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Get a good start on your holiday by making sure you are well prepared to travel. Don't forget these home security tips and luggage allowances when flying from Belfast Airport. |
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When departing Belfast Airport, make sure you have thought carefully about what you will need to prepare for when flying. Do you need security tips for protecting your home? Or unofficial information on luggage allowances? You'll find it here in an easy to use guide.
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When getting ready to leave for your trip use our general tips on things you should do before you go away. Also some of them also help protect your home from potential burglars.
So don't suffer with holiday blues when you've returned home. Made even worse by something dreadful happening to your home, like a burglary, whilst you're away - since nearly half of all break-ins occur when a home is left empty for continued periods of time.
- Be sure to cancel any doorstep deliveries like the milkman and newspaper boy
- Only order parcels that risk arriving via Recorded Delivery once you've returned. Otherwise they'll be sent back to the sender after a week of non-collection from the post office.
- Have you got any Doctors, Dentist etc. appointments booked? Be sure to re-book them for when you get back.
- It's a good idea to arrange to get your post that's built up on the doorstep removed each day or so, so see if you can arrange for someone to stop by your home.
- If you've got perishable items in your fridge either use them up or throw them away.
- It's best to have turned off all your main plug sockets - PCs, TVs etc. Not only as a safety precaution but it will also save you money on the energy you'll be saving.
- By switching off your central heating and hot water system you're also saving money. In the Winter just turn them both down but not off in case of a hard frost that could cause problems with your pipes.
- You need to ensure your pets are being looked after properly. Arrange for a house-sitter to stay over to feed and walk them. Or pre-book a kennel or cattery when you book your holiday. And include some of their favourite toys and treats too so they don't get too home sick.
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Check out our top 10 home security tips that will help protect your home from any unwelcomed visitors.
No-one wants to run the risk of returning home to a burgled house, so before you run out of the door with your suitcases take a moment to read these security tips - all of which are easy to do.
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Home Security Tips |
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1. Automatic Lighting |
Light timers are a great way to confuse burglars as the timers set off your lights throughout the day so passers-by will think someone is home. |
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2. Post |
Post piled up on your door mat is an obvious sign you haven't been home in a while, and thus, the chances are you won't be home for awhile. So do arrange for someone to drive past and remove the post on a regular basis.
Or arrange for Royal Mail's Keepsafe service to hold on to your post until your return (up to two months). |
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3. Deliveries |
Double check you've cancelled your milk and/or newspaper deliveries so these don't pile up outside your door too. |
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4. Baggage Tags: |
If you fill in your baggage label early anyone handling your luggage will know you are away, for how long and know for sure where you live. Only fill it in on your return flight. |
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5. House Checking: |
Even if you aren't home, by arranging for someone to stop by and from day to day pull and open curtains, park on your drive, or even stay over for a night or too, all gives the impression that people are in your home.
Always, should an emergency arise, leave your contact details with someone, ideally the person you've asked to stop by your house. |
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6. Neighbourhood Watch: |
It's a good idea to join your local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme if one runs in your area. Find out by visiting their website at www.neighbourhoodwatch.net. |
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7. Valuable Items: |
Valuables, documents and paperwork can all be left with your Bank in a safe if you are unhappy about leaving them in an empty house. Or you could ask a friend or family member to hold on to them until you fly back home.
Have you got TVs or other valuable goods that are easily on view from outside? You need to move these just in case anyone wandering past sees them as an easy target.
What about your home and contents insurance - is it still valid and does it provide enough cover? |
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8. Alarm: |
You will need to appoint a key holder if you've got a burglar alarm. Leave the details of this temporary key holder with your Security Firm in case they need to get hold of you.
Of course, make sure your alarm is set when you leave your property. |
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9. Outdoor Storage: |
Sheds aren't the most secure units so think about putting any valuable items you have stored in them inside, just until your return. |
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10. Locks: |
Before you rush out the door look to see if all your doors and windows are securely locked. |
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If you're still concerned, and would value additional home security tips, some local police forces will come and inspect your home and suggest security improvements. |
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Your Luggage Allowances ... |
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Do remember that when packing your bags you will need to make sure your baggage is in keeping with the airline's luggage allowances.
Here we give you advice on luggage allowances...
Each person, as a rule, has a luggage allowance of a piece of baggage weighing 32kg/70lbs. If your baggage ends up weighing more than this you'll be forced to pay a fine to travel with the excess luggage and have to buy smaller bags to repack. If you choose not to travel with the extra weight the items you take out will be thrown away.
Therefore, if you need to travel with excess baggage, or even large or outsized baggage, do contact the airline first to see what policies they have.
At check-in at Belfast Airport the airline you're travelling with asks a host of questions about your baggage. This includes what is in the suitcases, as well as making sure there are no prohibited or restricted items included. Visit the Security section of this website for further unofficial information.
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