The Easter bunny is almost here. And so is your family that’s coming to visit. The kids are off from school and amongst all the fuss, it’s highly likely that ‘safety tips for a full house’ may have slipped your mind.
While we realise you are busy cooking and cleaning and working out exactly how you’re going to entertain everyone, it’s also important that you take time to consider the safety of your home and family during this busy holiday period.
Whether you’re expecting visitors or you’re travelling these holidays, here’s our Simple 5 Step Guide to help you keep your family and visitors safe this Easter.
Step 1 – Plan Ahead
It may sound simple, but even the process of thinking about potential security threats during the holiday season will develop your awareness. An increased awareness will help you to put the necessary steps in place to prevent or at least minimise the possibility of a home invasion.
If you’re travelling away from home this Easter, here’s a few tips to keep your home safe:
- The first one sounds a bit obvious, but sometimes we need reminding…lock all your doors and windows!
- Let your neighbours know you’re away, so if they see anyone around your house they’ll know they’re not meant to be there.
- If you’re away for a longer period of time, have someone house sit or at least pop round a few times a week to take out the bins (keep up appearances) and make sure mail is collected.
- Before you head out, put away ladders, trim back branches and make sure there’s nothing that can assist with break ins and all outdoor valuables are locked away.
Step 2 – Be Active
If you’re staying home, it still doesn’t mean you won’t be a target to thieves and burglars. We know that home maintenance isn’t going to be at the top of your list during holidays, but letting your home look awry can make it look like you’re not home.
- Trim your trees and make sure your lawn looks maintained.
- Collect your mail as normal – don’t let it pile up!
- If you’re making any big purchases over the break, make sure you cut up boxes so that when the bin goes out you’re not showing off your big new expensive purchases.
Step 3 – Communicate Your Expectations
If you’ve got family and friends staying over, make sure they know the rules! They might be all loosey-goosey with locking doors and windows at their place, but make sure they know that’s not the case at yours.
Don’t wait until they slip up to let them know either (because we don’t want to start a fight). From the moment they walk in the front door, just gently remind them to ‘lock the door behind them’. And make sure to announce before you go out and when everyone sits around the table for dinner that you’re going to do a quick check of the doors and windows.
They might think you’re being a bit over the top, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Step 4 – Maintain Order
When friends or family come to stay, and your house is bustling with activity, your home can become prone to break-ins. It can often seem like there has already been a home invasion with scattered belongings and family members camping out in common areas!
Maintaining your regular routines around locking your doors and windows, keeping your belongings safely indoors, and collecting your junk mail as per usual, will help to deter burglars.
Keeping your home as decluttered and organised is a great way to help you notice if there has been any unusual activity throughout your home.
Step 5 – Report Unusual Activity
If you believe you have been burgled or you have information about unusual activity, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form after hours.
Bonus Step 6 – Install Crimsafe Security Screens
One of the best ways to protect your home long term is to have security screens installed. Davcon offers a huge range of Crimsafe security screens (the toughest on the market) that will protect your home and family.
