Community Safety Wardens in Caerphilly County Borough have been distributing leaflets on home security for holidaymakers.
They have dropped leaflets at local travel agents ,who will be offering them to their customers.
The leaflet, produced by the Home Office, gives practical tips on what people can do before they go away on holiday to help keep their homes and property safe.
This includes cancelling milk and newspaper deliveries, making your home look like someone is living in it by using automatic timer switches to turn lights on when it goes dark, and ensuring that all windows and doors are locked.
It also encourages people to ask neighbours to help, by moving post or parking their car on your driveway while you are away.
Councillor Lyn Ackerman, cabinet member for the environment said: “This may seem like common sense advice but by following these tips, your house and belongings will be safer and you can relax and enjoy your holiday more, knowing you have done everything you can to ensure that you’ll find your home as you left it on your return.
“We are grateful to many of the travel agents across the county borough for supporting this campaign, and for helping us to get the advice directly to those going away.”
Home security top tips for travellers
- Make sure your home looks occupied. Ideally ask a trusted friend or neighbour to look after it (collecting mail, watering plants etc). Let them have a spare key although don’t put your name and address on the key.
- Don’t leave your curtains closed in the daytime as this shows the house is empty.
- Use automatic timer-switches to turn your lights on when it goes dark.
- Cancel any regular deliveries such as newspapers and milk.
- Avoid discussing holiday plans where strangers may hear details of your absence from home.
- Uncollected mail is a sign that you are away. The Royal Mail’s ‘Keepsafe’ service will keep your mail for up to two months while you are away.
- Consider leaving important documents and valuable items with other family members or a bank. Or lock them in a safe.
- Do not put your home address on your luggage when you are travelling to your holiday destination.
- Finally, don’t forget to lock all external doors and windows. If you have a burglar alarm, make sure it is set.