How to secure your home before you go on holiday

Stephen Wylde • April 22, 2021

It’s no secret that we all lead very hectic lives and, before the pandemic, we could book holidays abroad, or here in the UK, to take a break from the stresses and challenges of everyday life.

But, due to multiple national lockdowns and the new £5,000 fine for travelling outside of the UK without a valid reason, we haven’t been able to dip our toes in the pool, top up our tans on the beach or do any sightseeing for quite some time.

Although foreign leisure trips are currently banned until at least 17 May – and holidays within the UK will be allowed no sooner than 12 April – now is the ideal time to ensure that your home is protected for when the time (finally) comes. And that’s why our Newcastle locksmiths thought they’d share their top tips.

Pre-holiday security checklist:


1.A house sitter

The last thing you want to be doing on holiday is worrying about your house. If possible, ask someone to stay over and keep an eye on the place while you’re away. Not only will this put your mind at ease, but your property will also be occupied which makes it less attractive to opportunists.


2. Give someone a key

It could be a friend or family member that lives nearby or drives past your house on their way home from work. Perhaps you have a trustworthy neighbour that you wouldn’t mind giving your keys to so they can bob in and out of the house to open the curtains, collect mail or water your plants? Either way, it’ll fool thieves into thinking that there is someone home.


3. Conceal items of value

It would be impractical to hide the entire contents of your home when you go on holiday, but there are a number of steps you can take to put burglars off targeting your home. For example, you could use net curtains or blinds to obscure the view to an outsider and make sure that expensive jewellery or heirlooms are insured and locked away securely. You’ll be pleased to know that, aside from specialising in lockouts and repairs, our Newcastle locksmiths can install security safes too.


4. Cancel subscriptions

Do you usually have your daily newspaper delivered to your door? Perhaps the milkman brings fresh milk every morning? Before you go on holiday, remember to cancel them for the duration of your trip. Burglars are savvy and will cotton on that you’re not home if there are a couple of milk bottles on the doorstep and newspapers hanging out of your letterbox.


5. Secure your vehicle

If you’re going abroad, the chances are you’ll be leaving your car at home and getting a taxi to the airport, right? If this is the case, you need to make sure that your vehicle is locked (in the garage if you have one) and the keys stored out of sight. We find that many people opt to use a hidden safe whilst others leave them with someone they trust.


6. Move your spare keys

Our locksmiths in Newcastle specialise in key cutting . Having a spare key is always handy and makes it easier if you share your house with others. We appreciate that keeping a spare key tucked under the mat or a plant pot is convenient too, but these are the first places unwelcome guests will look before they attempt to break-in. So, as a general rule of thumb, never leave a spare key outside – especially while you’re on vacation. Instead, ask a family member, friend or neighbour, to keep hold of it for you.


7. Always do a final check

Have you ever had that niggling feeling…did I lock the door? Let’s face it, preparing for a holiday is a nightmare and there are 101 things to remember – like passports, swimwear, phone chargers, etc. with that said, it’s a good idea to give yourself more than enough time on the day of departure so you can double-check the windows are closed, timers are set, and valuables are stowed securely, before heading out of the door and locking it behind you.

Get in touch

For more tips and advice on securing your property before it’s time to jet off into the sunshine, feel free to call 0191 238 6000. We are always on hand and will gladly share our expertise. And, remember, if you need to hire a locksmith in Newcastle , we offer a 24-hour emergency call-out service and pride ourselves on offering some of the most affordable rates around.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How can you protect your home when you go on holiday?

    There are lots of ways to protect your home so you can focus on enjoying your holiday. 


    Firstly, consider getting a CCTV system. This is a great deterrent because burglars are far less likely to target a home where they could be seen on camera.


    If they do, there’ll be a higher chance of catching them and potentially recovering your stolen items.

    Many CCTV systems connect to your phone, so you can look through your cameras from anywhere for that extra peace of mind. 


    If your budget doesn’t stretch this far, a camera doorbell is a good alternative.


    There are plenty of doorbell cameras that record when they detect movement around your front door. 


    Next, make sure your house alarm is working.

    Make sure sensors are securely fixed and detect movement throughout the room. You could add new sensors to rooms or areas that don’t have them, by your back door or large windows for example. 


    An alarm system can be a good deterrent to prevent burglaries, or at least reduce the amount of time a burglar is in your home as if they think the police have been called. 


    And finally, you should test the locks on your doors and windows. A damaged lock creates a weak point that a burglar could easily overpower. If your lock is loose, stiff or damaged, get a locksmith to have a look. They will be able to either fix the lock or fit a replacement, so you can go on holiday knowing your home is protected. 


  • Why should you get a spare key before going on holiday?

    Spare keys prove themselves to be useful in several situations, but one of the most common uses of a spare key is to provide a trusted relative or friend with access to your home whilst you’re on holiday.


    Whether you’re just going away for a weekend, or are spending a couple of months travelling, knowing someone you trust has access to your home should anything go wrong is a massive relief. 


    They can also make it seem like someone is home – this will likely reduce the chances of a burglar attempting to enter your home. 


    For example, if you’re going away for longer than a weekend, your post will likely build up, making it obvious to an outsider that you’re away. The person you give your spare key to can pop round and move your post away from your front door, putting it out of sight and giving the illusion someone is home. 


    They could even take this a step further and turn different lights on or close your curtains of a night. These small changes within your home will make it seem like someone is home to anyone watching. 


  • How long does it take to get a spare key?

    So, you’re going on holiday soon and haven’t got a spare house key to pass to someone? 

    Don’t worry. 


    Getting a spare key cut is straightforward and doesn’t take long at all, around 5 minutes for most keys and up to 15 minutes for more high security keys. 


    First, you need to locate your local locksmith – make sure to choose a locksmith that is a member of the Master Locksmith Association to ensure the work is carried out to the highest of standards by a professional. 


    Now you need to visit your locksmith to get your front door key duplicated. 


    The locksmith will use a machine called a duplicator. They will place your original key on one side of the machine with a blank key being placed on the other. A blade will then trace your key, cutting the exact same pattern into the blank key. Once the blank key has been cut, they will remove any sharp edges. 


  • How much does a spare key cost?

    The price of your spare key depends on the type of key required.


    Simple cylinder keys cost as little as £4 to be cut provided you have the original to hand whereas more high security keys can cost upwards of £10 to duplicate.


    Unfortunately, the locksmith industry in the UK isn’t regulated. Therefore, prices may vary depending on where you go. This also means there are many con artists out here imitating locksmiths.

     

    Because of this, it’s advised you choose a locksmith that is a member of the Master Locksmith Association. This way you can be assured you’re dealing with a legitimate locksmith who will always work to the highest of standards. 


    If you’re looking for a locksmith in Newcastle, get in touch. Our expert locksmiths will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Simply call us on 0191 238 6000. 


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