How can I protect my home while away in the motorhome?

How can I protect my home while away in the motorhome?

by Dr Steffan George development director the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA)

1. Check your house from the outside in – are there any ladders or objects in the garden that could be used to break into your property? If so can they be moved and stored somewhere safely?
2. Remove any valuable objects from view within the house and in any outhouses such as garages and sheds
3. Make sure all of your windows and doors (including internal doors to conservatories and garages) are locked and all of the keys are taken out of the locks and stored securely
4. Are any house keys left in the door locks? If so then remove them and store them somewhere secure. Side windows can also be smashed to reach keys and gain entry so consider adding reinforced glass or maybe even block the glass up if you feel appropriate. Decorative grilles and bars can also vastly improve the security of a home without being detrimental to the aesthetics
5. Consider installing a number of light timers around the house so it appears someone is home at night
6. Are neighbours, family or friends able to pop into the house to open curtains and remove post? The house will appear as though you really are at home which will deter opportunist criminals
7. Added security such as alarms and even CCTV could act as a deterrent. Alarms will alert neighbours to intruders so make sure you set them before you leave. CCTV can also be managed by a security company who will monitor your property while you are away – always alert them of your holiday in advance.
8. Depending on valuables you may have you may want to consider getting a safe professionally supplied and installed.
9. You may also want to install top and bottom bolts on French doors or add sash jammers to UPVC doors
10. Hide car keys out of sight – statistics show that thieves are increasingly breaking into homes to steal car keys so don’t make it easy for them. Always park your car in the garage while you are away
11. Outhouses such as sheds and garages should be locked with a suitably approved lock – a good source of advice is Sold Secure, a premier testing and certification house for security products
12. Lock any side or back gates – again using a recommended lock
13. Cancel any deliveries of newspapers and milk
14. And finally, last but perhaps the most important; lock all of your doors and windows!