Editors Note: This is a guest post written by Alex Pardington from Automation Associates. 

I came out of an important pitch meeting last week. I was pretty chuffed with myself, gave myself a high five and felt a cool breeze…somewhere that I shouldn’t. We’ll brush over the absolute horror and just say that the wardrobe malfunction sent me on a direct trajectory toward home for a change of breeches. But…where’s my key?

I knew at this point my lack of parkour skills was going to set the scene. The only viable entrance point was via an ungraceful scale of the fence and an inelegant hoisting of the old bod through a window I found that wasn’t locked. I’ll be honest. It wasn’t pretty. But the cat was entertained and the pants got changed.

Now, while some would consider this a success story there are a few lessons to be learned...

• Start training in parkour early.
• If you can Cirque Du Soleil your way in to your house, a cat burglar can too. (Possibly with more grace.)
• Set your alarm every time you go out – don’t give the bad guys time to get in and sift around.
• Get an alarm if you don’t already have one, and either self-monitor or engage a monitoring company.
• Consider keyless or remote entry for your home and open your door with your phone.

Now is a really good time to sort out your security before you go on your summer jaunt.
Remember to:

• Test your alarm is working before you go away for your holiday.
• Advise your monitoring company of your plans.
• Set your alarm when you're out or away.
• Make it clear your property is protected by using signage.
• Install some security lighting to deter intruders.
• Let your neighbours know your movements – give them a contact number.
• Ask them to clear your mailbox or ask the post office to put your mail on hold.
• Secure your valuables in a safe or somewhere out of sight.
• Run your vacation mode lighting to give the appearance of occupation.
• Book the cattery, or even better, get someone to house-sit with Mittens the Kitten. 

Our friends at Automation Associates tell us that they’ve recently had alerts from multiple clients in Herne Bay and Remuera regarding intruders caught on their or their neighbours properties. Reports are of unofficial-looking people with clipboards "assessing" properties, break-ins and burglaries. The Ministry of Justice also reports a jump in convictions and sentences for property offences last calendar year.

There are loads of different options to suits different budgets. A couple of client favourites are beams that will tell you if someone is skulking around outside your property day or night and cameras that you can view from your phone while you're home or away. The trick is to make your property unattractive to the bad guys.

Make sure you’re sorted for your summer holiday. For free advice or some security stickers phone 09 377 3778 or email sales@aa.net.nz or book a one hour alarm service and battery replacement for just $239. And make sure to visit the Automation Associates display at Home Ideas. 

Automation Associates
aa.net.nz