The Essential Winter Security Checklist for Vacant Properties

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to protect your property while you’re away. Read on for our three-step winter security checklist.

One of the biggest security issues for vacant properties is when people can tell there’s nobody inside. That means there’s nobody to hear the doors and windows being tried. Nobody to confront them. And nobody to call the authorities if they see or hear anything suspicious.

In other words, they have plenty of time to get inside and root around for anything valuable. It’s a jackpot for burglars. But properties without people inside don’t have to scream “vacant”. Here are some tips to make your property look lived-in while you’re away:

• Ask a friend or relative to pop by, collect the post and open the curtains while they’re there.
• Let a neighbour park one of their cars on your drive.
• Use automated lighting to set schedules or control lights remotely.

As above, vacant properties are attractive to burglars because they’re unmonitored. But that doesn’t have to be the case. CCTV cameras keep a watchful eye on your property around the clock. The mere sight of a surveillance camera will send most burglars running because they know their actions will be caught on CCTV.

For that extra dose of assurance, you can invest in smart cameras. These allow you to check in on live footage from any location with an internet connection. You can also opt for notifications directly to your phone whenever motion is detected.

If you spot anything suspicious on your cameras, you can contact the local authorities just as you would if you were home. However, there’s always the chance that an intruder will strike while you’re busy or just asleep – meaning you don’t hear the notification.

That’s where intruder alarms come into play. This essential bit of kit can be linked up to all of the various points of entry on your property. If entry is forced through any of these doors or windows, the alarm will sound to alert your neighbours or the police.

As with CCTV, the sight of an intruder alarm will stop most burglars in their tracks. They’ll know full well that they won’t be able to get in and out discreetly, making your vacant property far less of an easy target.

Leaving your property vacant without the right measures in place can leave you anxious and ruin your time away. At Selectron, we aim to eliminate that anxiety and worry with a range of effective security equipment to give you peace of mind.

By taking the three steps above, you’ll minimise the risk of a break-in at your property while you’re away, as well as bolstering security when you’re back. Contact us today to arrange a no obligation consultation, where we can recommend the right equipment for your needs.