Travellers are being advised to take additional measures to protect their properties while they are away.
The caution follows police data showing an average of 895 break-ins occurring daily throughout the UK, raising concerns about properties left empty during the peak summer travel period.
Police documented 327,000 burglaries in total in 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
With online searches for home security rising sharply, Ana Zuravliova, a trend specialist at Blinds Direct, has offered seven practical recommendations to help minimise the risk of intrusion and provide homeowners with reassurance during their absence.
Adjusting window dressings or using electric alternatives can assist in maintaining the look of occupancy. Setting curtains or blinds to a mid-point position when departing creates privacy while still allowing daylight to enter. A completely closed-off property or one with permanently open window dressings signals to observers that the house is unoccupied and therefore more vulnerable to targeting.
Electric blinds offer a solution for those without someone to tend to windows regularly. These can be scheduled to raise and lower at set times throughout the day, replicating authentic daily patterns without requiring any manual intervention. Some models also feature smartphone connectivity, enabling homeowners to make adjustments from any location worldwide.
Strengthening doors and windows with quality frames, laminated glass and reliable locking systems provides an additional barrier against unwanted entry. Laminated glass proves particularly effective as it is considerably harder to shatter than standard glass varieties. Deadbolts represent one of the most widely used and dependable options for reinforcing door security, extending a solid metal bolt into the door frame to supplement standard lock mechanisms. Selecting doors and windows bearing Secured by Design (SBD) accreditation ensures products meet security standards backed by the police.
Lighting plays a significant role in suggesting someone is present at the property. A darkened home during evening hours clearly indicates no one is inside. Timer switches or smart plugs can be configured to activate various lamps at different times throughout the evening, simulating the natural behaviour of a resident. A hallway light coming on at 6pm followed by a living room light at 9pm creates believable indicators of movement within the property without needing to illuminate the entire house.
Recruiting assistance from a nearby resident strengthens the illusion of occupation. While window treatments and lighting suggest presence, an untouched vehicle, neglected garden or stuffed letterbox can easily expose an empty property. Asking a friend or neighbour to collect post, water plants and occasionally park in the driveway helps maintain the appearance that someone remains at home, as even a brief thirty-minute visit with a visible car creates convincing evidence of occupancy.
Visible security measures can also prove effective deterrents. Positioning a fake CCTV camera in an obvious spot alongside a motion-sensor light and prominent alarm warning sticker creates sufficient uncertainty to prompt many burglars to seek an easier target. Opportunistic intruders typically avoid properties appearing to be under surveillance.