Home security checks to do before holidays

YOU’VE turned three days of annual leave into a 10-day break but before you head off for your holiday from April 19-28, make sure home security is part of your travel plan.

It’s really easy to secure your house and make it appear occupied to substantially reduce the risk of burglary.

Follow these steps from RAC Security, no matter how long your getaway this Easter and ANZAC Day.

CHECKLIST

• All doors and windows are key locked.
• Telephone ringer volume is turned down so people outside the home can’t hear it for extended periods of time.
• Exterior sensor lights are on. Timers for lights and radio are set to turn on and off in different rooms at times that match night and day patterns so the casual observer thinks someone is home.
• Power supply to the electric garage door/s is disconnected and the door between the garage and home is locked.
• Vehicle/s left at the home are secured and keys are not left in an obvious place.
• Water supply at the mains is turned off to prevent the risk of leaks (if away for a long period of time).
• Tools, gardening equipment and ladders are locked away so they can’t be used to gain access to the home.
• High-value goods aren’t visible through windows and hence aren’t easy targets for opportunistic thieves.
• Property is engraved or has a visible, permanent mark for easy identification.
• Photos of valuables have been taken and details recorded to help with recovery if they are stolen and an insurance claim must be made.
• Alarm system is on and window stickers are in place to warn potential thieves an alarm is installed. The person looking after the property knows how to turn the alarm off and back on, and arrangements have been made to have the alarm monitored for 24-hour protection while away.
• Trusted neighbours or friends know your travel plans (dates, address and telephone number) and have spare keys so they can deal with any emergencies. Ask if they can park a car in the driveway or take out the bins so it looks like someone is home.
• Travel plans have not been announced on social media.
• Ask someone to regularly collect the mail or have it redirected through Australia Post.