Before You Go

Locking up your home, full of all your prized possessions is often a long process before heading off to sunnier destinations. ‘Have I locked the back door, front door, windows, turned all the lights off, hang on I best go check again just to be sure!’ We’ve all been there! Here are a few tips to help keep your house safe whilst you are unwinding on a beach thousands of miles away……

• Cancel any regular deliveries such as milk and newspapers as these could highlight you are away.
• You can set lights to come on during the day with various timers to make the house look like someone is there- although nothing substitutes for a trusted friend or neighbour popping in to adjust the curtains and pop the bin away (you might also want to get them to water your plants whilst they are there!)
• Ensure your animals are well looked after by arranging care for them in advance as catteries and kennels often get booked up fast.
• Don’t advertise on social media that you are away. Although a ‘check in’ at the airport gets you excited for your holiday, it also highlights that your home could be unoccupied.
• Check the UK weather before heading off! You might be able to set your heating thermostat onto ‘holiday mode’ or set it low but still ticking over to avoid pipes bursting if it gets too cold.
• If you’ve got a driveway, offer your neighbour your space to park whilst you are away 

And finally,

• Let your bank know that you are travelling- this will help your card getting stopped overseas due to suspected fraud. It’s also a good idea to use your card at the airport even just to buy a coffee. This highlights to your bank you are on the move! 

Once you’ve got all of this sorted, you can relax and enjoy your holiday!