If you’re heading away – even if just for a day or two – there are a few things you can do to reduce the risk of coming home to an unpleasant surprise, courtesy of a burglar: 

• Make sure gifts and other valuables can’t be seen from outside.
• Dispose of any tell-tale packaging carefully and make sure it’s out of sight in a bin.
• Don’t advertise you’re not at home by leaving messages on your answering machine or on social networking sites, or by having parcels delivered to an empty house.
• Let your neighbours know you’re going away - give them your contact number, ask them to clear your mail, put washing on the line or park in your driveway.
• Lock your shed, put away your tools and wheelie bins and trim trees and shrubs so there are no places for burglars to hide. 
• Consider security options for your homes such as alarms, security lights, and deadlocks on doors and windows. Remember they’ll only work if you use them – even if you aren’t out for long.

Here’s to a safe and happy summer.