GOING AWAY OR YOUR HOME IS A HOLIDAY HOME
However much you like your home, there is nothing like a change of surroundings but you want to come back and find everything as you left it. The following check list will help you keep your home secure.
Read it now so you can plan ahead, then tick off the items just before you go.
•Consider buying an old car to leave in the driveway if you only use the home for holidays.
• Post code valuable items using a security marker
• Do not lock internal doors or desks – they may be forced if someone breaks in
and could cause even greater damage
• Only tell people who need
to know you are going away
• Make sure your home looks occupied. Closed shutters, whilst common in Spain in the daytime, may make it
look as if no-one is at home. Consider buying automatic timers to switch lights and leaving the shutters slightly open.
A radio on and off in downstairs rooms
• Don’t leave valuable items like TVs, videos or hi-fi equipment visible through
windows
• Lock the garage and shed with proper security locks and put your tools away
so they can’t be used to break into your house. If you have to leave a ladder
out, put it on its side and lock it to a secure fixture with a “close shackle”
padlock and a heavy chain.
• If you are going abroad, don’t show your home address on your luggage for
the homeward journey until you are due to return home
• Lock all outside doors and windows.
• If you have a burglar alarm, make sure it is set and you have told the police
who the keyholder is
• Just before you set off, allow a couple of minutes on the doorstep to check you
have done all you had to do and taken everything you need with you.