Family playing outside with chook.
Tips & tricks

Home safety

Whether you're taking a road trip, visiting family or just relaxing around Tassie - it pays to keep your home secure. Make sure you can enjoy your well deserved rest with these safety tips.

When homes are unoccupied, especially over the holiday periods, thieves can view this as the perfect time to break in and steal valuable items.

To give yourself the best chance of a worry-free holiday, take a few simple security steps before you leave your home: 

Think smart about social media

It’s great to share our travel experiences with our friends online, but thieves can use this information to target your home. 

Err on the side of caution and share all of your beautiful memories on your return.

Keep the garden tidy

An unkempt garden with long grass and overgrown shrubbery isn’t just a mecca for snakes - it can also give thieves great cover while carrying out illegal activities.

A few days before you leave, make sure the lawn is mown and shrubs are trimmed.

Consider a house sitter

A paid sitter, trusted friend, relative or neighbour keeping an eye on your home while you’re away is a good idea. They can also collect your mail and any free newspapers that end up on your driveway so they don’t stack up and give the game away.

Lock up the garden shed

Chances are you may have tools in there that a thief could use to smash through one of your windows. Besides, there’s nothing worse than coming home to find all your best equipment has been stolen.

Secure doors and windows

Make sure your windows and screen doors have good locks. Consider fitting security screens where possible and install a deadbolt on your back door so it can be locked from the inside.

If you have sliding windows or doors, put a wooden or metal road in the tracks so they can’t be slid open even if the lock is compromised.

Secure your garage

Some garages can be opened with a universal remote. If you have an automatic garage door, consider turning off its power supply to be on the safe side.
 
Consider smart home technology

Security systems have come a long way in recent years with the introduction of smart home technology. You can even access some surveillance cameras with your smartphone and have alerts sent to you if your alarm has been triggered.

Even basic alarm systems that emit a loud noise are often enough to scare a potential thief away.

You can also use this technology to turn lights on and off at different times of the day and in different rooms via a smartphone app to make it look like someone is home. 

Don’t hide a spare key

Thieves know every hiding place in the book. Unless you’re leaving a spare key with a trusted friend, neighbour or relative, take it with you.

Unplug your appliances

This will protect your electronics from any power surges that might happen while you’re away. It could also reduce your energy bill.

While being security conscious can make a big difference, the worst can still happen.

Maintaining a home and contents insurance policy can ease the worry of the financial burden of a theft or break in. Make sure all of your details are current and that you have sufficient cover in place. 

Home and contents insurance

You could have cover for your home, contents and portable items in just a few minutes.

Before buying insurance issued by RACT Insurance Pty Ltd (ABN 96 068 167 804, AFS licence 229 076) you should read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) which you can find along with the Target Market Determination (TMD) on our Insurance Documents page.