Before setting off on your well-deserved holiday, there are a lot of things you need to think about before you board the plane, from what to pack to who’s going to water your plants while you’re gone. But one major thing to consider before going on vacation is securing your home.

Research has found that July and August are frequently recorded as the highest months for spikes in break-ins, which is typically the time of year that the majority of people go on holiday. So, to protect your home and keep your mind at ease while you’re away, here are five smart security essentials you should install before your next holiday.

1. Security camera

(Image credit: eufy)

The most obvious thing to install (if you haven’t yet) is a security camera . A good quality security camera oversees everything that’s happening inside or outside of your home, and records it so if you need to, you can show footage to the police if your house is broken into.

Most of today’s security cameras also have detection features that can recognise humans, pets and vehicles, so you’re not constantly altered to unimportant events, and you can even talk to your visitors through your camera with two-way talk in the brand’s accompanying app.

If you want a full security system, I’d suggest investing in outdoor cameras for the front and back of your home, and an indoor camera for a commonly used area in your home so you can check in on your family members while you’re on holiday or in the office. If you want something smaller, I’d recommend an indoor camera and choosing a video doorbell instead for the outside of your house, which leads me on nicely to the next gadget.

2. Video doorbell

(Image credit: Ring)

I’ve covered smart home for years on T3, and my most commonly used and favourite security gadget is my video doorbell . Having a video doorbell adds an extra layer of security, as it comes with a camera built-in which monitors the comings and goings of the front of your house.

Aside from your video doorbell acting like an additional camera, they’re also handy for any deliveries or visitors. Video doorbells also have two-way talk so you can tell your delivery person that you’re on holiday and ask them to put your parcel somewhere safe.

Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors

3. Window and door sensors

Sensors have somewhat decreased in popularity due to other smart home advancements, but having any type of sensor around the home is extremely useful. Most smart sensors can be used for a plethora of tasks as – depending on the ones you choose – they can detect motion, temperature, pressure and light.

For when you’re on holiday, I’d suggest installing a window or door sensor. These gadgets will detect when a door or window is opened and will alert you. Sensors can also be connected to other smart devices, like lights, so if your sensor detects anything, your lights can turn on, flash or change colour.

4. Smart lights

(Image credit: Signify)

Speaking of lights, the best smart lights are much more than just a fun way to add light and colour to your home. Intruders won’t typically attempt to break in if someone is on the premises, and smart lighting can convince them that you’re home even if you’re not.

Using your smart lights’ app, you can schedule your lights to turn on and off at a certain time to make it appear that you’re home. Your smart lights’ colours can also help keep your home safe if you use them for colour coding alongside your cameras. For example, if your camera detects someone at your door who they don’t recognise, it can trigger your lights to turn a certain colour. This not only informs you that something could be happening at home, but it’ll hopefully put someone off from breaking in.

5. Leak and smoke detectors

(Image credit: SwitchBot)

Putting potential burglaries aside, there are – annoyingly – other things that can go wrong with your home while you’re on holiday, and if you’re not there to spot it, it could destroy your house. From an accidental water leak or a chirping fire alarm, leak and smoke detectors are incredibly handy for spotting these issues quickly and alerting you in time so not too much damage is done.

While you could use sensors for this, a dedicated detector is much more reliable. If you were to be alerted by a leak while on holiday, make sure you’ve given a set of keys to a trusted person so they can help you sort out the issue.

For more travel security advice, check out these 5 security tips to protect your home while on holiday .

Local law

You’re subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

Behaviour that could be considered offensive or antisocial, but not criminal, in Australia could violate UAE law. Anyone breaking UAE laws, even without knowing, may face severe punishments.

UAE law applies to you even if you’re only transiting and don’t leave the airport.

The UAE is a mostly Muslim country. Local laws closely reflect Islamic practices and beliefs.

Sharia or Islamic courts work alongside the civil and criminal courts in the UAE. This can make legal issues and systems complicated.

Even simple legal issues can be complex and take time to be resolved. Custodial sentences are served in local jails.

If you have unresolved criminal charges in the UAE, including unpaid debts, authorities may detain you on arrival, even if you’re in transit.

You can enquire about your legal status through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department online enquiry service or through the Government of Dubai Public Prosecutor online enquiry service.

