For many of us, Easter is a great time of the year to get away with family and friends.  However, preparing to go away for the holidays can also cause concerns about home security.  This year, with Easter signifying the end of daylight saving, the darker days can put homes at even greater risk of a break-in.

Taking a few preventative measures before you leave can help put your mind at ease.  Here is our five step guide to help you enjoy a worry-free Easter getaway.

1. Look for security loopholes

Put yourself into the mindset of a burglar to see if you can break into your own home. Start by walking from front to back of the property and around the perimeter of your home, actively identifying any security gaps. It’s a good idea that two people audit your home during the day and night to ensure nothing is missed. Don’t forget to check the garage, shed and laundry doors and windows as these areas can be often overlooked. This is also a good time to check how secure the latches are on windows and doors; you might find a lock you didn’t even know was broken.

2. Cut back the hiding places

Trim any hedges or shrubs around your fence and under windows and verandas. These can potentially provide a perfect hiding spot for thieves to duck behind if a sensor is set off or the dog starts barking. If there’s no place for burglars to hide, chances are they’ll hit the road. For those in double storey homes,check for overhanging tree branches, external walls or drain pipes that could provide access to the upper level of your home. Also, ensure that tools,ladders and wheelie bins are put away to prevent intruders from using them to access the home.

3. Install motion detection lights

Add motion-detecting floodlights around the garage and all entrance points to your home. It’s important to mount them high enough to prevent intruders from disabling them. This tip is an oldie but a goodie when it comes to security technology and an easy, affordable addition to any home to help deter intruders.

4. Beat the burglars and the bugs

Consider upgrading your security screens on windows and doors as creepy crawlies aren’t the only intruders you need to keep out as the weather warms up. Burglars can take advantage of any security gaps so consider replacing new screens with a stronger layer of mesh. Safety chains on solid doors can also be easily broken,making a security screen door a valuable addition. They can also provide greater visibility so you can identify whoever is outside.

5. Consult with the experts

Call the security experts at ADT Security to assist with your home security audit.Schedule a free consultation and one of our licensed processionals will visit to your home and advise a security solution to suit your lifestyle. From motion detection, back to base monitoring and 24/7 surveillance cameras, a professional home security system will not only help keep your home and family safe, but could also be more affordable than you might think.