Here are a few tips on protecting your Home and possessions over the holiday period –
Home Protection
- Ask a trusted friend or neighbour to watch your home and collect mail or put the bins out.
- Make sure your home looks lived in – blinds open and if possible a timer setup to switch on the lights.
- Lock up the garage/shed and make sure there are no tools lying about in the garden. These can be used to gain entrance to your home.
- If you have a remote control for your garage door, don’t keep this in your car overnight or in sight – always keep it hidden and out of sight.
- Locks – sounds obvious but make sure all your locks are working and everything is locked before you leave – windows, side gates, sheds, garages. If possible, deadlocks on all doors are best.
- Be careful what you post on social media about your whereabouts over the holiday break. Best to post your holiday snaps after you return.
Insurance
- Home and Contents Insurance – Make sure your policy is up to date and your cover is adequate to reflect your possessions. Have you bought any extra items over Christmas that you haven’t added to your home Insurance? Are your valuable items covered when you are away on holidays?
- Items like Boats, Caravans and Motor bikes are targets for theft at this time of the year. They require separate insurance so keep that in mind if you have any of these items.
- Are you going away for a period of a few months or more? Have you advised your insurance broker to ensure your policy will cover you while your home is unoccupied ?
