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  4. Staying Safe Part Three: Security Measures While on Holiday

Home Security

Top tips and advice on protecting your home with alarms, locks, CCTV systems and security upgrades.

Home Security

Staying Safe Part Three: Security Measures While on Holiday

Whether you live in a mansion or a cabin, your home should be your castle; your safe place. Over the past couple of weeks we have looked at home security and basic steps that you can take to make your home as unattractive and inaccessible as possible to potential burglars. Your house is most at risk when it is empty, so it stands to reason that a lot of house invasions happen while the owners are on holiday.

Whether you live in a mansion or a cabin, your home should be your castle; your safe place. Over the past couple of weeks we have looked at home security and basic steps that you can take to make your home as unattractive and inaccessible as possible to potential burglars. Your house is most at risk when it is empty, so it stands to reason that a lot of house invasions happen while the owners are on holiday.

As well as the security measures previously detailed, such as locking all doors and windows, putting away garden tools and valuables, investing in a security system and video doorbell, there are a few additional measures that you can take before you go on holiday so that you can have complete peace of mind.

The most important thing you can do is make it look as though your home is occupied even while you are away. A burglar will look for tell-tale signs that will indicate that you have been gone for more than a couple of days. These include: deliveries piling up (newspaper, milk, parcels), post at the door (if it is visible), an empty drive, no lights coming on at night, rubbish or recycling not going out (or changing) for a few days, overgrown (or dying) plants. Here’s what you can do.

  1. Cancel or pause regular deliveries (milk, paper, subscriptions) while you are away.
  2. Ask a trusted friend, neighbour or relative to pop in every couple of days to check for deliveries and pop post and parcels on the table.
  3. If you are a one-vehicle household and your driveway will be empty, ask a neighbour to park their car in your driveway while you are gone.
  4. Invest in smart plugs or bulbs that will allow you to control your lights from wherever you are, or pre-set times for lights to come on and go off again.

If you are going away in winter, unwanted guests aren’t your only threat; burst pipes could leave you with a nasty surprise when you come home. If a cold snap is even a possibility (any time from October – April in the UK!) then it is wise to switch off your water. If someone is coming to water inside plants, then remind them they need to switch the water on when they get there, and off before they leave.

If you are going away for a longer period of time or you are particularly anxious about leaving your home empty, whether it is for a weekend, a week, or a month, then you may want to consider asking a security company to take care of it, or getting a house sitter; the latter is also a great option if you have pets.

Wherever you are going on holiday; enjoy! By taking these tips, you will be able to relax with complete peace of mind. For more advice, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

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Looking for more home security advice?

Find clear, practical answers to common home security questions, helping homeowners understand everyday issues, know what checks they can carry out safely, and when it is best to contact a qualified professional.

  • What home security measures do insurance companies recommend?

    Most insurers want to see five-lever mortise deadlocks on external doors, key-operated window locks, and ideally a monitored alarm - some require these as a condition of cover. CCTV and smart doorbells are increasingly valued too.

    Check your policy documents or speak to your insurer directly - inadequate security can affect both your premiums and whether a claim gets paid out.

  • Should I get a CCTV system or a smart alarm installed professionally?

    Off-the-shelf systems are sold as DIY-friendly, but professional installation gets you proper camera positioning for actual coverage, everything integrated correctly, and reliable connectivity.

    If your alarm needs to meet insurer requirements or NSI/SSAIB standards, professional installation is usually a must. A good installer will also assess your property's specific weak points rather than just fitting a standard kit.

  • Does having a visible alarm box actually deter burglars?

    Yes - consistently, according to research. A dummy box offers some deterrent, but a working monitored system with a visible bell box is significantly more effective. Burglars mainly target properties that look easy to enter quickly and quietly - anything that signals risk or delay helps. Combine a visible alarm with motion-activated lighting and CCTV and you're covering the main things that make a property look like a harder target.

  • What is the most effective burglar deterrent for a UK home?

    A combination of things working together is what really makes the difference. A visible alarm, motion lighting, and CCTV remove the cover burglars rely on.

    Strong door and window locks matter too - most break-ins involve forcing a door or window, not anything sophisticated. When you're away, timer-controlled lights that make the house look occupied are simple but genuinely effective.

  • What should I do immediately after a break-in?

    Don't touch anything until the police have been - you want to preserve the scene. Call the police and get a crime reference number, which you'll need for your insurer. Report it to your insurer as soon as you can.

    Photograph any damage before anything gets moved. Once the police have attended, get a locksmith or security professional out to make the property secure - especially if any doors or windows were damaged.

  • Should I upgrade to a smart lock and are they more secure than traditional locks?

    Security-wise, it depends more on the lock's mechanism than whether it's smart or not. Most smart locks use the same deadbolt mechanisms as conventional ones and just add keypad, fingerprint, or app control on top.

    The real benefits are practical - you can give temporary access without cutting keys, see who's come and gone, and set it to auto-lock. Look for Sold Secure or BSI Kitemark accreditation, and make sure it's properly installed - a good lock fitted poorly doesn't offer much.

  • How often should I change the locks on my home?

    There's no set schedule, but there are clear triggers: moving into a new property, losing a set of keys, a relationship breakdown where someone had a key, or after a break-in. Outside of those situations, a quality lock will last many years without needing replacement unless it's showing signs of wear.

    Stiffness or keys becoming difficult to turn are worth getting looked at rather than ignoring.

  • Can uPVC door locks be repaired or do they need replacing?

    Often repaired, actually. The most common problem - a multipoint lock that won't engage properly with the frame - is usually down to the door dropping slightly on its hinges. Adjusting the hinges often sorts it without touching the lock at all. The euro cylinder (the part the key goes into) can be replaced cheaply and quickly on its own if that's the issue. A full mechanism replacement is only needed if the internal gearbox has failed. A locksmith can work out which part's the problem and fix just that.

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