The big mistakes that holidaymakers make at home before they go away – and could cost you money

THESE are the biggest mistakes holidaymakers make before they go away – but here’s how you can avoid them.

Many Brits are preparing to jet off on their holidays now that summer is here but getting caught up in all the excitement could end up costing you a lot of money.

Getty

Getty

That’s because amongst all the chaos of packing, leaving and making it to the airport on time, it’s easy to forget about your homes safety.

Unfortunately, this means your house and possessions are more vulnerable to burglary, but there are simple ways to get around this.

By following these four simple steps, you’re doing everything you can to ensure your home is at its most secure.

Automate your lights with smart lighting

Using smart bulbs could be the perfect deterrent for burglaries because it gives off the impression that someone is always home.

Some smart lighting systems, such as those provided by Vivint, even allow you to create custom schedules on an easy-to-use app.

It doesn’t have to be expensive either, with plenty of smart bulbs on the market compatible with systems you may already have, such as Alexa or Google Home.

Use sensors to secure all doors and windows

Using sensors to secure all your doors and windows is another great way to protect your home from thieves and burglars.

While it doesn’t seem like a difficult task to complete, it is very easy to forget to check a window or door you very rarely use – but using smart sensors can help ensure everything is locked.

Jim Nye, CPO of security company Vivint, told Real Simple that a central app allows you to easily see which doors and windows are still open – and secure them accordingly before you go.

Swap out your spare keys for smart locks

It’s very easy to just leave your spare key underneath a door mat or plant pot but thieves are no strangers to this common tactic and could quickly figure you out.

By using a smart lock, however, you don’t have to worry about making this same mistake – and you can even let people in and out your house when you’re not there.

“Smart locks can be controlled remotely and allow you to give a friend an access code, so they can watch your house while you’re away,” Nye said. “You can also stay notified of their activity the whole time.”

Plan for package deliveries

While it can be unavoidable at the worst of times, try and ensure your home deliveries aren’t just left sat outside your front door.

That’s not only to prevent people from stealing them, but also because it’s a major sign that nobody is home.

If possible, plan your deliveries for before or after your vacation, or even ask a neighbour to come by and take your packages inside until you’re back.

Tips for travelling

By Tom Malley

Going abroad is always exciting but many travellers often find they’ve forgotten to do something or pack a certain item.

In other cases, many make mistakes whilst their at the airport or during their flights, making their journey slightly more tricky than planned.

With these tips, however, you can ensure your holiday goes as smoothly as possible.

For example, this flight attendant has revealed why you should always use overhead lockers in front of your seat.

Travel writer Emily Cappiello told how she was one of the last passengers to board her section on a flight from Toronto to New York when making a fatal mistake.

Holidaymakers stuck in stuffy hotel rooms can also try a sneaky trick to cool the temperature even when controls are locked for guests.

Brits set for summer hols might be anxious over how hot their rooms get, but now a thermostat hack has emerged, allowing customers to work around fixed settings.

And for those looking to avoid missing their flights, then make sure you don’t have this ‘red flag’ food item in your luggage.

Most of us are familiar with downing a bottle of water before passing through security at major airports, but one product could cancel your holiday on the spot.