Going away on holiday or to see the family is one of the great joys. However, for some, their homecoming could be marred by the actions of a few. "Research shows that nearly half of all burglaries happen while homes are unoccupied". May we suggest some things you can do to reduce the vulnerability of your home to crime while you are away enjoying yourself. House security should be a priority in your pre holiday plans. Your aim is to make the property look occupied, even though it is not. Consider how your home looks to the ordinary person walking past in the street.

Things to consider:

• Lights - A house in darkness is a good sign that it is unoccupied.
• The use of time switches - available from most DIY stores - to switch lights, radios and other electrical appliances on and off while you're away.
• Lock all the doors and windows when you leave home, and set the alarm if you have one. Have you made provision for this while you are away?
• Inform a trusted neighbour of your absence and leave a key with them so that they can clear any papers, open and shut curtains, put the bins out and get them in again. A bin left out while you're away is just as much a telltale sign there is no one at home as not putting a bin out at all.
• Empty Driveway? Can your neighbour park their car there, so it looks as though someone is home? Is the garden going to look too overgrown before you come back - last job cut the grass really short so it lasts till you get back.
• Moving a car left on a drive can also be good. If you have gone by taxi try and make your leaving discreet. Can you be picked up from a friend's house?
• Cancelling milk and paper deliveries. Do you have the contact numbers?
• Arrange with the post office to hold back your mail. (0845 7777 888)
• Do not have your address showing on an external baggage label; put it on a piece of paper inside your case. Someone may read it at the airport and, knowing that address will be empty; use that information to set up a burglary.
• Lock away (securely and discreetly) financial documents, keys, cards and valuables. If someone does break in you don't want them to also steal your car or money from accounts.
• Make sure tools and ladders are kept in a secure place - burglars will happily use your own garden equipment to break into your home. Shed alarms are a good idea.