How to keep your home safe when you go on holiday

Holidaymakers can ensure peace-of-mind by asking the police to keep an eye on their property while they are away.

The home-safety programme is a free service offered by Dubai Police, in which officers keep registered homes under surveillance while the inhabitants are out of the country. The service is available only for villas or houses, not apartments.

The owner or tenant must ensure all windows and doors are locked and that valuables have been deposited in a safe at a bank.

He or she must then visit the Dubai Police website and go to the home-safety programme application form. It requires personal information and the dates of absence.

If the application is successful, the owner or tenant will receive a text message confirming the registration. Police will then make contact to confirm the location and personal details.

Anyone experiencing problems during the registration process, or in need of any other clarification, can visit their nearest police station. Those using the service should unsubscribe from it upon their return, which may be done online or in person.

wissa@thenational.ae

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