Zurich Launches Holiday Protection Tips
Holiday Rule #1: Don’t Advertise Your Departure Online
With recent data from the CSO showing an increase in burglaries and related offences, Zurich Insurance has today warned holiday goers to think twice and put the proper security measures in place before they head off for their summertime break.
In particular, changes in technology and the advance of social networks mean that people are now leaving new avenues open for criminals. Social media poses a real threat, with many homeowners in recent times falling victim to home theft as a result of over-sharing on their Facebook or Twitter accounts, advertising their departure!
In response to this, Zurich today launched Holiday Protection Tips and a new blog, with practical advice on how to safeguard your home while you are away enjoying the summer sun.
Launching Zurich’s Holiday Protection Tips, Alan Hunter, Chief Claims Officer for Zurich said, “With schools closed and families packing their suitcases, people often forget to prepare to leave their houses unoccupied. Our Holiday Protection Tips provide simple yet practical information for helping to avoid burglary and related offences.”
Social Media Tips:
o Edit your privacy settings on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to the most private setting you can (e.g. friends only) – this will stop criminals from being able to detect when you may be away from home.
o Try not to post images or messages which you are away – even with high privacy settings, friends of friends can sometimes see or even repost your messages for all to see.
o Don’t mention specific dates – sharing your travel times could mean that your house gets watched for activity so if you’re posting about your holiday, keep it vague.
o Use software to schedule social media posts while you are away – much like you can use timers to turn lights on while you are away, software such as HootSuite allows you to write a message in advance and schedule a time when it will be posted to your Facebook or Twitter account so people will think you’re at home.
In addition to social media threats, Zurich is recommending a number of more traditional precautions.
Other Safety Tips:
• Have your post moved each day
• Make sure curtains are not drawn during the day and ensure light timing devices are installed
• Notify the Gardaí that you will be away – they won’t be able to check your house 24-7 but a Garda car driving past once or twice a day can be enough to deter would-be burglars.
• Test your burglar alarm to make sure its working properly, and make sure to set it before you go away!
• Cancel any regular home deliveries i.e. milk, newspapers
• Consider having your grass cut and having the bins put out
• Invite a neighbour to use your driveway while away or else consider using a house-sitter
• Ensure that your luggage tags contain your end destination address rather than your home address as your cases may not end up at your holiday destination
• Check your insurance policy – double check the details of your cover as policies can become invalid if a home is left unoccupied for more than 30 days.
If you are a Zurich customer and have been affected by home burglary or related offences, please call Zurich’s 24-hour emergency claims and notification service on 1890 208 408