Everyone needs a holiday some time, and however much you like your home, there's nothing like a change of surroundings. But you want to come home and find everything as you left it. Four out of five burglaries occur when a house or flat is empty, so don't advertise that you are away on holiday.

Plan ahead - a checklist (available below) will help you to keep your home secure. Print it out and mark off the items just before you go

It's also a good idea to get help from your neighbours. All you have to do is complete a letter like the one below and give it to a friend or neighbour. It asks them to keep an eye on your home while you're away.

You could also ask them to collect post left in the letter-box, sweep up leaves, even mow the lawn and generally make the place look lived in.

You can repay the favour by doing the same for them. Warn your key-holding neighbour not to put your surname, address or even your house number on your keys in case they fall into the wrong hands.

Is there a Neighbourhood Watch scheme where you live? It could help you keep your home secure while you're away, and has many other crime prevention and community benefits.