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Is your home safe when you're on a holiday?

Draw up a checklist and take care of your home before you take a vacation

A LITTLE CARE Don't compromise on safety

During the last-minute rush to leave on a vacation, many people are so taken up by their travel plans they fail to ensure the security of their homes when they are away. Make sure to take some time to go through your checklist before you depart so that you can get back to a safe and secure home.

* It is best to think about securing your house several days before your travel date. Avoid discussing holiday plans in the presence of strangers — you may end up letting them have details of your absence from home.

* Cancel milk and newspaper deliveries. Lock all jewellery, important documents, currency and other valuable portables in a safe deposit box.

* Ensure personal and home insurance policies are up-to-date. If any premium payment is due during your vacation time, make necessary arrangements.

* Lock all windows and doors. You can air the house out when you return.

* If your house has sliding glass doors, be sure to leave them locked and use a professional blocking system. If your windows are `sliders', consider a blocking device for them too.

* Unplug `quick-on' appliances such as televisions or PCs before you leave. Your TV and PC may have a power system that constantly draws current, even when turned off to allow for quick start-up. `Quick-on' systems can cause fires, even when turned off.

* Switch on a home security system if you have one. Set several lamps on a variable lighting schedule to give the appearance that the house is occupied.

* Unplug any lamps, radios, computers and other devices not related to home security.

* Ask a friend or colleague to check your residence periodically. Leave a spare house key with them, in case you need someone to access something in your house while you are on vacation.

* Use a metal mesh to block the drains inside the bathroom. That will keep pests and rodents away. Drain your water system and shut the water valve to minimise damage that could be caused by burst pipes.

* Leave all travel details and contact number with the neighbour so that they can call you in case of an emergency.

* If you are leaving your car at home, park it in the garage, lock it and set the security system. And, lock the garage door.

* If you normally leave your valuable pedal cycles, all-terrain bikes or similar items in your shed, consider putting them in the house.

* And just before you set off, spend a couple of minutes going through the checklist to see if you've done all you have to. It's worth it.

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