Travel Article:

Securing your home before travelling

By: Laine Yates

When we all go off on holidays, we worry about what to pack and how to get there, but sometimes we leave an important aspect of travelling to the last minute. That is, securing our home whist we are away.

Here are some great tips on what you can do to make sure your home is safe on your return from travelling.

1)  Tell a few of your trusted neighbours  

• when you are leaving and coming back
• leave them contact details of who to get in touch with if something happens to your house
• ask them to collect your mail
• to put out the rubbish bins if you are going to miss the rubbish pick up (the bins might be a bit too smelly if they are left there for a couple of weeks!)

2)  Cancel your usual deliveries and services 

• deliveries such as milk, paper etc.  It will be obvious that there is no-one home if there are piles of newspapers on the drive
• services such as your house cleaner, child care, the kids extra curricular activities, dog walker etc

3)  To look as though you are home 

• put lights on timer switches so it automatically comes on at a certain time
• ask someone to house sit even if its on the weekends or a couple of nights over the time that you are away
• if possible leave a car in the drive -  ask friends or family if you do not have a second car
• get someone to mow your lawns
• someone once told me - hang out washing on the clothes line to look as though you are home... a great tip!

4)  Secure the home and garden 

• lock the gate to the backyard
• ensure all doors and windows have locks on
• make sure things that will help burglars to break in such as ladders, gardening tools etc are locked away 
• ensure all sensor lights are turned on around the outside of your house
• ask a trusted friend or family member to regularly check in and around the house
• an obvious one, make sure the home alarm is switched on and that all the "alarm stickers" are visible on outside doors and windows. If the alarm is to go off, make sure your neighbour knows what to do or who to call. If you do not have an alarm system, consider getting a "dummy alarm" which looks like the real thing. Some of these alarms even come with "dummy alarm stickers" 
• if you keep a set of house keys outside, make sure you collect them before going on holidays
• take photos of your valuables and keep them somewhere safe
• try and hide valuables in rooms burglars rarely go to if they are in a rush e.g. kitchen, laundry, bathroom, kids bedrooms etc.

5) If you are having work done to the house and garden, do not tell the "workers/contractors" that you will be on holidays.

• Just give an excuse as to why the work has to stop, either that or avoid going on holidays whilst workers are coming in and out of your house. This might sound obvious, but we know people who have been burgled twice in the space of 6 months whilst their pool was being built. Some might say coincidence but we doubt it!

We hope this checklist gives you the peace of mind to enjoy the holiday that you deserve!

Happy Travels!

ickle Kids specialises in Kids Activity Packs and Travel Toys! As a mum of two active young boys, I understand how challenging it can be to entertain your ickle ones when you are out and about. Our activity packs and travel toys are perfect to entertain your kids when you are travelling, dining out at restaurants, waiting at the doctor’s surgery, busy feeding your ickle bubba, visiting Granny’s house or for a rainy day at home. Our travel toys are unique, fun and educational and cannot be found in commercial stores. Visit our online shop www.icklekids.com.au.

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