How to keep your home safe while you’re travelling

Now in the middle of winter, many Australians are whisking themselves away to the sunny climates of Europe.

We’re not jealous at all. We bloody LOVE wearing six layers and drinking scolding hot tea just to keep our body temperatures above freezing in our icy office.

Just kidding, our FOMO is through the ROOF.

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Last year, the Australian Federation of Travel Agents reported over 2.6 million Australians travelled outbound during winter.

Since so many of us are travelling over 16,000 kilometres and leaving homes vacant for 2-4 weeks at a time, there are some easy steps we can take to make sure our most treasured possessions remain as safe as possible.

Ring, Australia’s leading smart home security company, has curated an easy checklist for around the home – giving you the freedom to completely immerse yourself in all the lovely places we’d MUCH rather be right now.

Eliminate hiding spots

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Thick shrubbery and tall plants are great ways to provide some extra privacy for you and your home but they also provide great hiding spots for burglars lurking in your yard.

Make sure your yard is always trimmed and fully visible from the street and light up any dark spots with floodlights or security cameras.

Set smart home timers

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Unlike normal timers, smart home timers allow you to set up your lights on alternating, random schedules, giving the impression you have a full and busy house, and it’s not obvious you aren’t home.

Organise for a mail hold

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When there is lots of mail piling up on your doorstep or in your letterbox, it looks obvious that you are away. Asking your neighbours and friends to monitor and collect mail will ensure your home doesn’t look vacant.

Alternatively, Australia Post offers a unique service allowing households to hold mail for up to 12 months.

Get your neighbour to park in your driveway

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This small step ensures it always looks like someone is home, deterring any tempted burglars.

Organise a house sitter

If you don’t have a friend who can house sit, Australian house sitting companies such as House Sitters Australia and Your Home My Home provide convenient services.

Don’t brag on social

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Social media oversharing could leave your home vulnerable to break-in – pictures of your getaway destination are perfect for digital-savvy thieves to see you aren’t home.

Wait until you return home before talking about it on social media, and if you absolutely need to share your plans, do it with a private group of people you can trust.

Invest in smart security

New technology is making it easier to monitor homes whilst on holiday – providing motion sensored alerts from anyone lurking around or of packages received whilst away.

Richard Branson, one of Ring’s biggest backers, actually first came across Ring when someone staying on his island directed a delivery man to leave a package via his Ring app on his phone.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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