Burglaries increase during summer and holiday periods. These are the practical steps that make a real difference — ranked by how much of a deterrent each one actually provides.
The Risk: Why Holiday Periods Attract Burglars
Professional burglars watch for signs that a property is empty: post building up, no lights on at night, the same car on the driveway for two weeks, no bin put out on collection day. Empty properties are significantly more likely to be targeted, which is why the steps below focus on eliminating those signals.
1. Get a Professionally Installed Alarm
A visible, professionally installed alarm box on the front of your property is the single most effective deterrent against opportunistic burglars. Studies show burglars frequently bypass properties with alarm systems in favour of easier targets. Upgrade to a monitored system and your alarm will alert a response centre even if no one is nearby to hear the siren.
2. Install CCTV Cameras
Cameras covering your front door, back gate, and driveway deter intruders who don't want to be recorded. Modern IP cameras also send motion-triggered alerts to your phone, so you know if anything is happening in real time. With remote viewing, you can check in from wherever you are in the world.
3. Use Smart Lighting Timers
Set smart plugs or timer switches to turn lamps on and off at realistic times in the evening — not the same on/off pattern every night. This creates the impression the property is occupied. Leave a radio on a timer in a main living area for the same effect.
4. Secure All Entry Points
- Check all windows and doors are locked — including upstairs windows that are often left ajar
- Double-lock any door with a multi-point locking system
- Fit a door bar or secondary lock on any sliding patio doors
- Secure garden gates and sheds — tools left in a shed are often used by burglars to break into the main property
5. Don't Announce Your Holiday on Social Media
This sounds obvious but is routinely ignored. A holiday post on Instagram — especially one that includes location tags — tells everyone who follows you (and anyone who can see your public profile) that your home is empty. Post the photos when you get back.
6. Tell a Trusted Neighbour
Ask a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on the property, take in any parcels, and put the bins out on collection day. A neighbour who knows you're away will notice unusual activity and can act quickly.
Security Red Alert installs home alarm systems, CCTV, and smart security solutions across all London boroughs. If you're heading away and want the reassurance of a professionally monitored system, contact us for a free survey.
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