As the festive season approaches, many Kiwis are gearing up for Christmas and summer holidays. Whether it’s a trip to the bach, a long-awaited overseas trip, or simply spending time away with family and friends, the summer break is the perfect time to relax and unwind. But while you’re soaking up the sun or celebrating the holidays, your home could be at risk of burglary.
Because this time of year is when burglaries tend to spike, it’s important to know how to protect your home while on vacation. That’s why the security professionals at Frontline Security have put together some practical tips to keep your home safe these holidays.
Tips to Protect Your Home While on Vacation
1. Lock It Down
This may seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning because so many people forget, especially in the rush to get to their holiday destination. Make sure that all doors and windows are securely locked before you leave. Double-check all entry points, including garage doors and side gates, and if you have sliding doors, consider adding a bar or rod in the track to prevent them from being forced open.
Pro tip: Don’t forget to lock any sheds or outbuildings where valuable items like bikes, tools, or gardening equipment might be stored as these are often easy targets for burglars looking for a quick win.
2. Use Timers for Lights and Electronics
A dark, quiet house is a clear sign that no one is home. To give the illusion that your home is occupied, use timers for lights, radios, or even your TV. You can set these to turn on and off at different times to mimic your usual routines.
Smart home devices have made it easier than ever to control your lights remotely—if you have smart plugs or a smart home system, you can adjust settings from your phone while you’re away, making it look like someone is always home.
3. Hold Your Mail and Deliveries
Nothing says “we’re not home” like a mailbox overflowing with letters or packages left on the doorstep. Before heading off on your holiday, put a temporary hold on your mail or ask a trusted neighbour to collect it for you. The same goes for any scheduled deliveries; make sure they’re paused or redirected during the time you’ll be away.
4. Don’t Announce Your Plans on Social Media
As exciting as it is to share your holiday plans and snaps, it’s best to avoid broadcasting them on social media. While your friends and followers might be eager to see your holiday photos, you never know who else might be watching. Announcing that you’re away could make your home a target for burglars so save those photos and updates for when you’re back home.
5. Secure Your Valuables
If a burglar does manage to get inside, make it as difficult as possible for them to find and steal your valuables. Consider investing in a small home safe for items like jewellery, passports, and other important documents and store larger electronics like laptops and tablets out of sight.
Pro tip: Take an inventory of your valuables, including photos and serial numbers. This will be helpful for insurance purposes if anything does go missing.
6. Invest in a Monitored Alarm System
While the above tips can deter opportunistic burglars, there’s no substitute for a robust security system—it’s one of the most effective ways to protect your home while on vacation. Unlike traditional alarms that simply make noise, a monitored system connects to a professional security company that can respond quickly to any alerts.
At Frontline Security, we offer 24/7 alarm monitoring, ensuring that any suspicious activity is dealt with immediately. If an alarm is triggered, our team is notified and can take action, whether it’s calling you, alerting the police, or sending one of our mobile patrols to check on your property.
You might be wondering why you should opt for a monitored alarm system over an unmonitored one. Here’s why:
- Immediate Response: With a monitored system, you’re not relying on your neighbours or passers-by to react to an alarm. Our team will be on it as soon as an alert comes through, reducing the time burglars have to cause damage.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing that professionals are looking after your home allows you to truly relax on your holiday—you won’t have to worry about rushing home if something goes wrong.
- Lower Insurance Premiums: Many insurance companies offer discounts on premiums for homes with professionally monitored alarm systems, which means you can save money while keeping your property secure.
7. Consider Security Patrols for Added Protection
For the ultimate peace of mind, consider hiring a professional security company to conduct regular patrols of your property. This is particularly useful if you’re going away for an extended period. At Frontline Security, we offer mobile security patrols across Auckland and Wellington and our highly trained guards will perform random checks on your property, ensuring that everything is in order.
Not only does this deter potential intruders, but it also gives you an added layer of security that a basic alarm system can’t provide.
8. Install Security Cameras
Security cameras serve as both a deterrent and a tool for gathering evidence if a break-in does occur. Modern systems allow you to monitor your home in real-time from your smartphone, giving you eyes on your property no matter where you are.
If you already have cameras installed, make sure they’re positioned correctly and are properly operational before you leave. Most security cameras nowadays also have an option to turn on notifications when any motion is detected—if your camera is in an area where there shouldn’t be motion when you’re not there, it might pay to turn this feature on.
Pro tip: If you have security cameras that run on batteries, make sure they’re fully charged or replaced before you head away.
9. Secure Your Wi-Fi Network
Many people don’t realise that securing their home includes securing their Wi-Fi. If your network is not protected, it can be an easy entry point for tech-savvy burglars to access smart home devices and disable your security systems. Make sure your network is password-protected, and consider setting up a guest network if you’re going to have visitors accessing your Wi-Fi.
The Benefits of Leaving Your Home Security to Professionals
You might think that setting up a DIY security system is enough, but there are many benefits to leaving your home security to the professionals.
Expert Knowledge
Security companies like ours have years of experience in protecting homes and businesses. We know what works and what doesn’t, and our extensive local experience means we know the areas we’re patrolling inside and out. Whether it’s identifying neighbourhoods with higher burglary rates or understanding the unique security challenges in Auckland versus Wellington, our team’s local knowledge allows us to provide targeted protection.
Customised Solutions
We can tailor our security services to meet your specific needs, whether it’s alarm monitoring, mobile patrols, or a combination of both. For example, if you live in a secluded area, you might benefit more from regular security patrols. On the other hand, if you’re in a busy neighbourhood, an advanced monitored alarm system with immediate response might be more suitable. We’ll work with you to design a security plan that offers the best protection for your home.
Ongoing Support
Our team is always on hand to help with any security concerns or system issues, giving you one less thing to worry about during your holiday. In case of any false alarms or system malfunctions, we’ll address the issue quickly, so you don’t have to stress about it while you’re away. Our ongoing support means you can trust that your home remains secure 24/7, letting you truly relax on your well-deserved break.
Knowing how to protect your home while on vacation can save you from the stress and heartbreak of coming back to a burglary. While taking precautions like locking doors, using timers, and securing valuables can help, the best way to protect your home is with a monitored alarm system and professional security presence.
At Frontline Security, we’re dedicated to keeping Auckland and Wellington homes safe, especially during the busy holiday season. Whether you’re heading away for a weekend or a month, let us handle your home security so you can focus on enjoying your time off.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help you protect your home while on vacation.