Holiday Season Tips & Advice

The holiday season is a time for relaxing, travelling, and spending time with family and friends. Unfortunately, it’s also a period where home break-ins and opportunistic theft tend to rise across Victoria.

To help you enjoy a stress-free break, we’ve put together a simple Holiday Home Security Checklist. These small steps can make a big difference in keeping your home protected while you’re away.

1. Lock and secure all entry points

• Check every door and window before leaving, and ensure locks are functioning properly.

• Don’t forget sliding doors, side gates, and garage access doors.

• Ensure sheds and garden storage are securely locked.

2. Test your home alarm system

• Make sure your alarm is arming correctly.

• Replace batteries in wireless sensors if needed.

• Update your emergency contact list with Standby Security if anything has changed.

• If you don’t have monitoring, consider adding it before you travel.

3. Check your CCTV cameras

• Clean camera lenses for a clearer image (especially any cobwebs).

• Make sure everything is recording properly.

• Confirm your mobile app access is working before you go (or we can help set it up).

4. Make your home look lived-in

• Set timers for indoor lights.

• Leave a car in the driveway if possible.

• Ask a neighbour to bring in your mail and put bins out/in.

• Avoid announcing travel plans publicly on social media.

5. Secure your garage, workshop and outdoor areas

Many break-ins start at the garage or shed.

• Lock up tools, ladders, and outdoor equipment.

• Don’t leave valuables in plain sight.

• If you have high-value tools, bikes, or a show car, consider upgrading protection with a monitored alarm or Fog Cop system..

6. Protect your valuables inside the home

• Keep jewellery, passports, and small electronics out of sight.

• Use a home safe if you have one.

• Close blinds/curtains in rooms with valuable items.

7. Plan with your neighbours (if you have good ones!)

• Let a trusted neighbour know when you’re away.

• Give them a contact number in case something doesn’t look right.

• Offer to swap the favour when they travel.

8. Pets and safety

• If pets are staying home with a sitter, ensure they know how to arm/disarm the alarm.

• Show them where sensors are so they don’t accidentally trigger the system.

• You still have time to book a service for your alarm and surveillance systems — even if they weren’t originally installed by us.

• We offer 24/7 professional monitoring starting from $45 per month, with no lock-in contracts.

• Mobile patrols are also available for added peace of mind while you’re away.