When you go on holidays
When you go on vacation, it's a good idea to leave your house looking 'lived in'.
The following checklist will help you reduce the chance of your house being broken into while you're away.
Tick each box when the job has been done.
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Ask a trusted friend or relative to 'house sit' for you while you are away (and you won't need to take any of the following precautions) |
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Make sure all windows and doors are locked in your home/garage/shed |
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Cancel milk and paper deliveries |
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Have your mail collected by a friend or neighbour, or have it held or redirected by the Post Office. |
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Arrange for someone to remove junk mail, mow your lawn and water plants. |
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Don't leave a message on your answering machine, or a note on the door, that tells callers you're away. |
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Turn down your phone's volume so it can't be heard ringing unanswered |
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Or consider having your phone diverted to a friend or relative while you're away (contact Telstra for more information) |
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Inform police and a trusted neighbour of your absence and leave a contact name and phone number |
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Consider using automatic timers on a light, TV or radio to switch on at night |
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Leave a few inexpensive laundry items (e.g. towels) on the line |
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Leave a key with a trusted neighbour and ask him/her to rearrange blinds etc to make your house look 'lived in' |
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Don't leave keys concealed outside the house |
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Lock small valuables in a safe or bank safety deposit box |
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Use the most secure room in your home to store valuables |
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Disconnect the electrical supply on radio-controlled or electronic garage doors and use good-quality locks |
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Have your wheelie bin locked away or chained to a post away from windows |
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Have a friend, relative or neighbour bring in your wheelie bin after it's been emptied |
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Lock away tools, ladders and anything that could be used to get into your house, garage or shed |
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Ask a neighbour to park their car in your driveway occasionally to give the impression that someone is coming and going |
Last Updated: 14/07/2008