In the excitement of preparing for a holiday each year, it's easy to forget about the important measures everyone should take to protect their home when leaving it empty for a long period. Between January and December 2012, a total of 3,700,349 crimes were recorded by police, with burglary standing as one of the largest contributors.
The most important element of leaving your home uninhabited for longer than usual is masking the fact that the property is empty. An innovative new product called the Light Switch Timer, made by Switched on Products, makes this easier than ever before. Unlike its competitors, it can be used on any light with any kind of light bulb.
The Light Switch Timer allows you to set your lights to come on and go off in each room at a programmed time, using your existing main home lights rather than lamps or other plug-in devices to do so. Your property will look naturally occupied at the times you select, helping to keep your home and belongings safe.
The device is extremely simple to use. It requires no wiring and it can be successfully installed in less than a minute. While the timer is a perfect choice for holidays, it can also useful in day-to-day life - if you're going to be late home from work and don't want to leave the lights on all day, for example.
Other key security tips to remember include checking that both doors and windows throughout your home are locked, and asking friends or neighbours to keep an eye on the place while you're away. Putting vehicles away into garages and hiding valuables in drawers or cupboards are also important measures to take in protecting your belongings and deterring theft.
Switched on Products are currently running a Kickstarter campaign to help fund and develop the Light Switch Timer. Find out more and order yours here.