Home useful guidance

Useful guidance

We've come up with a few hints and tips to help keep your home(s) safe and sound.

Home security tips for second homes and holiday homes

Unoccupied properties can be vulnerable to burglars, squatters and vandalism; follow this advice to help keep your home protected.

• Regularly check that your alarm works properly and ask a neighbour if he or she would be willing to visit the property from time to time

Maintaining your second property

If you have a second home, these hints and tips will help you avoid the problems that can occur when you leave your property unoccupied for long periods.

• Keeping your heating running while you are away can help prevent mould, leaks and frozen water pipes
• Help prevent pest infestations by making sure your property is cleared of any food waste and residue

Winter weather

Don't let the harsh winter weather damage your home, these simple hints and tips could make all the difference.

• Ensure exposed pipe work and water tanks within your home are adequately lagged. Keep the heating on, especially at night, to help prevent the pipes from freezing
• If you are going to be away from the house for any period of time, consider keeping the central heating on to ensure that the temperature remains above 10°C or 50°F
• Any trees that grow near to your home, or overhang the roof, should be checked by a tree surgeon once a year ensuring any loose branches are cut back

Home security

Home security is one of the most important aspects for our home, by taking these few simple security measures you can greatly help protect your home against the threat of burglary.

• Fitting good quality deadlocks to your doors and key operated locks to your windows will help to make it more difficult for burglars to enter your home. Walk round your house checking your locks and consider if they work properly
• All main entry and exit doors should have either 5 lever or 7 lever mortise deadlocks fitted conforming to British Standard BS3621
• As a minimum, all ground floor windows and any upper floor windows overlooking accessible areas of flat roofing should have key locks fitted

Protect your home(s) and valuable items with Select home insurance.