It pays to keep in mind the safety of your home while you are away in your campervan or motorhome.
With many Motorcaravan owners planning trips for 2024, ensuring you keep belongings safe in your home is important.
We have written many examples explaining how to keep your motorcaravan safe but not about your house.
An empty house could easily be acknowledged by unwanted visitors.
Gadgets and expensive clothing left at home can be vulnerable without proper precautions being taken.
Experts at Howden Insurance have revealed their top tips explaining how to keep your house safe.
Keep the risks of being faced with house damage, stolen items, and loss of personal property upon return to a minimum.
Make sure to set alarms
The most obvious way to warn off burglars is to keep doors locked to keep thieves out. But it can be easily forgotten, especially if you leave home in a rush.
Even when doors are locked, it does not guarantee that burglars won’t find another way in. Ensure alarms are set whenever the house is vacant. Make sure any unwanted visitors will be caught almost immediately.
Don’t forget, it is still possible to get robbed in broad daylight. Burglars may gain a rough idea of when you will or won’t be in the house. So, the likelihood of being robbed in the day can just be as likely as being robbed at night. Therefore, you should keep your alarms set throughout at the day as well as the nighttime.
Use smart plugs for lights
Not everyone has sophisticated lights that dim or are on a timer in their homes. But there is no need to run up a huge electricity bill or break the bank by leaving them on all day.
Consider purchasing a few affordable smart plugs for lamps around the house. Particularly in rooms that will be visible to passers-by. This way, you can turn lights on and off when you like and needn’t worry about leaving lights switched on for hours on end throughout the day and night. As a result, the house will seem as though it still has occupants inside and the property is not empty.
Be mindful of social media
It is very easy to forget that it is not always just your friends who can view your profiles on social media platforms. As much as everyone likes to show off their chosen destination, it may make your house a more attractive target. That could increase the chance of a break-in. Social media posts from your activities on the road are entertaining and popular to watch, but the wrong people can easily acknowledge them.
To avoid this, ensure that images or videos you share from your trip away are only visible to your friends. Turn any accounts on private mode so that only people you trust know your true location. Any indication of your whereabouts can be suggestive as to when you are most likely to be away from home.
Let your neighbours and landlord know if you are planning on going away
It is particularly important to let the people around you know if you will be absent for a short while. Regardless of whether this is just for a night or two. When neighbours are aware they would know to treat suspicious activity. While you are gone and they hear noise coming from your house, they can take further action if needed.
If you are a renter, keep the landlord informed. Let them know you aren’t going to be home. That would be beneficial for their peace of mind as well as yours. They may even visit the property to keep it safe making small changes. Such as giving the curtains and blinds an adjustment so that it looks like someone is home.
Imply security is in place
While your house may not be fitted with CCTV due to costs, burglars aren’t necessarily aware of this. It may be worth investing in some signs to put in your window or by the front door with ‘CCTV in operation’. Or any other sign that implies the house is under surveillance. It is a simple but effective way to warn off burglars. And it won’t be as pricey as genuine surveillance appliances. It is a simple yet effective way to help keep your house safe and secure while you are away.
However, a doorbell that features a camera, such as Ring, may also be a worthy investment. That way you can keep an eye on anyone approaching your house. You can view this on your phone, no matter your location. Prices can vary from £50 to £300 on websites like Amazon, depending on the brand you select.
Enjoy time away from work
Stuart Craig Head of Leisure at Howden Insurance commented on these findings. He said, “Going on trip should be a joyous occasion. It is an opportunity to enjoy time away from work with friends or family. However, there is always a concern that intruders could reap the benefits of an empty house filled with lots of valuable possessions. So it is important to keep safe and be vigilant of your home’s safety when planning a trip. Fortunately, there are certain steps you can take to reduce any worries about your home and make sure you can enjoy your well-deserved break to the full extent.”
Howden Insurance, the new name for A-Plan, is the fifth-largest employee-owned business in the UK and one of the largest insurance groups in the world. They trade as Shield Total Insurance, when offering specialist caravan and motorhome insurance.
Taking these proper precautions before leaving your house for any reason will keep your mind at ease. And reduce the chances of a burglary. All techniques are affordable, practical, and a great way to protect your home.