Your UAE Unified Identity Number can be retrieved through the online Unified Number Enquiry Service.

Legal process

If you come to the attention of UAE authorities, your case will be dealt with by the local legal and judicial system. This differs significantly from Australia’s legal system.

If you’re arrested, authorities may hold you for a long time before your case goes to trial. UAE authorities can hold your passport and stop you from leaving the country. Even simple legal issues can take a long time to resolve. Custodial sentences are served in local jails.

If you’re going to be deported, you’ll be in immigration detention for at least 24 hours before being allowed to leave the UAE.

To get a list of lawyers who can represent you, either:

download from Australian Embassy and Consulate-General in the UAE

call the Consular Emergency Centre in Canberra

If you’re arrested or jailed, we will do what we can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can’t get you out of trouble or out of jail.

More information:

Laws in individual emirates

The UAE is made up of 7 emirates, each with its own justice system. Laws, legal procedures and penalties vary between systems.

There’s a federal court system with a final court of appeal in Abu Dhabi. This is called the Federal Supreme Court. Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah aren’t part of this system.

Commercial, civil and family law disputes

Australians are often involved in disputes where local firms or courts have taken their passport. This prevents them from leaving the UAE until the dispute is settled.

You can be jailed or stopped from leaving the UAE for offences including:

having a cheque dishonoured

not paying bills, including court fines, hotel bills, personal loans and local credit cards

Immigration authorities can refuse you entry if you have a criminal record. It won’t matter how long ago the offence took place.

If you travel to the UAE with an active case against you, including an unpaid UAE debt, authorities are likely to detain you on arrival. This applies even if you’re only in transit and don’t plan to leave the airport. Speak to a lawyer before you travel if you think you might have an unsettled case against you.

Bail is generally not available to non-residents arrested for fraud. You can be jailed until debts are settled.

If you take part in activities involving local legal matters, get professional legal advice. This is particularly relevant for family law matters including:

divorce

child custody

child support

Ask a legal professional about your rights and responsibilities.

If you have children or assets in the UAE, get local legal advice about preparing a local will or registering a foreign will. Information is also available through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department Foreign Communities Awareness.

Drugs

The UAE has a zero-tolerance policy towards drugs, including for travellers transiting through the country.

Penalties for drug trafficking may include the death penalty, or a sentence up to life imprisonment.

Penalties for having or using illegal drugs include lengthy jail terms and heavy fines. These laws also apply if you’re transiting through the UAE.

If illegal drugs are found in blood or urine tests, this is considered possession. It won’t matter where or how long ago you consumed the drugs.

You can be charged with possession if trace amounts of drugs are found on your body, clothing or luggage. You can be convicted for 0.05g or less.

Avoid carrying substances that could be mistaken for drugs or drug equipment. This can include, for example, marijuana-flavoured or branded:

liquor

tea

chewing gum

lollies

Lab testing on suspicious substances could take days or weeks. During this time, authorities could detain you without bail.

More information:

Media activity

You must obtain permission in advance from the Emirati authorities to undertake media activity relating to the production, transmission or distribution of printed, digital, audio, video or visual information. If you fail to do this, you could be arrested and deported from the UAE.

You can get more information on obtaining the necessary permits to carry out media activity in the UAE and bringing media equipment into the UAE by registering online at the Media Regulatory Office website.

Crime

Violent and petty crime

Crime levels are high in Sierra Leone, including in Freetown.

Common crimes include:

armed robbery

violent assault

carjacking

pickpocketing and mugging

bag snatching

Petty crime is increasing. It is common on the ferry to and from Lungi International Airport, near beach resorts and in bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Security risks increase at night. Some criminals target travellers and foreigners.

To reduce your risk of crime:

watch your personal belongings and avoiding displaying signs of personal wealth

avoid walking in isolated areas or going out after dark

lock your accommodation, even when you’re in it

arrange your transport in advance

avoid using public transport

keep car windows up and doors locked, even when moving

Reporting Crime

The Sierra Leone Police charge foreign nationals a fee for police reports. They will not issue a crime reference number, which is needed for most insurance claims, without a police report. Do not pay the police directly. Make your payment to the Sierra Leone Police Revenue Generation Fund account at the Bank of Sierra Leone and get a receipt.

There’s no charge if you want to report a crime but don’t need a crime reference number.

