Security experts reveal top tips to keep your home safe this summer

During the summer holidays, your home is left susceptible to opportunistic thieves. Despite this rise in threat, data found that only 36% of holidaymakers took steps to prepare their property the day or even hours before they jet off.

So the experts at ADT have revealed their top tips for holidaymakers leaving their homes unattended this summer:

1. Empty milk bottles with a note

If you regularly receive a milk delivery, then it may be a good idea to pause your order before departing for your holiday. The best way to do this is by contacting your milk delivery service directly, rather than leaving empty milk bottles with a note attached. This is a common mistake and can often be picked up by potential thieves.

2. Parcels building up

Expecting deliveries while you’re away? Amazon or Hermes delivery drivers may leave your parcels in what they consider a ‘safe place’, like at the side of your property, assuming you’ll be home shortly to pick it up. Even though this is standard practice, a pile of parcels is a clear indication to burglars that you’re on holiday. To avoid any break-ins or suspicious activity, ask a neighbour to collect and hold on to any parcels for you until you’re back home.  

3. Stacks of post

During your time on holiday, the accumulation of post in your mailbox or newspapers in your driveway is clear evidence of inactivity in your home. That’s exactly what opportunistic burglars look out for. 

To prevent thieves from targeting your property, contact your local post office and request they postpone your mail service from three to 30 days. The good news is that you can collect any mail from that time period once you’ve returned from your trip – that way you won’t miss anything important.  

4. Take control of your home security 

At ADT, we have a wide range of innovative home security products, designed to protect the things you love while you’re on your dream holiday. From automating your home to make it look like you’re in when you’re not, to 24/7/365 monitoring.

When your ADT alarm is triggered, the monitoring centre is immediately notified, prompting them to check up on your home to see if there’s an issue.