With the Easter holiday period approaching, Australians heading away are being urged to take a closer look at their home security before they leave. Speaking on a recent appearance on Channel 7’s Sunrise, security expert Gina Field highlighted a concerning trend: break-ins spike significantly during holiday periods, and more often than not, it comes down to simple, avoidable oversights.
One of the most striking points Gina raised is that 31% of Australians are still leaving their front doors unlocked or open. The result is a home being broken into every 5.5 minutes across the country due to an unlocked entry point alone. Even those in apartments are not immune — while less common at higher levels, unsecured building entry points or accidentally buzzed-in strangers can still create vulnerabilities.
Gina outlined several practical steps families can take before heading off. Topping the list is avoiding sharing holiday plans on community social media pages, particularly posts that include images taken outside the front of the home, near a letterbox, or showing a vehicle’s registration plate — all details that can inadvertently signal an empty property to opportunistic thieves.
Making a home look occupied is another key priority. Gina recommends using timer switches or solar lights for those on a budget, and where possible, enlisting a trusted neighbour to turn lights on and off throughout the day. Neighbours can also play a vital role in collecting mail and newspapers, bringing in bins after collection day, and holding a spare set of keys — far safer than the old habit of hiding a key under a rock or near the front door, a trick that is well known to experienced burglars.
Finally, Gina reminded Sunrise viewers to review their home and contents insurance before travelling, so that in the unlikely event something does go wrong, they are not caught off guard. Her overall message was clear: a few simple, proactive steps taken before you leave can make all the difference in keeping your home safe while you enjoy the break.
