Hints & tips
Home Cover For Extended Holidays
If you are planning to go away for an extended amount of time, it is important that you leave your house protected. You may find it difficult to find cover for your home if you are planning to leave it vacant for a long period of time and even if you do manage to find an insurer that is willing to cover the house, it is likely to be expensive. But there are ways that you can reduce the price of this cover;
- Install smoke alarms, and test them on a regular basis. If you are leaving your home for an extended period of time, ensure that you have a trusted key-holder a family member, friend or neighbour to check your fire alarm every week; and make sure that they are prepared to change it if needed. A correctly functioning fire alarm will dramatically decrease your home insurance fees.
- Install some form of burglar alarm. This, like the fire alarm, will reduce the price of your insurance as it eases the possibility that your house will be threatened and it will go unnoticed.
- Employ a house-sitter to look after the house in your absence. However, this may be overly expensive at £500 plus travelling expenses, food bills and agency charges; so you may wish to ask a friend or relative to 'house-sit' for you. The fact that the house is occupied during your absence will make it much easier and affordable to insure.
Locking all Entry Points
It may seem obvious, but it is crucial that you ensure that all doors and windows are securely locked. Check them several times before leaving the house and leave strict instructions, on how to lock and unlock the doors and windows, to anyone who may be visiting the house in your absence.
Alarms
If you are likely to leave your house for extended periods of time, it is worth while investing in an alarm system. However, if this is too expensive, you may consider getting a battery-powered or plug-in motion sensor; these should be placed at any access point. Before leaving your home, thoroughly check that all alarms and the like are switched on. It is recommended that a key-holder should check that these devices are functioning correctly, at least once a week.
Leave a Light On
It is important that your house does not appear empty, leaving a light on will deter any potential burglars. Although, the same light left on all day and night for an extended period of time will probably draw attention to the fact that the house is empty; so it is a good idea to place several lights in separate rooms on a timer, so that it appears you are moving around the house. Having an outdoor light whether on a sensor, on a timer or left on all the time will help to draw attention to your house; your house is less likely to be broken-into if it is 'exposed'.
Unanswered Phone
A constantly unanswered phone may draw attention to the fact that your house is not currently inhabited. Consider unplugging the phone, or simply turning down the ringer volume if you do not wish to miss any calls.
Removing Temptation
When leaving your house unattended, consider removing all valuables from plain sight. If you do not have time or the storage capability to pack away your electronics, it is advisable to draw the curtains so that they cannot be seen through the window.
Turn Off your Water Supply
Turning off the main water supply to the house will reduce the possibility of a leak. It is also recommended that you drain toilets and tanks and turn off your water heater if you wish to have hot water and fully functioning facilities for your return home, ask a trusted key-holder to turn them back on a day before you return.
Electronics
Switch off all electrical circuit breakers that will not be needed when you are away; leave on those that power your lighting, heating and security systems. As an extra precaution, you may wish to unplug all nonessential electrical appliances just in case the power is accidentally left on.
Important Documentation
Hide or destroy any personal documents, bills or receipts. This will reduce the chance of identity theft.
Garden Upkeep
While away, you should consider hiring a gardener to ensure that your garden is kept in it's usual condition unusually uncut grass and overgrown hedges will alert people to the fact that the house is empty and, therefore, increase your chances of a burglary. If you cannot afford a gardener, try asking a friend to do it instead.
Emergency Keys
Do not leave any keys hidden outside. Give all spare keys to trusted friends and neighbours if you are likely to lock yourself out.
If you have an outdoor post-box, have someone remove your mail so that it does not pile-up. Uncollected post is an obvious indicator that the house is empty.