#FOBA aka Fear Of Being Away is one of those terms that has recently become very popular. We all have concerns when we are away from our beloved homes either on holiday or working away for extended periods of time. For someone (mwah) who is constantly traveling every chance I get, it would come across as surprising to think I ‘suffer’ from FOBA. I am always thinking, did I turn my stove off, switch of my slow cooker or shut my door properly and so on.
I love to travel more than I ever thought possible, I am always on a hunt for the next deal, I have alerts set up for bucketlist travel destinations and I am constantly checking how I can best utilise my weekends. But in spite of me having such a huge love for travel, I also have a huge case of FOBA.
Fear Of Being Away happens to all of us, most of us are worried about our homes and the contents we’ve spent our hard-earned cash on (or even worse, pay later plans we have in place for some of our homely contents). Ever since I moved into my apartment over a year ago and had to purchase everything myself, I realised the importance of always ensuring I have checked my home security before I leave my apartment.
When I was living with my parents, I never really put much thought into the security of our family home outside locking the door on my way out. Living on my own has made me realise just how much I took for granted when I was living with my parents.
If you have the same case of FOBA as I do, here are a few tips that you can implement to ensure your home is safe whilst you’re away.
Ask your neighbor to be on the lookout
I know this day and age, not everyone is ‘social’ with their neighbours nor even know who there neighbours are but if you’re then it’s good idea to ask them to be on the look out for suspicious people on your property. You don’t have to give your neighbour your house keys just now and again looking out there window across to hour property is enough.
Ensure you lock all windows and doors
I live on the top floor and I know many people who think living on top floor or having a terraced out you can leave the Windows upstairs open is ok, it is NOT. Always ensure that you lock all windows and doors and double-check them before living.
Install home security system
There are so many home systems on the market now we are all spoilt for choose. My brother and his family have a home system which they are diligent about turning on before they leave the house but as I said the home system is only good if you ensure you have locked all windows and doors so it is engaged. Many companies like Panasonic offer home systems that helps ease your mind whilst away. Check out this video of Dave, the Dog put together by Panasonic.
DAVE IS BACK… and this time he’s on holiday! His owners have gone away and left him in charge of the house. But thanks to them installing the Panasonic Smart Home, an easy to install and operate home monitoring system that protects your property in minutes, DAVE too can have a vacation… So now we can all have a carefree Summer chilling on the beach in Marbella or sipping cocktails in Vancouver without any FOBA (Fear Of Being Away) thanks to Panasonic’s super smart home security system
Switch a light on when away
This might seem odd and a waste of electricity but you would be surprised how often a thief is deterred if you’ve kept your light on because it gives the illusion that someone is home. If your home is all dark for the entire period you’re away, it’s easier for thieves to target your home and steal from you.
Ask family to check in
Just like asking your neighbours to be on the look out, you can also ask family members if they don’t live too far off. If you will be away for more than a week and you don’t have security seem it makes sense to make use of your family as well as neighbours. I know some people register for house sitters so that could be another way you could protect your home.
These are the tips that I use to ensure that I keep FOBA at bay whilst I travel across the globe. What are some of your tips that you use to ensure you protect your home and enjoy your time away?
Beautyqueenuk says
Some fab tips and I do suffer from FOBA for sure, I almost want cctv inside the house so I can see the cats x
Camilla says
Great tips, I am very security conscious and do all the locking up here!
Anosa says
Same here but doesn’t stop me worrying like mad
Olivia Jade says
I am going away next week and this is bothering me so much! I am going to ask my mum if she can pop in whilst I am away x
Anosa says
Having family or friends pop over can help ease your mind
fashion-mommy says
Such good tips, I think the idea of being broken into is the biggest cause of FOBA.
Anosa says
So true
Rhian Westbury says
I have this as well, there’s always those worries of did I shut that window or did I lock the door properly. I also worry I’ll miss out on social activities others are doing x
Anosa says
I keno the feeling very well. Thanks for sharing Rhian
Mellissa Williams says
I do have this as well! I love to travel but worry about being away. Luckily I live in a flat and there is always someone there downstairs to check on the flat for us
Anosa says
That’s what I love about living in my apartment, there is always someone downstairs to check
Elanor says
I’m terrible for worrying about things when I leave home and I’m always double checking the cooker and the plug sockets! You mention some really good tips here, thanks for sharing you advice! 🙂
Anosa says
I worry when I am leaving but once outside the country it’s YOLO lol
I have my sister as back-up too
Michaela YorkshireMum Britton says
I am lucky that my neighbours are lovely and I live on the same street as my parents so they keep an eye on the house whilst we are away x
Anosa says
Aww how lovely is that.
Natalia says
These are great tips that I think everyone could do, even if they don’t suffer from FOBA, as it’s good to prevent “surprises” when we arrive home. Really good post, I also didn’t know about the FOBA concept, it’s good to know that that’s thing 🙂 xx
Miranda says
Thanks Natalia, it’s a new term to me as well.
Kirsty Hijacked by Twins says
These are all great tips. When we go away we have my parents going down everyday to feed the chickens and rabbits so that gives us some peace of mind x
Miranda says
That’s lovely that your parents are able to help out whilst you’re away
Kara Guppy says
I am lucky that my adult daughter house sits for us when we are away
Miranda says
How lovely of her
Anna nuttall says
I was thinking of installing something similar when parents goes away – just to give them a piece of mind. I love the video. xx
Miranda says
Aww I am glad you like it
Clare aka Emmy's Mummy says
Very good tips. We have a timer which we use to switch on the lights in the evenings and when away
Miranda says
How cool, I didn’t know they were timers that can be used like that
Nina - Ready For A Cuppa says
Some great tips. Luckily I have a shop on the front of my house and an annexe that I rent to my dad on the back so when we are away there is always people about.
Miranda says
Thanks
That’s nice to have family so close by