The summer holidays are in full swing and it’s time to get away with the family for some well-earned rest. So, the last thing you want to worry about when you’re dozing away on the beach, is how secure your house is and what unexpected bills might welcome you home. Keeping your home safe and avoiding unnecessary utility bills is quite simple and The Money Shop offers some tips.
Running unnecessary appliances while you’re away can lead to unexpected bills and costly repairs if things breakdown. It’s not worth the expense or risk, so check your house for potential pricey hazards or unused appliances before leaving.
Time to unplug
Avoid keeping TVs, radios and other appliances on standby. Even keeping chargers, air fresheners and other devices plugged in adds to your expenses. If you’re away for an extended period, you could even unplug your fridge but make sure it is defrosted first.
Prevent flooding
Flooding can have a devastating effect on your home and finances, so turn off the water valves to your sinks, washing machine and dishwasher.
Secure the garden
Make sure any costly garden furniture and decorations are secured in case of strong winds or storms while you’re away.
A welcome visitor
Give keys to a trusted friend or neighbour who can come in and check your home if you’re away for a longer period.
Home control
Smartphone apps like Hive allow you to control your heating , lighting and other house appliances when you’re not around.
Summer security
It’s no coincidence that more burglaries happen over the holidays like summer and Christmas. In fact, last year saw 200,000 burglaries during the summer months, while outdoor thefts increased by 40 per cent. However, if you are leaving your house empty for longer periods this year, there are some security steps you can take:
Summer lockdown
It goes without saying but make sure your house is locked securely before you jet off. Lock windows, doors, garages and other outhouses and double check all of them.
Leaving yourself on display
Make sure any eye-catching expensive items aren’t easy to view through window or doors – this will only encourage thieves.
Make your house look lived in
This is more than just setting timed lights that burglars are all too aware of. Ask a neighbour to park on your driveway occasionally, leave curtains and blinds open and mow your lawn before you go, so it doesn’t look overgrown and unattended. You can also use Royal Mail Keepsafe to stop your mail being delivered and piling up while you’re away.
Embrace the technology
Who says you can’t keep an eye your home while you’re away? You can now install cameras and sensors that link directly to an app on your phone that you can view 24/7. You can even set them to alert you when a sensor is triggered, offering real, remote peace of mind.
Don’t show off!
Telling family, close friends and neighbours you’re away is great but leave it there. Posting on social media that you’re off on holiday only advertises the fact your house will be empty and you never know who could be reading.
How you prepare your house when you’re away for a prolonged period comes down to common sense. Some incidents and accidents obviously can’t be prevented but there are steps you can take to minimise the risk, so you don’t spend your valuable holiday time worrying about home.
