Going on holiday – especially after the year we’ve all endured – can certainly peak excitement levels, but let’s not let the festive fever get the better of us. Take note of the following tips to ensure the safety of your belongings this holiday season and remember that BARKER ASSIST is always just a call away:
- Test your security system (alarms, electric fence, gate motor, backup battery, panic buttons etc.)
- Ensure that your security company receives every signal and test signals at least 5 minutes apart.
- Ensure your garden is tidy and manicured before your departure so it looks as if someone is there maintaining it.
- Ensure your garage door or front gate is secure.
- Ensure that your CCTV system and hard drive are effectively operational.
- Change your gate keypad or access codes.
- Repair and check all motion lights, change globes where needed and test timers on lights.
- Repair all leaks from pipes that may be dripping.
- Cut back the foliage on your electric fence.
- Alert your security company and / or community patrol that you’re going away.
- Ask your neighbour to collect your mail and be cognisant of any suspicious activity.
- Turn off your intercom’s bell so that anyone ringing it will feel unsure about whether you are home or not.
- Don’t advertise to the world that you’re going away, especially on social media.
- Have your car assessed before leaving on a long road trip.
- Keep convenient break-and-enter tools out of sight and out of reach.
- Secure all windows and doors.
- Keep track of all your house keys and take all your spares with you.
- Pull all the plugs to reduce your energy bill and protect your electrical appliances from power surges.
- Leave curtains and blinds open.
- Cancel newspapers and any other regular deliveries.
- Take out adequate travel insurance.
- Don’t state your home address on a luggage label. Rather place a note inside the lid or use an alternative address such as your office or golf club, where you can be found if lost.
- Keep your valuables out of sight.
- Take out ALL RISK cover for electronics and other items you wish to take away with you.
- Secure your Wi-Fi network. Thieves can steal your personal information by using high-tech software tools that can seamlessly run hundreds of passwords and username combinations.
To secure your WIFI network remember these tips:
- Keep your password unique and complex
- Enable your router’s firewall
- Change the name of your network
- Act on your router’s firmware updates
- Use encryption
- Set your network to WPA2 Personal