10 tips for a secure home this Easter

Easter is a time when many families choose to jet off on holiday; with the kids being off school and the weather starting to warm up. Whether you’re heading abroad or on a staycation this Easter - or leaving your home unoccupied for an extended period of time - then you run the risk of extending an open invitation to burglars. Don’t worry, these 10 tips from SimpliSafe will have you covered.

1. Make your home appear occupied

The trick with leaving your home empty for a few weeks is to do everything you can to make it look as though you’re still there! Those with ill intentions towards your property may look for the following:

• Post and delivery boxes starting to pile up

• Empty driveway or no vehicle parked out front

• No lights on when it gets dark, or a very predictable pattern to lights coming on

• Garden starting to look wild, such as a lawn that needs mowing or too many weeds

• Bins still out front after being emptied, or left unmoved for a long period of time

Of course, there’s only so much you can do to make your house look occupied when there’s no one there, but knowing what burglars will look out for can ensure you take as many steps as possible to protect your property.

2. Lock everything up

It may sound simple, but in the rush to remember everything for your journey, the little things can often be overlooked. And there’s spots that can often be forgotten too, such as pet doors (as burglars can use tools to reach inside and unlock from within) and high up windows, even if you have a second or third storey.

3. Cover all areas of your home

If you have a home security system, an upcoming holiday is the perfect time to take a look at it with fresh eyes. Are there any areas that could benefit from some extra protection? From Motion Sensors and Entry Sensors to stay aware of all comings and goings, to Outdoor Cameras and a Video Doorbell so you have eyes everywhere, there’s always a way to add another layer of security.

4. Use outside eyes

If you have a home security system with SimpliSafe, then you might consider making use of our Professional Monitoring service. Here’s how it works:

1. When an alarm is triggered in your home, the siren will sound.

2. One of our security specialists will call you.

3. They will confirm the break-in through the cameras in your home.

4. If a break-in is confirmed, you will receive notification of emergency services dispatch.

Professional Monitoring not only ensures that your home is being watched when you’re away, but also that any emergencies are met with a swift response.

5. Ask for a neighbour’s help

Many of the giveaway signs we mentioned in the first point can be mitigated with the help of a friendly and trusted neighbour. Start by letting them know that you’ll be gone for an extended period of time, and ask if they’d be willing to keep an eye on your house. Simple tasks such as collecting post and deliveries, sorting out bin collection and even parking a car in front of your home can sway would-be criminals.

Ask them if they would be comfortable with contacting the police if they notice anything suspicious, and be sure to give them your holiday contact information so they can get in touch.

6. Avoid the spare key trick

We all know the ‘door key under the mat’ trick, or even the key in a fake rock or under a flower pot, but for the seasoned criminal out there, they will likely check these obvious places first. Even if this is a tactic you employ on a usual basis - which we don’t recommend anyway - then make sure it’s removed and placed somewhere for safekeeping. Otherwise you’re handing a burglar your home on a silver platter!

7. Observe from the outside 

You may not be able to get into the mind of someone who doesn’t have the best intentions for your home and property, but you can still take a look at the exterior from the perspective of an outsider. Try to ask yourself the following questions as you take a look around outside:

• How many ways could I get inside?

• Which windows are easiest to access? 

Can I spot valuables simply by peering in through a window?

8. Be mindful of social media

Did you know that burglars can use social media when planning which houses to target? Depending on your privacy settings and who you are ‘friends’ with, you may be connected with strangers, and posting that you’re going on holiday is basically an open invitation.

We recommend saving those holiday snapshots until you get home, but it’s always a good idea to practise strong digital hygiene anyway, which you can do with the following steps:

• Check your privacy settings - Are they as secure as they can be?

• Don’t share revealing or personal information, such as your car’s registration plate, or the front of your house, or address.

• Only accept friend requests when you can guarantee you know the person.

• Avoid ‘checking in’ to locations, especially live!

• Showing off valuables, such as engagement rings or new tech purchases.

9. Refresh the house rules

If you have children in the house who will be off school for a couple of weeks, it’s worth having a refresher session with them on the house rules when it comes to home security and safety. Some of these may not apply - as not all children can be left home alone - but if you have teenagers in the house, this will be especially important.

Here are some key points to cover:

• Stranger danger, and not answering the door to people you don’t know, or when parents aren’t home. 

• The importance of locking windows and doors.

• Teach them how to use your home security system.

• Have a ‘command centre’ of important numbers and what to do in certain situations.

• Refresh your family safety plan.  

10. Don’t forget online security

We’re all using the internet now more than ever before, and online safety and security shouldn’t be an area that falls by the wayside. Whether it’s yourselves working from home or children accessing the internet for homework or gaming, there’s lot that you can do to stay safe online during the Easter holidays:

• Have strong passwords and refresh them regularly. Using a password manager can help prevent you from forgetting long and complex passwords. 

• Be wary of emails and attachments - don’t fall victim to phishing scams!

• Don’t give out personal information online. 

• Practise good social media hygiene - as we’ve covered above!

• Speak to your children about screen time and the potential impacts of cyberbullying, as they may be spending more time online during their holidays. 

We hope these home safety tips will help you keep your home and family safe and sound over the Easter holidays! Contact SimpliSafe to find out more.