The Ultimate Going Away Checklist: Securing Your SA Home This Festive Season
Peace of Mind: Don't Let Your Holiday Start with a Worry
The festive season is a time for relaxation, but leaving your home unoccupied or even with a house-sitter requires preparation. In South Africa, home security and proactive maintenance are non-negotiable elements that protect your investment and ensure your insurance remains valid.
Follow this critical checklist before you lock up and head out for your summer break.
1. The Insurance Imperative (Critical Compliance)
Failure to comply with these rules could result in a rejected claim if you suffer theft or damage while away. Always check your specific policy wording, especially regarding vacant periods.
Notify Your Insurer: If your home will be unoccupied for an extended period (many policies use a 60-day limit), you must inform your insurer. Failure to do so can void your policy.
Check Minimum Security: Ensure all security measures listed in your policy (e.g., burglar bars, armed response contract, security gates) are fully functional. The alarm must be activated when you leave.
Report Incidents: If you are notified of a break-in or damage while away, ensure a trusted contact reports the incident to the police and obtains a case number within 24 hours.
2. Fortified Security & Deterrence
Criminals often look for signs of inactivity. Your goal is to make the property appear occupied and difficult to breach.
Inform Security: Alert your neighbourhood watch, complex security, and private armed response company (if applicable) of your exact dates of departure and return. Provide them with emergency contact details.
The Neighbourhood Watch: Arrange for a trusted neighbour to collect mail, remove flyers, and occasionally park a car in your driveway to signal presence.
Digital Discretion: NEVER advertise your holiday plans or location on social media until you have returned home. Review your privacy settings carefully.
Conceal Valuables: Store jewellery, small electronics, and high-value portable items in a safe or lock them out of sight.
Illuminate Strategically: Use timers on internal lights and possibly a radio to switch on and off at staggered, realistic times, suggesting someone is home.
Secure the Perimeter: Pack away any tools, ladders, or garden equipment that could be used by intruders to gain leverage or access the property. Trim back any excessive foliage that provides hiding spots.
3. Water and Electrical Safety
Preventing disasters like fire, flood, or a burst geyser is often easier than managing the resulting insurance claim.
Turn Off the Geyser: Switch off the main geyser breaker to save electricity and, more importantly, mitigate the risk of a burst geyser causing extensive flood damage while you are away.
Isolate the Water Supply: Turn off the main water valve to the house. This prevents catastrophic flooding from a burst pipe or geyser, especially critical during the high-pressure summer months.
Unplug Electronics: Unplug all non-essential electronics (TVs, chargers, computers). This protects them from power surges, which are common during summer lightning storms, and saves standby electricity.
Food and Waste: Empty all bins and clear the refrigerator of perishable items. Coming home to spoiled food and bad odours is a terrible welcome.
4. Final Walk-Through Checklist
Windows & Doors: Double-check every single window, door, and security gate is locked, secured, and armed. Place a block of wood in the track of all sliding doors for extra security.
Garden Care: Arrange for someone to water essential plants or set up an irrigation timer. An overgrown garden is a clear sign the property is vacant.
House Sitter Instructions: If using a house sitter, ensure they know how to arm the alarm, where the water shut-off valve is, and have the emergency contact numbers for the security company and a local family member.
Final Utility Check: Confirm the prepaid electricity meter has sufficient units loaded to run timed lights and perimeter security as well as your freezer!
Enjoy Your Break
By spending a few hours completing this checklist, you protect your biggest asset and ensure you can truly switch off and enjoy your South African summer holiday. Safe travels!