If you’re heading off on a long weekend trip this spring bank holiday or taking advantage of the half term to get away with the family, it’s important to remember to protect your home while you’re away. Sumier Foster-Shah, Customer Service Manager at ERA, shares the simple steps that you can take to make sure you have peace of mind while your away from your property, and properly enjoy your holiday!

Do a full security check

“Make a checklist that covers your whole home and ensure you tick off every point before you go away. Make sure your front door, back door and windows are all properly locked, and double check all upstairs windows are closed and secured. “Don’t forget other potential access points too, like your garage. With ERA’s smart alarm kits, you can now connect multiple Hubs through a single app, so you can monitor your home and garage from one place while you’re away.

Add visual deterrents

“Visuals deterrents are effective in discouraging potential burglars – if your property looks difficult to enter, they are much less likely to try. Ensure you have quality locks on all windows and doors.

“An alarm siren can prove an extremely effective visual deterrent – ERA’s live alarm siren has always on flashing lights to demonstrate to potential intruders that the siren is live, as well as strobe lights which will flash if the alarm is triggered.

“A replica siren can prove useful too; I’d recommend having a live siren at the front of your property and a replica siren at the back, adding an extra layer of security.

Don’t forget the garden

“Garden burglaries are on the rise, so it’s important to treat garden security seriously. Make sure your garden gate is properly secured, and put away any outdoor furniture, bikes or barbeques before you go away.

“Garden sheds can be a tempting proposition for potential thieves – many homeowners will store a lot of valuable equipment there, including expensive garden and power tools. Make sure your shed door and lock are both high quality and add an extra padlock if needed.

Rely on your local community

If you have a trusted friend or neighbour nearby, they can help you keep your home safe while you enjoy your time away. Ask them to visit your home to check the post and water the plants, as well as walking around and switching on the lights in different rooms. Making the house look occupied is one of the most effective ways of deterring opportunists.

To learn more about ERA’s range of smart home security solutions, visit https://eraprotect.com