Make your home look like someone is living in it:

Use automatic timer-switches to turn your lights and radios on when it goes dark.

Cancel any newspaper or milk deliveries.

Use the Royal Mail's 'keepsafe' service - they keep your mail for up to 2 months while you're away. Mail sitting on your doorstep is a sign that you are away.

Keep valuables out of sight and don't leave them where they can be seen through a window.

Make sure all doors and windows are shut and locked.

Avoid discussing holiday plans on public social networking sites - burglars can use any information you post on there to their advantage.

Check you household insurance is valid and make sure all your valuable possessions are included on the policy.

Leave curtains and blinds open. Nothing reveals that a house is unoccupied so much as curtains drawn during the day. Ask a trusted neighbour  to help you by opening and closing curtains, collecting your post, and they could park their car on your driveway.

Don't make telltale status updates. Never broadcast your location on Facebook or Twitter. Even if you think that it's only your friends or colleagues viewing your online profiles, it's safest not to leave any sort of opening for a possible burglar.

Alert your alarm company. If you have an automatic security system in place, call your representative, announcing you'll be away from home for an extended period of time. Make sure the alarm is set properly when you leave.

Lock the garage. Even if there is no entrance to your house from the garage, there's still a chance for numerous things to be stolen. Secure the door and any entrances to the garage.