Whether you’re travelling for annual home leave, Christmas and New Year, a long weekend, or during the Lebaran holiday period, an unattended home can become more vulnerable to theft or other security issues. Fortunately, a few practical precautions can significantly reduce your risk and give you greater peace of mind while you’re away.
Maintain Good Relationships with Domestic Staff and Neighbours
One of the most effective forms of home security in Indonesia is maintaining positive relationships with your household staff, neighbours, and residential management.
Over many years, we have observed that expatriates who have respectful and trusting relationships with their staff are generally less likely to experience theft or security problems. Disgruntled current or former employees who know your routines and the layout of your home can present a greater security risk than opportunistic outsiders.
If you live in a housing compound or apartment, inform the management office or security team that you will be away and provide an emergency contact number if appropriate. Trusted neighbours can also help by keeping an eye on your property and notifying you if anything unusual occurs.
Give Clear Instructions to Household Staff
Ensure your household staff understand exactly what is expected while you are away.
They should:
- Never admit unexpected visitors without your prior approval, even if the visitor claims to know you or appears to be another expatriate.
- Verify the identity of anyone claiming to be from a utility company, internet provider, courier service, or maintenance company before allowing entry.
- Contact you immediately if anyone requests access to the property unexpectedly.
Well-meaning staff may allow strangers into a home simply because they wish to avoid appearing impolite. Make it clear that protecting the home always comes before avoiding embarrassment.
Protect Your Privacy
Staff should never disclose:
- where you are travelling
- how long you will be away
- when you are expected to return
- whether other family members are at home
If someone calls asking for you, a simple response such as:
“I’m sorry, he/she isn’t available at the moment. May I take your name and phone number?”
is all that is required.
The same advice applies to social media. Avoid posting real-time holiday updates or announcing that your house will be empty. Consider sharing vacation photos after you return home.
Make the Home Look Occupied
An occupied-looking house is generally less attractive to opportunistic thieves.
If staff remain at the property, ask them to continue normal household routines, such as:
- opening curtains in the morning
- turning lights on in the evening
- watering the garden
- maintaining the yard
- bringing in mail or deliveries
Where practical, use timer switches or smart lighting to vary indoor lighting during the evening.
Arrange Occasional Visits
Ask a trusted friend, neighbour, colleague, or property manager to visit your home periodically while you are away.
These visits:
- confirm everything is functioning normally
- reinforce to staff that the property is being monitored
- discourage theft or unauthorized visitors
- identify maintenance issues such as water leaks or electrical problems before they become serious
If you have CCTV installed, ensure cameras are functioning properly and that you can access them remotely before leaving.
Keep Staff Records Up to Date
It remains good practice to keep copies of important staff information, including:
- Indonesian identity card (KTP)
- recent photograph
- emergency contact details
- permanent home address
Store these records securely, either in a home safe or digitally in a secure location.
When hiring new domestic staff, verify references whenever possible. Many expatriates hire through recommendations from trusted friends or relocation companies. If hiring independently, you may also consider using a reputable employment agency or professional background screening service.
Secure Valuables
Before leaving:
- Lock valuables, passports, spare keys, jewellery, and important documents in a quality safe.
- Lock rooms or cupboards that staff do not need access to.
- Remove unnecessary cash from the home.
- Back up important electronic files to secure cloud storage or an external drive kept separately.
Check Your Home Before Departure
Before leaving for an extended trip:
- Test all door and window locks.
- Ensure alarm systems and CCTV are working.
- Disconnect unnecessary electrical appliances.
- Turn off the water supply if appropriate for your home.
- Arrange for pets, pools, and gardens to be cared for if required.
- Confirm smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are in working order.
Enjoy Your Holiday with Peace of Mind
Most expatriates travel without experiencing any problems at home. Taking sensible precautions before you leave greatly reduces the likelihood of theft or damage and allows you to enjoy your holiday knowing your home is as secure as possible.
