We all know the shenanigans that ensued when McCauley Culkin was left alone in the family home. And as much as his antics make for great viewing, it’s not something you’d want to see come to life in your own home when you head off for a well-earned break.
For many of us, the end of year break is likely to be the first time we’ve left our homes unattended in a very long time. That’s a rather scary thought, isn’t it?
It’s not just our pets we might feel anxious about leaving at a boarding kennel while we take our first vacation in what feels like forever, but also our homes – the place we’ve come to think of as our safe haven while we’ve been bunkered down during lockdown.
So, before you channel the Griswolds and hit the road for some much-needed R&R, it’s important to ask yourself if your beloved home will be safe and sound when you and the family disappear into the horizon (and also consider where you stand with your home insurance).
Lock it up
Locking windows and doors (including garages) might seem like obvious advice, but you’d be amazed how many people set off on holidays without checking that points of entry to the home are secured. Don’t forget to check kids’ bedroom windows and doors that you mightn’t use often. Lock up dog and cat flaps too and make sure you deadlock when you leave.
Lock it away
If you have high value smaller items like jewellery that you won’t be taking with you, you might want to consider investing in a personal safe. Like the ones you find in most good hotel rooms, these provide an extra layer of defence for high-value personal belongings. If you’re not yet brave enough to be venturing overseas this summer, passports and other important personal documentation can be kept in a home safe. And if you’re looking for Fort Knox-levels of security, you may want to consider leaving your most valued possessions in a safety deposit box at your local bank.
Keep an eye on it
One of the great things about living in the digital age is the abundance of smart home video technology that’s available. From video doorbells to CCTV systems, there’s something to suit all budgets, depending on how much surveillance you’re after. Video will give you a bird’s eye view of your home so you can keep an eye on it from afar (all from the convenience of your mobile phone).
If video is not your thing, old-fashioned people surveillance is pretty good too. You might have a family member, friend, or neighbour you trust who can pop by to check that all is in order while you’re away. Nothing beats a vigilant ‘human’ for security checks.
Re-direct or collect
A letterbox overflowing with mail is a sure sign that no one is home. Although snail-mail is scarce these days, it’s a good idea to think about what might land in your letter box while you’re away. Now might be the time to move all your bills to paperless or organise a temporary mail re-direct. Given mail delays, think about putting the brakes on any online purchases you won’t be around to sign for. Again, that trusted human might be key to collecting mail, and cleaning out those pesky boxing day sale catalogues from your letterbox. Nothing to see here would-be burglars!
Alarm it
Home security systems have come a long way in recent years and are a far cry from the alarms that would terrorise neighbours for hours on end with shrill screams. With many DIY solutions in market, installing an alarm system might be easier than you think. Likewise, reputable security companies will be able to advise you on the systems best suited to your needs.
Automate it
Home automation is pretty clever these days and might be used to keep the home fires burning while you’re not there. Automation can make your home look lived in, even when it’s not. From automating lighting, turning on radios to play during the day, and setting up watering systems, your home can give the appearance of looking lived in, even if it’s not.
Insure it
Last but definitely not least is insurance. While many of us have home and contents insurance, not everyone has the right level of cover in place. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission estimates that up to 80 percent of homeowners are underinsured.* That’s a whopping figure. There are some great online calculators out there to give you an idea of whether or not you are adequately insured.
A sweet deal from Honey Insurance
Our friends at Honey are all about helping to protect your home by being the first in Australia to offer proactive home insurance. This new approach to home insurance includes smart home sensors that come complimentary with a home and contents policy; these devices are designed to help prevent avoidable accidents, especially when you're away from your home while giving you the added benefit of a reduced policy premium for helping to avoid claims. Find out more about how Honey's smart sensors cleverly integrated with your home insurance can help you reduce risk and save eating into your holiday funds here.
Don’t forget to do a head count!
And finally, in your haste to get out the door and hit the road, don’t forget to do a quick tally to ensure you haven’t left anyone ‘home alone’!
Enjoy your hard-earned break this summer.
*Based on this report released by ASIC.
A note about Honey: a new breed of insurance provider, Honey is built with the support of visionary Aussie companies and CEOs – and that includes Metricon and our own CEO. As such, Metricon does receive revenue through the provision of insurance via Honey. Find out more and meet the team behind Honey here.