10 Cost-free Steps to Secure Your Home While on Holiday

Holiday season is upon us!

For those planning a trip away from home, Pieter de Swardt suggests these 10 cost-free ways to ensure your home is secure and your mind is at ease while on holiday:

1. Make sure there is no one outside of your house before you leave home.
2. If people are outside when you are leaving and you have no choice but to leave, wave with your arm outside of your car, hoot if necessary, or shout something like "We'll call you when we get there safely!" This will create the impression that someone is staying behind.
3. Do not pack your caravan, trailer, or car where it is clearly visible.
4. When on holiday for a few weeks, arrange with a neighbour or a garden service to mow your front lawn when on holiday - especially the section which is visible from the road.
5. Arrange with a neighbour to collect your mail, specifically newspapers like the Tygerburger, which are delivered for free, and which are often dropped on a visible spot at the front door.
6. If possible, switch on the radio in the garage or another room closest to public access to your home. This is to create the impression that someone is home and listening to a radio.
7. Keep an inside light on at night. Automatic light timers that turn on and off will simulate your normal routine. Look for timers with battery back-up. Do not switch on outside lights only, as it is a clear tell-tale sign that you are on holiday.
8. Try not to close all your curtains and blinds at the front of your house. Select a room with the least valuable items and one that is visible from the road and keep the curtains or blinds open.
9. Leave items of little value outside to create the impression that you are at home, for example, your washing, an umbrella, towels, or children's toys. A creative idea is to prune a few branches and pull out some weeds and put them on piles to suggest that you are busy in your garden.
10. Is the battery of your alarm system still functioning? There will likely be loadshedding while you are away, therefore make sure you have inserted new batteries in your alarm system to ensure peace of mind.

Have a fantastic holiday and travel safely!