Planning a holiday can be fun, but don’t forget to make sure your home is safe from thieves.

The festive season is right around the corner, but before you take off for the holidays, make sure your home is safe when you’re not there. Here are some guidelines to keep your home protected.

1: Secure the entryways

Make sure you cut the shrubs below window level and trim trees away from the house and boundary walls. An obscured window is an invitation for would-be thieves. You’ll also want to protect your sliding glass doors by putting a metal rod in the track or add a bolt lock.

Make sure you unplug your automatic garage door opener on your way out. Burglars may be able to uncover the code and use it to open your garage door. And don’t leave any tools outside. Bring them inside so a thief can’t use them to break into your home.

2: Maintain your presence

A thief knows when a house looks unoccupied. To make your home appear “lived in”, set timers that will turn your lights on and off at different times. Make sure the front of your property looks well-maintained.

And you may want to have a neighbour park in your driveway some of the time that you’re away.

If you have a home security service, be sure to notify the company that you plan to be away. Most companies may pay better attention if they know there’s no one at home.

3: Protect the "guts” of your home

If you’re going to be away for a while, you’ll want to shut off the water supply to individual fixtures such as your washing machine, toilets and sinks.

Flooding happens when hoses are worn or ruptured, or there is a leak at the connection. Of course, you don’t want to leave appliances like the washing machine or dishwasher running. Make sure you unplug all those smaller items, such as your toaster, microwave oven, computer and TV.

Also switch off your geyser to prevent possible bursts while you are away.

4: Safeguard your identity

An overflowing mailbox is a ripe target for identity thieves who will rifle through your credit card solicitations and bills to get your private information. Get a neighbour to collect your mail or you can have your deliveries held at the post office. You may also want to stop your newspaper delivery.

Sort through your filing cabinet and lock up any documents that have your bank account numbers or identity number.

You’ll also want to disconnect the computer from the Internet. You don’t want thieves hacking into your accounts.

5: Ensure you are insured

Speak to your insurance broker before your holiday to ensure your insurance cover is up to date so that you can enjoy a carefree holiday.

Is your burglary cover in place? Make sure that you comply with the necessary security measures. Are you sufficiently insured? Under-insurance is a very common cause of distress during claims settlement. Avoid nasty surprises by insuring your possessions at their current replacement cost.

Is someone staying in your house? Make sure they know how the alarm works and where the emergency numbers are. You also need to know the extent of your own liability cover should something happen to the caretaker. Do you have theft cover? Some policies do not automatically cover theft of possessions if there were no visible signs of forced entry or exit from your home. If you know that there might be people in your house in your absence, like the people tiling the bathroom floor, make sure that you have the correct theft cover.

Before you go on that well-deserved break, speak to your Indwe Risk Services broker. Not only are you guaranteed good insurance advice, but you will also have the peace of mind knowing that your home is covered while you are away.

Call 0860 13 13 14 or email indwe@indwerisk.co.za.