that people do this in case they lock themselves out, and will always take time to look around for a key.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                          \n
                        1. Provide a trusted neighbour or friend with a spare key. Even if they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not picking up the post or making the house look \u00e2\u20ac\u02dclived in\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 whilst you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re away, knowing they have a key will give you peace of mind that if something happens there is someone on hand to help . \u00c2\u00a0For instance, the security alarm may go off; a trusted person with a spare key will be able to turn it off for you – but remember to give them the code.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                            \n
                          1. And try not to mention that you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going away on social media. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s easy to think we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re just telling our \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcfriends\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 when in fact we may be advertising it to others, including thieves.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                              \n
                            1. Check your buildings and contents insurance is valid and up to date. Although you may think you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re fully covered, there are some circumstances where your household insurance is void if you are away for over a certain number of days, or if you have someone else in your home looking after it whilst you are away.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                \n
                              1. Have one last walk around your home immediately before you leave. Are all the doors locked and windows secured? Are all valuable items out of sight? Do the timers all work?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                Finally, enjoy a relaxing and trouble-free time away!<\/p>\n

                                \u00c2\u00a9 www.propertysurveying.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

                                DW (Dec 2016)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                With many people away visiting family and friends over the festive season, things are often hectic and important tasks, such as securing your home properly, are overlooked. \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0Eighty percent of burglaries occur when a house appears empty for a few days.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 With money pressures at this time of year, and many homeowners away, Christmas and … Continue reading “Going Away this Christmas? Top Tips for Keeping your Property and Possessions Safe”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"folder":[],"class_list":["post-16141","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nGoing Away this Christmas? 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