The months of July and August are synonymous with holiday departures, sun, and relaxation. However, this time of the year is also the preferred time for burglars to enter temporarily empty homes. According to government statistics, more than half of primary residence burglaries take place during the summer school holidays. Preparing your departure and securing your home is therefore an essential step before loading your luggage.
Simple reflexes before closing the door
A few basic checks greatly limit the risk of intrusion:
- Lock all entry points: This seems obvious, but check the windows of secondary rooms, basement vents, the garage door, and garden sheds (which often contain tools that could help force the house).
- Simulate presence: Ask a neighbor to collect your mail regularly. An overflowing mailbox is the first indicator of an empty house. You can also program smart plugs to turn lights on at variable times in the evening.
- Do not announce your departure on social media: Avoid publishing your holiday photos in real-time. Burglars increasingly monitor public profiles to identify vacant homes.
The importance of a complete inventory in the event of a break-in
Despite all precautions, zero risk does not exist. If you are the victim of a burglary during your holidays, the shock on your return is immense. That's when a digital inventory changes the game. If you have documented your entire household with SafeInventa before leaving, you have a complete file with photos of your belongings and value invoices stored securely and encrypted. You can immediately generate a structured PDF Claim Report for your insurance company to facilitate the processing of your claim.