Protecting your home when you are away 

Remember… your home and possessions belong to you. No one has the right to enter your home to take your property without your permission.

You can make it hard for thieves by taking simple, common sense precautions and by properly securing your property.

• Always remember to lock all doors and windows when you go away. Fit window locks on your windows and hide the keys
• Don't tell strangers your name by having it on your letterbox. Before going on holiday, stop paper deliveries and ask a neighbour to collect your mail
• Install deadlocks on exterior doors, including an internal door to the garage
• Install bars or a grille to stop burglars from sliding the glass out of louvre windows
• Install night security lighting that is sensitive to movement
• Fit deadlocks on sliding ranch doors and French door
• Keep your garage or basement locked - a close shackle padlock and strong staple and hasp will provide extra security
• Lock ladders and put away tools
• Arrange for the grass to be cut and keep shrubs trimmed so that they do not cloak an intruder's activities
• Establish or join a Neighbourhood Support Group in your area simply by getting a couple of neighbours together. Make sure your Support Group has been supplied with Community Support street signs and stickers. They are powerful deterrents. For more information visit the Neighbourhood Support website
• Don't leave a key in a convenient hiding place
• Keep blinds and curtains open
• Turn the telephone down so that it cannot be heard from the street
• Arrange for a neighbour or friend to park their car in your driveway occasionally
• Don't leave house keys with your car keys when having your vehicles serviced

For more safety tips, visit the New Zealand Police website.

Get a Contents Insurance quote

For your contents insurance quote or for more information about TOWER's insurance policies, call us on 0800 379 372 Monday - Sunday 8.00am - 8.00pm or complete TOWER's online quote
request form and we will contact you.