10 Summer Holiday Home Security Tips To Keep Your Home Safe
Summer holidays are the perfect opportunity to relax, spend quality time with family and enjoy a well-earned break. Whether you’re heading abroad or staying elsewhere in the UK, leaving your home unoccupied for several days or weeks can create opportunities for opportunistic burglars if the property appears empty.
Fortunately, taking a few simple precautions towards summer holiday home security before you leave can significantly reduce the risk of a break-in. From testing your burglar alarm and securing doors and windows to using smart security technology and asking a trusted neighbour to check in on your property, a little preparation can go a long way.
In this guide, leading security installer Lincs Alarms is sharing practical summer holiday home security tips to help you protect your property while you’re away. By following these simple measures, you can enjoy your summer holiday with greater confidence, knowing your home is safe and secure until you return.
Why Is Home Security So Important During Summer?
Home security is important all year long, but the summer poses unique risks, which makes it the perfect opportunity to reassess your current systems. Summer is the most popular time for vacations and holidays, and it is these prolonged absences that also make it the most popular time for burglaries.
As homeowners spend time away from their properties and leave their homes empty for weeks at a time, this makes them more vulnerable to intrusions, theft and other security risks. Burglars are often driven by opportunity, and not having the right security systems in place around your home creates the perfect environment for them to commit their crimes.
A secure home not only protects your possessions and the property itself when you are away but also provides peace of mind throughout your vacation. In many cases, simply having security systems such as CCTV cameras in place is enough of a deterrent that they can keep your home safe even when you are not there.
Many options for summer holiday home security systems can protect your home when you are not there and be easily installed before your summer holidays.
Our Top 10 Summer Holiday Home Security Tips
Effective summer holiday home security measures can deter potential burglars and ensure that any attempt to breach your home is quickly thwarted, so you can vacation in peace.
The following methods outline the best way to protect your home and offer high levels of summer holiday home security during your absences this summer.
1) Assess Your Home Security
Before you jet off for your summer holiday, take some time to evaluate your current home security measures to determine what needs to be done. Taking the time to consider your current security measures allows you to make the best decisions for your home.
To determine what kind of security you need, walk around your home to identify any potential vulnerabilities. For example, any entry points that can be easily accessed or an overgrown garden that can provide hiding spots for intruders.
These first need to be identified so you can find the best solution for your summer holiday home security and get these installed before your vacation.
For a comprehensive home security checklist, see our post Home Security Checklist: Is Your Family and Property Safe?
2) Secure Entry Points
A highly effective way to enhance your summer holiday home security, during summer holidays or at any other point in the year, is through high-quality locks on all entry points.
Securing entry points such as doors and windows can prevent break-ins by making it more difficult for burglars or intruders to enter your home. High-quality locks should be fitted on all doors and windows across the home to limit access through these entry points.
It is a good idea to opt for robust locks that cannot be tampered with, as these offer extra protection to your home. Deadbolts are a great example of this and are ideal for doors, as they are incredibly durable.
If you are in a particularly high-risk area, you may also want to consider additional security for windows, such as grills or bars, as well as locks.
3) Install Alarm Systems
Home alarm systems are great to use during any absence from the home, in particular long-term absences such as during a summer holiday.
Security alarms are common and will alert you to any intrusion within the home. Modern alarm systems come with a range of features, including motion sensors, that can be used to trigger the alarm and alert authorities during worst-case scenarios.
There are also options for home alarms that connect to other elements of your security system, such as cameras for remote surveillance. Security alarms are not only highly effective, but they can also be a great deterrent as visible alarms and cameras indicate a tough job for potential burglars and intruders, making them less likely to target your home.
To learn more about home alarms and which is the right option for you, see our post Burglar or Intruder Alarm: Which System Do You Need?
4) Add Security Cameras
CCTV give you eyes on your home even if you are not physically present. Much like with alarm systems, visible security cameras can be a great deterrent to burglars as well as offering you additional layers of protection when you need it most.
Most modern security cameras can be accessed remotely, allowing you to keep track of your home whether you are relaxing by the pool or on the beach in another country. To learn more about remote monitoring, see our post 9 Benefits of Remote Security Monitoring Systems.
here are many options for home security cameras these days, allowing you to find the best fit for your home. Whatever you choose, install security cameras across the home, making sure entry points are visible, as well as inside the home for additional protection.
To learn more about camera positions, see our post How to Position CCTV Cameras for Maximum Home Security.
5) Timers for Lights and Electronics
A dark and silent home is a clear indication that no one is present and can make your property a target for burglars. This is why timers are a vital part of summer holiday home security.
Even when you are not present in your home, such as during your vacation, you can give the impression that someone is home.
