We all love going away on holiday, but how much thought and preparation do we pay to the security of our home before we travel?For the majority of us, our home and its contents form our most valuable asset, not to mention the sentimental value and memories such as photos and valuables that are stored in our homes.

So surely we should take as many precautions as possible to protect it whilst we are away? After all, almost half of all break-ins happen when a flat or house is left empty.

The following security tips will help you to secure your home whilst you are away:

1. Automatic Lighting:
Try to make your home look lived in whilst you are away. Confuse any potential burglars by setting some of your lights on timers so that they go on and off at different times.

2. Post:
Organise for a trusted friend or family member to visit your house and clear away any post that has built up on your doormat. Excess post the other side of your front door is a perfect giveaway to a burglar that no-one’s home!

Alternatively, Royal Mail operate a service called Keepsafe, where they will store your personal and/or business mail for up to two months while you are away.

3. Deliveries:
Don’t forget to cancel any milk or newspaper deliveries for the duration you are away.

4. Baggage Tags:
Don’t write your home address on your baggage tag when travelling. Anyone handling your luggage will be able to track down your empty house whilst you are away.

5. House Checking:
It is great if you can get help from family, friends or neighbours whilst you are away. Ask them to try and stagger visits to your house so that anyone monitoring the property doesn’t recognise a routine that they could fit their break-in around.

Asking visitors to your house to open and close the curtains can confuse any potential burglar. Ask your neighbours if they could park on your driveway to make it look like people are home.

Leave your contact details with your family, friends or neighbours so that they can contact you in case of an emergency.

6. Neighbourhood Watch:
Look at the possibility of joining a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in your area.

7. Valuable Items:
Consider leaving valuable items and important documents with someone you trust such as family or friends. Alternatively, lock them in a safe or contact your bank to see if you can leave any items with them securely.

Ensure any high value items such as televisions, stereos and DVD players cannot be seen from outside the property.

Make sure you have adequate home and contents insurance that covers all of your valuables before you travel, just in case.

8. Alarm:
If you have a burglar alarm, make sure a friend or neighbour you trust is an additional keyholder whilst you are away, just in case your Security Company need to contact anyone in emergency.

Obviously, make sure your alarm is set when you leave your property.

9. Outdoor Storage:
Consider putting any valuable items normally stored in your shed, such as bicycles or tools, into your house whilst you are away.

10. Locks:
Make sure that all of your doors and windows, where possible, are securely locked.

If you are still concerned about the security of your home while you are away, some police forces will come out and check your home and suggest security improvements.

Finally, make sure you have double checked through all of your security precautions before you set off on your travels. And last but not least, enjoy your holiday!