Simple Tips to Ensure Peace of Mind While You’re on Holiday

It’s essential to remember the importance of balancing out all of that hard work at the office, with some time away.  However, one of the worst things that can happen to unsuspecting families while they are away on holiday is for them to become a victim of crime. It is a terrible but true reality, that criminals prefer to target vacant homes as families leave on trips.

Here at Somfy, we have a lot of different smart home solutions to make your home unattractive for burglars, from motorised curtains and electric blinds to sensors, timer and programmed scenarios to provide a lived in feel - even when you are away. Here are six tips to ensure your peace of mind so that your next holiday is restful and relaxing, as it should be!

1. Home Alarm System

As silly as it sounds, there are plenty of home invasions that occur with the alarm not set. Complacency is the enemy of safety. It is important to not only set your alarm, but to fully understand all of its features and options. If you do not have a manual for your alarm, contact the manufacturer to request one immediately.

Also, your alarm needs routine service checks from a security expert or electrician to make sure that it is working properly. If you don’t have alarm security for your family, then it’s time to invest in one. It can make the difference not only in protecting your property, but also your life.

2. Climate Control Timers

Climate control timers turn your heater and air conditioner on and off, to keep your home comfortable. When you’re away, there is no reason to have these timers operating. Turn off the climate control timers to save money while you’re away.

Not only will it help your monthly bills, but it also reduces the risk to your home. If your heater or air conditioning unit has a fault, it can present a fire risk. With no one present at home to notice it and address it, this fire risk can compound quickly.

3. Light Timers

Light timers will turn your lights on and off, to simulate people inside of the home. Police statistics report that the most targeted homes are the ones that appear to be unoccupied, as criminals are looking for an easy target. Automated light timers keep your home from looking empty and might just convince a potential burglar to move on to an easier target. Using our Connexoon Window RTS app, you can control your RTS-enabled lighting or even your Phillips HUE lights right from your phone!

4. Scenarios & Timers

In a similar vein to light timers, you can also add scenarios and timers to your motorised curtains, blinds, and awnings. You can create movement throughout the day to create the illusion that you’re home, while you’re actually away on vacation.

5. Blinds

While you are away, make sure that your blinds are drawn. There are a lot of different types of motorised blinds for the home, both interior and exterior. If you have exterior products, such as roller shutters, they are invaluable for fortifying your windows. Over seventy percent of home invasions target the doors and windows, the weakest parts of the home’s protection. 

6. Neighbours Can Help

Your neighbourhood should be a community of homeowners. Working with each other is the best way to ensure that everyone is safer. While you are away, ask your neighbours to pick up your mail and newspapers. Burglars will look for piled up newspapers and mail as signs of vacancy.

Also, if your neighbours know that you are away, they will more likely notice suspicious activity or movement on your property.

For further information on our home automation solutions, find a Somfy Expert Retailer near you.