Timers are an effective tool for this and can be used across lights and other electronics to mimic activity throughout the home. If you have a typical routine, lights can be turned on and off at particular times to simulate this and give the impression that you are still home.
There are several main types of electronic timers available, such as staggered timers which will turn the lights on or off at different times in various rooms, or smart plugs, which can be controlled remotely through an app.
Lights are not the only thing that you can turn on when you are not at home, as using timers for electronics such as the television or radio can also give the impression that someone is home and effectively deter burglars. It is important that you rely on timers for the electronics and do not just leave them running the whole time you are on holiday.
Not only is this more effective for simulating activity, but it is also cheaper and safer.
6) Use Outdoor Lighting
Just as keeping the home well-lit on the inside is important for security, so is lighting the exterior during summer holiday home security. Outdoor lighting is a great summer holiday home security measure, as they are a significant deterrent to burglars.
Burglars are more likely to operate under the cover of darkness, where they are less likely to be caught, so a well-lit house is highly unappealing. Outdoor lighting should be installed around your property to enhance home security by highlighting any untoward activity that may take place.
Several options for outdoor lighting can enhance home security, whether you are present or not, including motion-sensor lights and security floodlights, which can cover large areas such as driveways or back gardens.
7) Keep Your Garden Well Maintained
Before you jet off on your holiday, make sure your garden is well-maintained and clear. Overgrown grass and other obstructions can create the perfect hiding place for intruders and therefore pose a significant threat to your home security.
A well-maintained garden not only makes it more difficult for criminals to hide but also gives the impression that someone is home. An overgrown garden is essentially a sign that the property has been vacant for some time and is therefore appealing to burglars or intruders.
Avoid these risks by mowing the lawn, trimming hedges and disposing of any rubbish before your vacation.
8) Don’t Broadcast Holiday Plans
While it might be tempting to share your holiday excitement on social media, doing so can inadvertently inform burglars of your absence and make your home a target. It is common for people to share their highlights with friends and family online, but doing so can also cause issues.
This is why you need to be mindful of what you post online and who you talk to before you go on holiday. If you are going to share updates from your trip online, take some time to assess your security settings and limit who has access to your posts.
For ultimate protection, limit posting anything until you get home – where you can freely update your friends and followers about everything you did without the risk.
9) Inform Trusted Neighbours
Although it is not a good idea to broadcast your holiday plans, it may be beneficial for you to speak with a trusted neighbour about your absence. A trusted neighbour can provide an additional layer of protection by watching over your house and may even contribute to its protection.
Ask a neighbour to watch over your property as well as collect any mail that may accumulate during your trip. They could also park a car in your driveway to give the impression someone is home and limit the appeal to burglars.
10) Contact Lincs Alarms Before You Leave
One of the best ways to enjoy complete peace of mind while you’re away is to ensure your home security system is working exactly as it should. If your burglar alarm or CCTV system is outdated, unreliable or overdue for servicing, now is the perfect time to have it checked by the professionals.
At Lincs Alarms, we provide expert home security solutions, including burglar alarms, CCTV systems and ongoing maintenance to help keep your property protected. Before you head off on your summer holiday, contact our experienced team to discuss your summer holiday home security requirements and ensure your home is ready while you’re away.
We can help you determine the best security solution for your home. For more, see our post CCTV vs Burglar Alarms: Which Security System is Right for You?
Conclusion
Preparing your home before you go away only takes a little time, but it can make a significant difference to your property’s security. By following these simple summer holiday home security tips, you can reduce the risk of a break-in, protect your valuables and enjoy your holiday knowing your home is well protected.
Whether it’s testing your burglar alarm, securing your doors and windows or using smart security technology to monitor your property remotely, every precaution helps. Taking action before you leave means you can focus on making memories with family and friends instead of worrying about what’s happening back home.
At Lincs Alarms, we supply and install high-quality burglar alarms, CCTV systems and smart security solutions tailored to your property and your requirements.
Contact Us Today
Contact us today to arrange a consultation and enjoy greater peace of mind every time you leave your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I keep my home safe while I’m on holiday?
Before you leave, make sure all doors and windows are securely locked, set your burglar alarm, test your CCTV system, use timer switches for lights and ask a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your property. These simple steps can help deter opportunistic burglars and give you greater peace of mind.
Should I leave lights on while I’m away?
Rather than leaving lights on continuously, it’s better to use timer switches or smart lighting that turns lights on and off at different times. This helps create the impression that someone is home while also being more energy efficient.
Is a burglar alarm worth it for summer holiday home security?
Yes. A professionally installed burglar alarm is one of the most effective ways to protect your home while you’re away. Modern alarm systems can also be integrated with CCTV and smart apps, allowing you to monitor your property remotely and receive alerts if your alarm is activated.
