Our 9 Top Tips For Protecting Your Holiday Lodge

Unfortunately, thieves are ignoring the lockdown rules and using this period to break into empty holiday lodges, according to Detective Superintendent Chris Hanson.

At present, holidays are a luxury of the past. You can’t simply head down to your holiday lodge for a relaxing weekend away. As such, you might worry about leaving it unsupervised for a long period of time, due to the risks associated with this. Luckily, there are steps you can take to mitigate these risks. We’ve put together a list of 9 top tips for protecting your holiday lodge. Follow these and you’ve done everything you can to keep it safe.

1. Secure windows and doors

Even during a hot summer, it goes without saying you shouldn’t leave any windows open whilst you’re not present. As well as closing them, you need to lock them to make a thief’s job as hard as possible. You could also buy window alarms to put on each window, so that if someone opens a window it’ll flash and make a sound. Of course, make sure all the doors are closed and locked. Ideally, exterior doors should be fitted with a minimum of two locks.

2. Set alarms

Make sure you have a burglar alarm and, of course, that it works. You should always set the alarm when you’re not in your holiday lodge. Instead of getting a standard alarm, it’s a great idea to get an alarm that can be operated remotely using your phone. This way, you can set the alarm from anywhere and know when it’s set off on your phone.

3. Hide your valuables

You shouldn’t leave any valuables in your holiday lodge if you’re not there. However, if you do, make sure they’re out of sight. Leaving expensive items on a side table or kitchen top is like inviting a thief into your lodge. You might even want to consider putting your valuables in a safe where they can’t be seen and are harder to access. As well as valuables, expensive electrical gadgets that are usually left plugged in on the kitchen top could easily be swiped and put into a bag. So, when you know you’re not going to be present, why not put them in the kitchen cupboard or drawers? If a thief can’t see anything, they’re less likely to target your lodge.

4. Hide your keys

Never leave your keys within easy reach of a door or window. Have you heard of the door hanger trick where the thief bends a wire hanger, sticks it through the letter box or window, reaches for your keys and opens the door? It’s that simple. If a thief spots your keys and they’re within easy reach, they’ll be able to break into your holiday lodge in no time.

5. Use CCTV

Installing CCTV cameras outside your lodge not only increases the chances of catching thieves, it also creates a deterrent against break-ins. With some, you can operate the cameras on your mobile phone, which is a good idea if you’re often away from your holiday lodge. You might want to consider putting cameras inside your lodge.

For example, the Hive Home Monitoring Camera sends a notification to your phone when there’s unusual activity. You can go onto the livestream to monitor any activity outside your lodge and save the footage to help any police investigations. To top things off, you could even get a video doorbell. Ring, for instance, enables you to see who’s at your door from your phone, so you can see if any thieves are trying to break into your lodge. You can also speak to them through a microphone, which is sure to dissuade them.

6. Consider the outside area

If you have a garage or shed, make sure it has a good quality lock that can’t be broken with a crowbar. You should also consider the vegetation around your property. The more vegetation, the harder it is to see into the property and know whether someone’s present. Prickly bushes and high walls present obstacles to a thief, as they can’t make a quick getaway.

7. Use outside lights

Poorly lit areas are more likely to be targeted by thieves, so it’s a good idea to put lights outside your holiday lodge. As well as normal outside lights, it’s useful to have security lights that light up when there’s movement around your lodge.

8. Invest in smart technology

To make it look like your holiday lodge is occupied to keep thieves away (think Home Alone), you can buy some home gadgets. Get savvy with some smart light bulbs that turn on and off at certain times so it appears there’s someone in the lodge. You can also get smart plugs that turn the TV on and off. After all, it’s unlikely that a thief will break-in if they think someone’s lodge.

9. Take out insurance

Following the above steps will help protect your holiday lodge from a break-in. However, you also need the right insurance in place to protect lodge if it does get burgled. Ripe Caravans’ specialist caravan insurance protects your holiday lodge against theft, malicious damage and much more. For peace of mind all year round, get an online quote today.