Summer holidays are the busiest travel period in Perth — and unfortunately one of the most common times for break-ins, electrical faults, and appliance damage.

Before you lock up and hit the road, it’s worth taking a few steps to make sure your home stays safe, secure, and protected while you’re away.

This guide covers the electrical essentials that prevent intruders, reduce fire risks, and avoid costly damage when your home is left unattended.

1. Install Outdoor Motion Sensor Lighting

Motion lights are one of the simplest and most effective ways to deter intruders.

Why they matter:

Sudden light scares off opportunistic break-ins
Bright illumination exposes hidden areas
Protects entry points: driveways, backyard gates, verandas, garages

Best locations:

Front entrance
Side access
Patio and back door
Near sheds or garages

If your outdoor lighting is outdated, dim, or non-existent, upgrading before the holidays is a smart move.

2. Use Timer Switches to Make Your Home Look Occupied

A dark, inactive home is an obvious sign no one’s there — especially over Christmas when many homes are empty.

Timer switches can:

Turn lights on and off automatically
Mimic daily activity
Deter intruders by making your home look lived-in

Ideas for use:

Living room lights on at sunset
Bedroom lamp turning on later in the evening
Outdoor lighting scheduled to run at specific times

Timers are inexpensive and highly effective — or upgrade to smart systems for full control.

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3. Consider Smart Switches, Smart Plugs & Security Cameras

Smart home systems let you control your property from anywhere.

Benefits:

Turn lights on/off remotely
Receive motion alerts
Monitor your front door or driveway
Sync lights with activity patterns
Check in on pets, deliveries, or unusual movement

Paired with sensor lights outside, this adds a strong security layer.

4. Turn Off Non-Essential Appliances Before Leaving

Many homeowners leave everything plugged in while being away for days or weeks — but this increases both power use and fire risk.

Turn off:

TVs
Gaming consoles
Microwaves
Spare fridges/freezers not in use
Chargers
Small appliances

Leave on:

Main fridge
Security cameras
Smart systems
Essential medical devices
Pool equipment (unless instructed otherwise)

Reducing load protects your electrical system and saves money while you’re gone.

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5. Protect Your Home From Summer Storm Damage

December storms in WA can cause:

Power surges
RCD trips
Appliance failure
Damage to circuitry

To prevent costly surprises:

Install surge protection
Make sure your switchboard is up to date
Ensure outdoor outlets are weatherproof
Secure loose wiring and cords around the property

If your home experiences a surge while you’re away, you may not notice the damage until appliances fail — so prepping beforehand matters.

6. Do a Simple Pre-Holiday Electrical Check Before You Leave

Here’s a quick checklist to run through:

All outdoor lights working
Sensor lights positioned correctly
Timers programmed
Non-essential appliances unplugged
Outdoor outlets sealed
Pool pump system running correctly
RCDs tested
No cords running through doors or windows
No overloaded power boards
Switchboard cool and operating normally

If anything seems off, it’s best to have a licensed electrician look at it before you head away.

Book a Pre-Holiday Electrical Safety & Security Check

A quick visit now can save you from:

Break-ins
Appliance failure
Fire hazards
Expensive insurance claims
Returning home to electrical damage

Fill out the form below to book your pre-holiday safety check or request a call back.

Head into the holidays with peace of mind — your home will be protected while you’re gone

Heading Away This Christmas? Here’s How to Secure Your Home Before You Go