10 Security Tips to Keep Your Home Safe This Holidays

The Christmas and New Year season is a time for celebration, connection, and often a bit of travel. Whether you're heading out for the day to visit family or leaving town for an extended holiday, it's important to make sure your home is properly secured.

Unfortunately, the holiday period is also one of the busiest times of year for break‑ins, with opportunistic burglars taking advantage of empty homes and predictable routines. A little preparation before you leave can go a long way toward keeping your home safe and your holidays stress‑free.

Here are ten practical, up‑to‑date security tips to help protect your home this holiday season.

1. Ensure Your Security Systems Are Fully Functional

Before you pack the car, take the time to make sure your security systems are working exactly as they should.

• Test your alarm system: Arm the system and walk through your home to ensure all sensors trigger correctly. If something doesn’t respond as expected, have it checked before you leave.
• Check your cameras: Confirm your CCTV system is recording properly and that footage is clear. A quick playback check can help identify issues early.
• Clean camera lenses: Dust, salt spray, and grime can significantly reduce image quality — especially at night.
• Activate deterrent features: If you have active deterrence cameras, test the lights and audible warnings so they’re ready if needed.

2. Make Your Home Look Occupied

Homes that appear vacant are far more attractive to burglars. Creating the illusion that someone is home can be a powerful deterrent.

• Use timers or smart automation: Lights, TVs or speakers turning on and off at different times can make a home look lived-in. This can be achieved easily and controlled via an app using a system like the Hikvision AX PRO or Inner Range Inception.
• Manage mail and deliveries: Ask a neighbour, friend or family member to collect mail and packages so they don't pile up.
• Maintain lawns and gardens: Overgrown lawns can signal an extended absence. Arrange for basic upkeep while you're away.

3. Be Cautious on Social Media

Sharing holiday plans or posting travel photos in real time can unintentionally tell the world your home is empty.

• Avoid posting travel details until you're back home.
• Check the privacy settings on your social media accounts.
• Ask friends and family not to tag your location while you're away.

4. Strengthen Entry Points

Most break-ins happen through doors and windows, so these areas deserve extra attention.

• Lock everything: Double-check all doors, windows, garage doors and site gates.
• Reinforce sliding doors: A simple rod or dowel in the track can help prevent forced entry.
• Consider access control: Access control (or smart locks) can allow you to check and control the door 

5. Enlist Help from Trusted Neighbours

Good neighbours can be one of the best security tools you have.

• Let them know you'll be away and ask them to keep an eye out.
• Leave contact details in case anything looks unusual.
• If you're comfortable, consider giving them limited access to your security system so they can quickly check cameras or alerts.

6. Secure Your Valuables

Reducing temptation can help reduce risk.

• Store valuables safely: Jewellery, important documents and small high-value items should be kept in a safe. If you don't have a safe, consider storing them in the ceiling crawl-space while you're away. Burglars rarely check up there.
• Be mindful with curtains: Closing curtains in key rooms can prevent prying eyes, while still allowing some areas to look naturally occupied.

7. Consider Professional Monitoring with Video Alarm Verification

If you're travelling or are away from home for long periods, professional monitoring can add an extra layer of protection.

Modern monitored systems don't just rely on alarm triggers. With Video Alarm Verification (VAV), cameras can detect human intrusions using AI, allowing our trained monitoring operators to visually confirm a genuine intrusion.

This means:

• False alarms are drastically reduced.
• Operators can verify suspicious activity in real time.
• Police will only respond to a visually verified intrusion.

8. Keep Outdoor Areas Well-Lit

Good lighting makes it harder for intruders to approach unnoticed.

• Install motion-activated lights around entrances and darker areas.
• Where possible, we can link your lighting to your alarm or camera system so lights activate automatically during an alert.

9. Secure Outdoor Items

Outdoor items are often overlooked but can be tempting targets or even used to gain access.

• Lock your shed.
• Secure (or remove) ladders, tools and large decorations.
• Make sure outdoor furniture can't be easily moved to access high windows or balconies.

10. Do a Final Walkthrough Before Your Leave

Just before you go:

• Confirm alarms are armed and cameras are active.
• Make sure all deterrent features are enabled.
• Secure spare keys. Never leave them in obvious hiding spots.
• Bonus tip: Turn off or unplug non-essential electronics to reduce fire risk.