Summer months are a popular time for holidays, travel, and fun. People rarely stay home, seizing every opportunity to travel and enjoy a change of scenery. However, summer also traditionally sees an uptick in home burglaries. Taking a few simple steps to secure your home against break-ins can save you a lot of hassle. Here are Groupama's top tips to enhance your security and protect your property while you're away.

How to keep your home safe while you're away

1. Invest in a safe

Don't worry too much about your bulky TV. The items most likely to be stolen during a burglary are wallets, bags, cash, and cards—all things that can easily fit in a safe. Other frequently stolen items, such as jewellery and watches, can also be safely stored away.

We recommend securely bolting your safe to the floor or a solid wall.

Whatever you do, avoid hiding valuables in your bedroom drawers—that is the very first place burglars look.

1. Hide your valuables properly

If you don't have a safe, make sure your valuable belongings are well hidden. The creative you get, the better, as thieves know all the typical hiding spots.

Make sure you don't leave valuable items on display when going out. Think about what someone might see looking through your window—is there a laptop on the coffee table or jewellery on the bedside stand?

You can protect your high-value personal belongings by adding optional additional coverage to your home insurance policy.

1. Keep your keys safe

Don't forget about your home keys. Avoid tempting opportunistic thieves by keeping them securely stored out of sight.

If you need to leave a spare key outside, never hide it under a rock or plant pot near the front door or in the garden. If an intruder finds your key and uses it to enter, there will be no signs of forced entry, which might affect your insurance claim.

It is much safer to invest in a key safe. Alternatively, you can always leave a spare set with a trusted neighbour.

1. Upgrade your door and window locks

Ensure all doors and windows lock securely, especially those on the ground floor.

Consult a locksmith to find the best types of locks or bolts for your home.

If you live in a house, don't forget about patio and garage doors. Upgrade these locks if needed and make sure they stay locked at all times.

Consider adding extra protection to door hinges and external fittings to resist forced entry.

1. Consider installing security cameras

Security cameras are a great way to monitor activity, alerting you to suspicious behavior and deterring break-ins. Forget outdated systems—many modern smart security cameras feature Wi-Fi connectivity, letting you check live feeds on your smartphone. If you like DIY projects, you can easily install them yourself. Video doorbells are another popular option for home security.

1. Get a intruder alarm system

Invest in a home security system to deter burglars and potentially lower your home insurance premium.

Depending on the system, a burglary alarm can be triggered when an external door or window is opened, or by indoor motion sensors.

A loud siren alerts your neighbours to a break-in and can quickly scare off potential intruders.

Alarms can also automatically notify a security company for rapid response or send instant alerts directly to your smartphone.

7. Control your lighting remotely

Your home is at greater risk when it looks empty. Having lights turn on and off at different times can be enough to convince potential burglars that someone is home.

Smart lighting systems allow you to set schedules for your lights. With smart light setups, you can even control your lighting remotely via a smartphone app.

1. Install outdoor lighting

Consider outdoor security lighting for nighttime and early morning hours. Motion-sensor lights help deter intruders without disturbing your neighbours unnecessarily.

1. Secure your garden and outdoor space

Expensive garden furniture, appliances, or bicycles left outside can be an easy target for thieves.

Even if there is nothing worth stealing in your garden, securing the perimeter creates an extra barrier against intruders reaching your home.

Use strategic planting and landscaping to make garden access harder for trespassers, and fit sturdy padlocks to side and back gates.

Make sure your security cameras or outdoor lights cover both your garden and the main property.

1. Avoid posting holiday photos on social media

Be mindful of sharing your live location on social media, as it advertises that your home is empty. Wait until you get back before uploading your holiday snaps.

1. Regularly inspect and update your security setup

Periodically check that all door locks and security devices in your home are working properly.

Over time, locks can wear out or misalign, while intruder alarms should be inspected annually by a professional. Security cameras can easily shift or become obscured by growing plants.

Before leaving on holiday, double-check all windows, doors, sheds, and outbuildings, and ensure your cameras and motion sensors are fully charged and functioning.

1. Get home insurance

There are many ways to better secure your property and make it less attractive to burglars, but for true peace of mind, ensure your home contents are covered in case of burglary. Property insurance can cover a wide range of risks tailored to your needs, providing financial compensation for both your real estate and personal property if stolen or damaged.