How to keep your home safe while you’re on holiday

Cancel any deliveries

Make sure you cancel any regular deliveries, such as your daily newspaper or bottles of milk. Think about any deliveries that might have been scheduled, as an undelivered parcel sitting outside your home is a sure sign no one’s there

If you’re worried about your post and there’s no helpful neighbour to hand, Royal Mail offers a Keepsafe service that will hold onto your mail for up to 66 days and return it to you once you’re home. If you’re going away for a fortnight, the service will look after your post for 17 days for just £14.

Lock up

Lock your windows as well as your doors, and secure any outbuildings, sheds and garages. Don’t leave anything unlocked as some insurance providers might only pay out for a burglary claim on an unoccupied home if there are signs of forced entry.

Keep tools locked away so they can’t be used to break into your house. And if you have no option but to leave a ladder outside, ensure it’s secured to a permanent fixture with a padlock and chain.

Don’t leave spare keys outside under plant pots or large stones. You may think your hiding place is original, but a determined thief will almost certainly find them.

Secure your valuables

Keep your valuables out of sight or lock them away, if possible.

Consider moving your valuables to a relative’s or close friend’s house, but check with your insurance provider that they’ll still be covered. 

Don’t advertise your absence

Avoid the temptation of telling everyone via social media that you’re jetting off. If your Facebook account is fully open, you could be advertising your absence to potential thieves.

Resist ‘checking in’ and posting photos online of your trip while you’re away.