Don’t leave the key in the lock while on holiday

DUBAI: From forgetting to lock their front door to leaving the key in the lock to leaving their valuables on countertops, many Dubai residents seem to throw all caution to the wind when they go on vacation.

Home safety and security service providers said they frequently come across instances of residents neglecting safety in spite of being aware of the consequences such negligence could lead to.

Lock all entry points

“You’d be surprised how many times our security team comes across homes with keys still dangling in the lock. Another area of carelessness that many fall victim to from time to time is a general lack of observation. People do not realise there are many entry points to their home; and they leave them open. For instance many do not bolt in their window ACs tightly,” Tej B. Raj Lohia, Managing Director of Eagle Hunters Security, told XPRESS.

Citing an incident in Jumeirah a few years ago, he said intruders popped out the AC, walked in and took away valuables from a house.

Security experts emphasise that residents must take proper safety measures when they go on a vacation. The Dubai Police also provide residents with a free Housing Security Programme wherein they can register with the local police station when they are away on vacation so the police can keep a watch on their apartment.

“The first thing you need to do is inform your neighbours when you go on vacation or ask a family who lives nearby to keep a watch. Besides, you need to ensure that all entry points to your home are properly locked, use a high quality knob-in-lock set with a dead latch mechanism and ideally, affix an intruder alarm system,” said Lohia.

However, most residents do not pay due attention to security. “In apartments, people who don’t put up screens or dividers on their balconies make their homes easily accessible to thieves who can come in from the neighbouring balcony.”

A resident of the old Pakistani consulate area in Bur Dubai told XPRESS: “I usually go on vacation for about a month and a half during summer. We have never heard of any theft in this area.” Asked whether she informed her neighbours about her vacation, she said: “No, I have never really thought about it.”

Lohia’s final words: “You might have a lot on your to-do list prior to leaving for your vacation. But you must ensure you double check things and you’ll be thankful to yourself afterwards.”

Safety Tips

1. First, inform any close neighbors regarding your vacation.

2. Use a high quality knob-in-lock set with a dead latch mechanism so door knobs cannot be accessed easily. Best practice is to affix an intruder alarm system in your house.

3. Avoid leaving to many valuables i.e. jewelry and cash at home or leaving it in visible sight i.e. on a window sill or countertop.

4. All exterior doors and locks should be reinforced with a sliding lock.