Image Credit: Google Images

Holiday season is in full swing and lots of us are furiously packing our cutest cozzies and funkiest flip flops and jetting off to sunnier climes.

But when we are in our holiday homes-from-home, what happens to our own castles back at base? You can read all about my tips in our fave holiday destination, Florida, here (but I’m not telling you when we go!!!)

So many people sadly come back to a plundered palace when they return, fresh and invigorated from a wonderful break, only to be met with trauma.

Image Credit – Google Images

There so many ways to secure your home but I thought I’d share my top 5 with you.

1. DO NOT ANNOUNCE YOUR HOLIBOBS ON FACEBOOK!!!!!!

Uh duuuuur! It seem obvious but scores of people every day check themselves in to some airport/train station/ferryport in all their photographic glory, announcing the beginning of their glorious one/two week break, giving potential ne’er do-wells carte blanche to ransack their empty house.

2. ENSURE YOU LEAVE YOUR HOME LOOKING LIVED IN.

If you are borderline OCD like me, you will leave the house spot on anyway, but it’s a really good idea to cut the grass, get a neighbour to water your plants and remove free newspapers from your letterbox whilst gone. Also a timer switch for lights works wonders and never leave all the blinds closed – a dead giveaway!

3. DON’T LEAVE VALUABLES ON DISPLAY

If you do leave the Ipad behind, please make sure it’s not in full view from outside your lounge window! Any lustworty items you are lucky enough to own – keep ’em covered! Obviously we should have freedom with our own things, in our own homes, but you don’t give a snake a mouse and not expect it to scoff it!!!

4. SWITCH OFF AT THE MAINS!

Electrical faults are still at the heart of many house fires. Don’t leave it to chance and make sure you not only save yourself money while away but also reduce the risk of your home going up in flames by switching off the power at source. In the same vain, don’t leave that leaky pipe to fester – get it sorted before you go or you may be swimming back in the door!

5. MAKE SURE YOUR HOME INSURANCE IS UP TO DATE

Don’t assume your insurer will auto-renew your policy! It is your responsibility to ensure you are up to date with all necessary home insurance paperwork. Also, check you are covered for potential house-sitter calamities, or if you have someone popping in to look after pets. Double check your level of cover is adequate for your precious contents.