Border areas

The security situation in border areas could deteriorate rapidly. Violent clashes have occurred. Criminal gangs and smugglers operate in these areas. Border closures may occur with little notice.

More information:

Scams and fraud

Internet scams come in many forms, including romance, friendship, business and job offers. These scams often come from West Africa and usually start in internet dating sites, chat rooms or via email.

Once the online friendship develops, your friend or prospective business or marriage partner might ask you to send money to help them in a difficult situation or for an investment opportunity.

Criminals might also:

ask to transfer large amounts of money to an overseas bank account and offer you a percentage

provide fake cashier cheques for urgent shipments of goods

ask for large fees for fake government contracts

offer to purchase precious minerals or diamonds on your behalf

lure you to Sierra Leone for a business opportunity

In some cases, the relationship ends, and your money is gone. In other cases, you could be lured to Africa to meet your friend. You may be kidnapped, assaulted or robbed.

Don’t travel to Sierra Leone to get your money back. Some victims have been killed.

To protect yourself from scams:

be wary of online contact from people you don’t know

don’t send money to anyone until you’ve thoroughly checked them

be cautious when posting information on social media

check your bank statements for any authorised transactions

use ATMs located inside a bank or business

If you’re the victim of a scam, get legal advice.

More information:

Kidnapping

Kidnapping can happen anywhere, anytime, including in destinations that are typically at lower risk. The Australian Government’s longstanding policy is that it doesn’t make payments or concessions to kidnappers.

More information:

Kidnapping

Cyber security

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to public Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don’t comment on local or political events on your social media.

More information:

Civil unrest and political tension

The security situation in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is volatile across the country.

Conflict between government forces and armed groups in the east has escalated. The security situation in and around Goma has deteriorated and closure of airspace is possible. The security situation in other regions of Eastern DRC may deteriorate with no warning.

There are over 130 active armed groups in eastern DRC. Armed conflict has caused widespread civilian displacement and deaths. Conflict between local armed groups and government forces is ongoing. It’s a more serious threat in eastern and northern provinces. This includes:

Kasai, Kasai Central and Kasai Oriental provinces

South Kivu, North Kivu, Ituri, Maniema, Tanganyika, Bas-Uélé and Haut-Uélé provinces where fighting has displaced hundreds of thousands of people

Mai Ndombe province

In the eastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, military administrations have replaced civilian administrations until further notice. The military administrations have been granted extended security powers, and there is potential for increased armed conflict in the region during this time.

A large UN military presence and several aid organisations operate in the DRC. This includes the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). On 25 July 2022, large protests began in the cities of Beni, Betembo, Goma and Rutshuru targeting MONUSCO. MONUSCO sites have been looted and the demonstrations have resulted in deaths. Avoid crowds, demonstrations and sites associated with MONUSCO in eastern DRC.

Some non-government organisations have suspended operations in North and South Kivu due to the security situation.

Intercommunal violence in Mai Ndombe province, particularly in the territory of Kwamouth, has escalated. Intercommunal violence may continue to increase and lead to further deaths and displacement.

If you’re in an affected area:

Shelter in place until it’s safe to leave

Always exercise extreme caution

Arrange effective personal safety measures

Monitor local media for updates

Keep your passport and other travel documents (e.g. visas, flights) up to date and secure.

Regularly review your contingency plans in light of local developments. If you travel to DRC despite our advice, be ready to leave at short notice if the situation worsens. You should also seek professional security advice.

Demonstrations and protests

Civil unrest and political violence can occur in Kinshasa, including outside some foreign embassies and UN offices. Protesters may start fires and thrown rocks at vehicles. Foreigners may be randomly targeted.

Public protests and events that draw large groups can quickly turn violent.

To protect yourself from violence:

avoid demonstrations and protests

limit your movements

monitor local media and other information sources for updates

follow the advice of local authorities

be prepared to shelter in place if necessary and depart if safe to do so.

Security incidents can occur in Kinshasa, including:

riots

demonstrations

attacks on vehicles

During periods of unrest, the only road to the N’Djili Airport in Kinshasa may be blocked. Flight schedules may be disrupted. Confirm flight schedules with your airline or travel provider.

Curfews may be imposed with little notice. Monitor local media for updates and follow the advice of local authorities.

More information: