Home Security

[lustyd]

Hi all, I'm curious what you all do for home security while away cruising for longer than a few weeks other than the obvious friends checking on the house? Are there any professional services I should be aware of that won't cost the earth?

 

[johnalison]

We used to leave for three months each summer. Our house had been fitted with security blinds when we bought it, as the first owner had been a collector of some kind. Consequently, we are generally relaxed about leaving and the insurance company too. There is sometimes confusion about whether we have to have someone come in to check occasionally or whether no-one should enter. Generally, a good neighbour would come in occasionally to check, sort the post, and mow the lawn to prevent the house looking unoccupied.

The security blinds must have been expensive, but they have proved useful to us, as well as reassuring to friends and family who come in when we are away.

 

[Poignard]

Kind neighbours and our cleaners and gardener coming in.

 

[lustyd]

Gardener is probably a good idea, hadn't thought of that one. I'll be putting in some cameras but more as an awareness thing so we can come home if anything happens than because it'll do anything useful. Also hadn't considered a cleaner, not sure on that one as it opens up the possibility of someone forgetting to lock up and making the place less secure. Have to weigh up against looking unoccupied.

 

[johnalison]

Gardener is probably a good idea, hadn't thought of that one. I'll be putting in some cameras but more as an awareness thing so we can come home if anything happens than because it'll do anything useful. Also hadn't considered a cleaner, not sure on that one as it opens up the possibility of someone forgetting to lock up and making the place less secure. Have to weigh up against looking unoccupied.

Check with your insurers.

 

[Poignard]

Our SAGA home insurance allows the property to be unoccupied for up to 60 consecutive days. If we ever had to be away for longer we would invite relatives or friends to stay in the house for a few days.

 

[lustyd]

Yes mine is 60 days too, although not a lot of valuables in the house so really it's the disruption I want to avoid by doing all I can for prevention

 

[syvictoria]

M&S insurance I think allows 90 days unoccupied as standard. I have no personal experience, but came across this when renewing last time and looking into similar.

 

[Poignard]

A crime prevention officer told me that hedges are preferable to fences and walls because a burglar can quickly scale the latter but pushing through a hedge is not so easy. Speed is of the essence to the professional burglar.

Another factor is visibility. For example, my and my neighbour's houses were similar in that both had the kitchen door on the side of the house. Ours was visible from the road but his was not because he had erected a 6' high fence between his kitchen door and the front of the house.

He was burgled twice, the burglar entering by his kitchen door, we never were.

The crime prevention officer explained that his fence had provided a screen behind which the burglar could work unseen and take his time. We had not.

It might be worthwhile talking to your local CPO.

 

[Graham376]

We're covered via GSI for up to 6 months consecutively away, 9 months in total p.a. Water has to be shut off at mains plus gas in summer, property must be inspected internally every 14 days, which a friend does for us. No alarm now as we had a couple of false alerts which woke all the neighbours up.

 

[The Q]

Hedges? Berberis is the one to have, Nice and thorny.. You do need good gloves when trimming it though..

 

[arc1]

Have neighbour's kids do garden so looks lived in. Smart lights mean that they can come on at random but sensible times. Farther in Law checks in every now and again. Burglar alarm. Other than that, risk we take being away for the summer and rely on insurance in unfortunate event that we need it!

 

[Graham376]

Have neighbour's kids do garden so looks lived in. Smart lights mean that they can come on at random but sensible times. Farther in Law checks in every now and again. Burglar alarm. Other than that, risk we take being away for the summer and rely on insurance in unfortunate event that we need it!

Forgot to mention we have external security lights on pirs and internal room lights on timers, to appear someone's home. Pay lawn service to keep outside tidy, several month's long grass would be a giveaway.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

live in a civilised country.

 

[syvictoria]

live in a civilised country.

That's a helpful contribution to the thread!

I was wondering whether the folks that have replied to date own homes in urban or rural areas?

 

[Stemar]

Hedges? Berberis is the one to have, Nice and thorny.. You do need good gloves when trimming it though..

+1 - I've often thought that, were I living somewhere that warranted maximum security, I'd have a 3m high by 2m thick berberis hedge round it. No bugger's going through that!

 

[Buck Turgidson]

That's a helpful contribution to the thread!

I was wondering whether the folks that have replied to date own homes in urban or rural areas?

It is indeed.
I live in a country where I can still leave my door unlocked. I can leave my car parked with the roof down. I can go away for weeks on end without worrying what might happen.
Sorry if that isn't the case for you.

 

[syvictoria]

It is indeed.
I live in a country where I can still leave my door unlocked. I can leave my car parked with the roof down. I can go away for weeks on end without worrying what might happen.
Sorry if that isn't the case for you.

How lovely... and bully for you!!!

(P.S.: Your original comment wasn't helpful to the thread as I wager that no one here is willing to move their part time home to another country simply to reduce their risk/insurance premium when away from home! They may of course be more than happy to relocate for other reasons!!! )

{P.P.S.: Much of what you say above fortunately remains true of many rural areas in the UK too. I doubt that it's truly true of any metropolitan area in any country though.)

 

[johnalison]

+1 - I've often thought that, were I living somewhere that warranted maximum security, I'd have a 3m high by 2m thick berberis hedge round it. No bugger's going through that!

I wouldn’t expect to get through a pyracantha hedge without being shredded either.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

How lovely... and bully for you!!!

(P.S.: Your original comment wasn't helpful to the thread as I wager that no one here is willing to move their part time home to another country simply to reduce their risk/insurance premium when away from home! They may of course be more than happy to relocate for other reasons!!! )

{P.P.S.: Much of what you say above fortunately remains true of many rural areas in the UK too. I doubt that it's truly true of any metropolitan area in any country though.)

Hmmm I live in Zürich!
you’ve been conditioned to think all nations are the same so you accept the lack of law and order.