Summer often means holidays, family visits, days out and more time spent away from home. Whether you are travelling for two weeks or heading out for the afternoon, taking a few simple precautions can help protect your property and give you greater peace of mind.
At the Blue Lamp Trust, we help older and vulnerable people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight feel safer and more confident in their homes. Working closely with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, we know that small, practical changes can make a meaningful difference.
Home security does not need to be complicated or expensive. Before you leave, take a few minutes to check your doors, windows, valuables, alarms and outdoor buildings.
Why should you check your home before going away?
When preparing for a holiday, it is easy to focus on packing, travel arrangements and everything you need to take with you.
However, an unlocked window, visible valuables, parcels outside or an overflowing post-box can make it more obvious that nobody is home. Even during a short day trip, an open window or unsecured door may provide an opportunity for someone to enter.
Creating a simple leaving-home routine can help ensure important checks are not forgotten. Before you lock the front door, walk through each room and check that the property is secure.
Lock every door and window
Check that all external doors and windows are fully closed and locked, including upstairs windows, conservatory doors, side entrances and rooms that are not used regularly.
Do not assume that an upstairs window cannot be reached. Ladders, bins, walls and garden furniture may provide access, so these should be stored or positioned securely.
During warm weather, it can be tempting to leave windows open for ventilation. Always close and lock them when the property is empty, even if you are only leaving for a short time.
If your door has a multi-point locking system, lift the handle and turn the key fully. Simply pulling the door closed may not engage all the locking points.
Keep keys and valuables secure
Avoid leaving laptops, tablets, handbags, wallets, jewellery or other valuable belongings where they can be seen through a window.
Keys should be kept away from letterboxes, cat flaps and accessible windows. This is particularly important for car keys, as someone may be able to reach inside or use an object to hook them.
Do not leave a spare key beneath a doormat, plant pot or garden ornament, as these are obvious hiding places. Instead, leave it with a trusted neighbour, friend or relative—or, even better, store it securely in a professionally installed key safe so authorised people can access the property safely when needed.
Jewellery and cash should not be stored in predictable places such as bedside drawers, dressing tables or bedroom wardrobes. Where possible, keep high-value belongings in a suitable home safe that is securely fixed to a solid wall or floor and positioned discreetly away from the bedroom.
It is also sensible to photograph valuable belongings, record serial numbers and keep receipts or valuations somewhere secure. This can help with identification, insurance claims and the recovery of property if anything is stolen.
Help your home appear occupied
Small signs of normal activity can make a property look occupied while you are away.
You could:
- Use timer switches or smart plugs to turn lights on during the evening.
- Ask a trusted neighbour to collect post and move bins.
- Pause regular newspaper or milk deliveries.
- Avoid leaving parcels or deliveries outside.
- Ask someone you trust to check the property occasionally.
- Use suitable outdoor sensor lighting.
- Use a TV simulator.
Set lights to come on at realistic times rather than leaving them on continuously. A trusted neighbour may also be able to open and close curtains, park on your driveway or let you know if they notice anything unusual.
Secure sheds, garages and outdoor areas
Home security should extend beyond the main house.
Check that sheds, garages, gates and outdoor storage areas are locked. Bicycles, power tools and gardening equipment should be secured and kept out of sight wherever possible.
Tools and ladders left outside could be used to gain entry to another part of the property. Store tools inside a secure box or locker, secure bicycles to a ground anchor or lockable stand and lock side gates to restrict access to the rear of your home.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary recommends securing tools inside a locker or box and fixing bicycles to the ground or a lockable stand within a locked shed or garage.
Think before sharing your holiday online
Sharing photographs and updates can be part of the enjoyment of a holiday, but public posts may reveal that your home is currently empty.
Check your account privacy settings and consider waiting until you return before sharing:
- Holiday dates or travel plans.
- Airport, ferry or cruise-terminal check-ins.
- Photographs showing that you are away.
- Your live location.
- Images of boarding passes or booking details.
Even with privacy settings in place, it can be difficult to control who sees or shares a post. It is also worth speaking to children and other family members about what they share publicly while you are away.
You can still enjoy sharing your summer memories without advertising your absence in real time.
Complete a quick fire-safety check
Keeping your home safe is not only about preventing burglary. Before going away, take a few minutes to reduce potential fire risks too.
Before leaving, check that cooking appliances and non-essential electrical items are switched off. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service advises turning off electrical appliances when they are not in use, especially before leaving the house, apart from appliances designed to remain on, such as fridges and freezers. It also recommends having at least one working smoke alarm on every level of the home and testing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms regularly.
Ask someone you trust to help
For a longer trip, ask a trusted neighbour, friend or family member to check your home occasionally.
They could collect post, remove unexpected deliveries, check for damage or signs of attempted entry and contact you if they notice anything unusual.
Avoid leaving keys in an unsecured place. Where relatives, carers or approved professionals regularly need access, a properly installed key safe may be more appropriate than leaving a loose spare key outside.
It is also worth reviewing your home-insurance policy before a longer holiday. Some insurers have conditions relating to properties that are left empty for a certain length of time, such as arranging regular checks or notifying the insurer.
Could someone you know benefit from a Safe Home visit?
For some residents, checking and improving home security can feel difficult or overwhelming. Mobility, health, cost or concerns following a previous incident may make it harder to complete safety improvements without support.
The Blue Lamp Trust’s Safe Home service provides free home safety visits for eligible older and vulnerable residents throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
During a visit, a trained, police-vetted Safety Technician completes a home security and fire-safety assessment, provides personalised advice and may supply and install appropriate equipment. This can include:
- Door and window locks.
- Door chains and spyholes.
- Long-life smoke alarms.
- Carbon monoxide detectors.
Our technicians take the time to understand the resident, their home and any concerns they may have. The aim is not only to improve physical safety, but to help people feel safer, more confident and better supported in their own homes.
The team can also provide guidance on additional safety measures, including approved key safes and video doorbells. These products may carry a charge, while installation and the wider Safe Home visit remain free.
A Safe Home visit can provide reassurance not only for the resident, but also for family members, friends, carers and professionals supporting them.
Enjoy your summer with greater peace of mind
Whether you are travelling abroad, visiting family or enjoying a day out, a few simple checks can help protect your home.
Before closing the front door, remember:
Lock it. Hide it. Check it.
Lock your doors, windows, gates and outdoor buildings. Hide keys and valuables away from view and reach. Check your alarms, appliances and arrangements for while you are away.
To learn more about the Blue Lamp Trust’s Safe Home service or refer an eligible resident in Hampshire or the Isle of Wight, visit our Make a Referral page.
