Owning a holiday home is great, but with it comes a lot of responsibility. When they are left unoccupied, holiday homes are prone to unwanted attention; therefore, security is considered one of the most important aspects of owning a holiday home.
Here is an in-depth, top 10 Best Holiday Home Security Tips guide that will help protect your property, your valuables, and your overall investment in your home.
By using this information to your advantage, not only do you make intrusion into your holiday home incredibly difficult, but you may also be able to cut down on insurance costs and give yourself some well-deserved peace of mind.
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1. Fit a Dependable Security System
A general security system forms the foundation for your holiday home safety. Security systems of today range far beyond a simple alarm, with features like motion detection, high-resolution cameras, mobile alerts, and remote access. These innovative technologies give you the power to monitor and respond to activities from wherever you are, even from miles away.
Top Security Systems to Consider:
- SimpliSafe: Most famous for affordability and ease of use, along with mobile alerts and remote control.
- ADT: Provides comprehensive monitoring and customization options, with high marks for reliability.
- Ring: Ease of installation, two-way talk, and real-time video direct to your smartphone.
Of course, each brand does have their respective advantages, so reading customer reviews on SafeWise or Consumer Reports will help you make the right choice.
2. Install Smart Lighting to Detect Intruders
Smart lighting is a cost-effective and easy way to make it appear as though someone is occupying your home. Installing smart lights on timers or using systems that give you the option to control lights remotely allows you to create the illusion of activity.
CHECK OUT SOME OF THE SMART LIGHTING DETECT INTRUDERS
Smart Lighting Tips:
- Vary the Schedule: Program lights on and off at irregular times to mimic natural behavior.
- Install Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights: These would serve as a surprise to the intruder by lighting up dark areas when movement is detected.
- Install Smart Plugs. Plug these into devices such as a radio or television to make more “activity” within the home.
These tools will let the juices flow in deterrence methods that make your home appear occupied and discourage any would-be intruder from doing so.
3. Secure All Entry Points
These are usually the two most frequent points of entry that burglars look for when they plan an intrusion into a house. Strengthening these areas is one of the most practical and cost-effective means of ensuring protection for your vacation home.
Security Checklist for Entry Points:
- Install Deadbolts on All Doors: Solid deadbolts make it significantly harder to force your way in.
- Use window locks and sensors. These can alert one to any tampering or break-ins.
- Consider Doorbell Cameras: Things like Ring’s doorbell camera enable you to see who is at the door and talk to them, even if you are thousands of miles away.
Extra Tip: If your house has sliding glass doors, then you should purchase a bar or rod for them that makes it impossible to open the door from outside.
4. Call in the Neighbors
Your neighbors can be the best allies in keeping your holiday home safe. They will keep an eye on things, report suspicious activity, and may even park their car in your driveway to create an appearance of occupancy.
Tips for Getting Neighborly Help:
- Establish a mutual check-in agreement: Offer to return the favor if they go away.
- Share contact information: This ensures quick communication in cases of an emergency.
- Consider a Small Thank-You Gift: Evidence of appreciation goes a long way to encourage further assistance.
Good neighbors can spell the difference in security for your holiday home.
5. Invest in a Safe for Protecting the Valuables
If you store valuable items in your holiday home, then buying a safe would be a good investment. In addition to hindering the burglars, this safe will protect your important documents and precious items from fire and water damage.
Choosing the Right Safe:
- Fireproof and waterproof options: identify those that are rated for protection in natural disasters.
- Digital locks for added security: These locks are harder to tamper with.
- Discreet Placement: Avoid installing safes in ultra-obvious places like the master bedroom.
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6. Invest in Holiday Home Insurance
Holiday home insurance provides an extra layer of protection. It covers you against theft, vandalism, and natural disasters—all very real risks that make insurance a no-brainer to protect your investment.
Some Key Features of a Good Insurance Policy:
- Theft and Vandalism Cover: protects against break-ins and damages.
- Liability Cover: this is quite important in case you rent out your holiday home in case of accidents.
- Natural Disaster Protection: where your home lies in areas prone to such disasters as flooding or earthquakes, this may be important.
Sites like Policygenius will let you compare insurance policies to find the best coverage for your needs.
7. Fit CCTV Cameras for Surveillance
CCTVs let you monitor your property from anywhere, and it also acts as a deterrent to any potential intruder since they are pretty noticeable.
Best Ways to Place CCTV Cameras:
- Cover all entry points: Place cameras at doors, windows, and driveways.
- Use Night Vision Cameras: These ensure your home is monitored even at low-light conditions.
- Remote Access: Let a camera allow you to access footage remotely so you can check upon your property from any place using your mobile phone.
Many CCTV systems allow you to purchase optional storage plans so that you can keep records of footage in case they are ever needed later.
Explore some of the Best CCTV Cameras for Home Surveillance Here!
8. Use a Mail Hold Service to Avoid Suspicious Pileups
An overflowing mailbox is a surefire sign that nobody’s home. Fortunately, most postal services offer a mail hold option that allows you to pause delivery while away.
How to Set Up Mail Hold:
- Request a Mail Hold Online: With services like the USPS, you can hold your mail for a period of up to 30 days.
- Request a Neighbor to Collect Packages: If you are expecting packages, then you can reroute them to a good friend or neighbor
- Newspapers and Flyers: These can also pile up and if these are left on your property, then you can request a neighbor to take them away
9. Window Locks and Security Film
Securing your windows adds an extra layer of protection. Window locks make the entry much more difficult, and security film applied to the glass is a way to reinforce and prevent it from shattering.
Types of Security Film:
- Tinted films: They limit the visibility and allow privacy.
- Shatterproof films: They prevent easy glass breakage that could allow for a quick break-in.
- Security films are relatively inexpensive and can be installed on most types of windows.
10. Consider Using a Property Management Service
For owners of holiday homes not resident locally, some form of property management service is quite indispensable. They take on the simple maintenance and check-ins, see to security checks, and handle everything with the greatest of ease.
Benefits of Property Management Services:
- Regular Inspections: Periodic visits keep your property in the best state by pointing out issues way ahead of time.
- Security Checks: Many offer services whereby regular security checks are made and systems are installed for monitoring.
- Emergency Response: They will be able to handle repairs if something goes wrong or interact with law enforcement agencies.
Consider trusted services that have positive reviews and experience with vacation properties for a hands-off experience.
Conclusion on the Best Holiday Home Security Tips
Protecting a vacation home is a mix of some strategic investments and smart planning. Be it the fixation of electronic security systems or securing entry points, every step taken improves the safety of your home dramatically. Here are the best holiday home security tips that you must follow for not only protecting your property but also your peace of mind.
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