For many of us, a staycation is one of the most anticipated events in the calendar – a chance to get away from it all and enjoy a well-earned break. However, worrying about whether your home is secure while you’re gone and if your vehicle is safe in an unfamiliar area can put a downer on your holiday.
Luckily, here at Halfords we’ve got plenty of home safety and car security solutions to give you the peace of mind that everything is looked after, both back home and while you’re away. With the warmer weather here, we thought it was the perfect time to walk you through our top picks:
Car Security
When staying at a campsite or parking somewhere without a garage or driveway, it’s natural to feel uneasy about leaving your car unattended. Even a short trip away can feel risky in an unfamiliar area.
Fortunately, there are several effective ways to deter opportunistic thieves and protect your vehicle.
Steering wheel locks
Steering wheel locks are a favourite car security method, and for good reason. They act as both a physical barrier and a visible deterrent, preventing the wheel from turning even if someone gains access to your car.
Types:
- Bar locks: Traditional metal bar systems
- Disc locks: Cover the entire steering wheel
Benefits:
- Strong visual deterrent
- Prevents vehicle movement
- Available in compact or heavy-duty designs
Bar Locks
For bar locks, you can’t do much better than the Stoplock Pro Steering Lock. It is made from extremely durable materials, and even comes with a 10 year guarantee.
For a smaller option, the Halfords T-Bar Steering Wheel Lock is ideal.
It takes seconds to fit and can be easily stored in your car for convenient protection away from home. The head of the lock has a foam lining to prevent any scratching or damage to your steering wheel, and the vibrant yellow colour is designed to deter any thieves from attempting to break into your vehicle.
Disc Lock
Our disc lock choice is the Disklok Steering Wheel Lock, which comes with a gold rating from Sold Secure. Disklok are renowned for their high-quality, award-winning locks, which guard against various theft techniques.
With an anti-drill and anti-pick lock, the Disklok is extremely hard to remove, even with the help of power tools and cutting equipment, and the striking full-coverage design is a great visual deterrent.
As well as preventing the steering wheel from moving, the Disklok also helps to guard against modern theft techniques like keyless entry workarounds and car key cloning, as well as preventing air bag theft.
Key signal blockers
Modern keyless entry systems can be vulnerable to RFID theft, where criminals clone your key fob signal.
While modern car key fobs are handy, they can also leave you at risk. Thieves can clone the signal your key fob gives out and then use it to unlock your vehicle – this is known as RFID theft. You can protect yourself and your car from this by using a Car Key Signal Blocker to store your keys. It’s a protective pouch also known as a Faraday Wallet that you can get in grey, blue, red, or black.
Benefits:
- Blocks radio signals from key fobs
- Prevents signal amplification attacks
- Can also store cards, remotes, and small electronics securely
Window etching
Window etching involves marking your car’s windows with a unique ID linked to a national database.
Benefits:
- Acts as a visible theft deterrent
- Helps police identify and recover stolen vehicles
Etched cars are:
- Less likely to be stolen
- More likely to be recovered
Having your car etched is a great theft deterrent, since etched vehicles are 45% less likely to be stolen. But, if the worst does happen, they’re also 50% more likely to be recovered versus a non-etched vehicle, so it’s well worth doing – you can book online now, or find your local Halfords store.
GPS trackers
If your car is stolen in an unfamiliar area, it can be near-impossible for you or the police to know where to look for it.
A GPS Tracker is a great way to ensure a speedy recovery if your car is stolen, sending a signal via GPS to your smartphone of the live location of your vehicle. This can then be relayed to the police so they can recover your vehicle for you.
GPS trackers are also handy as peace of mind that your car is still where you left it, whether that’s parked up while you enjoy some sight-seeing, or back home on your drive.
Wheel clamps
Another great visual deterrent with the strength to back it up is a wheel clamp. A wheel clamp fits around your car wheel to prevent anyone driving off.
Benefits:
- Strong visual deterrent
- Made from reinforced steel
- Resistant to cutting and tampering
- Suitable for temporary or long-term parking
One of our favourites is the Bulldog Euroclamp Security Wheel Clamp – it’s lightweight and easy to transport, fitted with protective tips to eliminate damage to alloy wheels, but there’s no compromise on security. Gold rated by Sold Secure, the locking arms are made of strengthened steel with reinforcing strips, and the lock is both drill and pick-resistant. You don’t need keys to lock it, simply snap the lock shut and you’re good to go.
Motorcycle security
Motorcycles are more vulnerable to theft, so using multiple locks is strongly recommended.
Best practices:
- Combine different lock types (e.g., chain + shackle lock)
- Use high-strength materials like hardened steel
- Look for security certifications (e.g., Sold Secure ratings)
Benefits:
- Increased deterrence
- Reduced risk of theft
- Some products include insurance-related protection
The MagnumPlus Gigantes Shackle Lock is another great choice, with a gold rating from Sold Secure, a lifetime warranty and £300 insurance excess cover. It’s comprised of a 16.8mm hardened steel TriRadius shackle, and the design has been carefully considered to resist all forms of cutting or jacking, with a rounded design and centred keyway to eliminate pry points.
For the ultimate motorcycle security system, team one of these locks with the MagnumPlus Colossus Chain. As the name suggests, the chain is a huge 12mm with titanium reinforced hexagonal links that render hacksaws and bolt cutters virtually useless, while its tight inside link dimensions make prying it open impossible.
As well as a lifetime warranty and Sold Secure gold rating, the Colossus Chain comes with £500 insurance excess cover, reassuring you not only of the quality of the lock, but that you’ll be covered if the worst happens, too.
Home Security
As well as protecting the vehicles you take with you on your holiday, you may also be concerned about any you leave behind. Even with a garage or drive to store your car or motorbike, it’s well worth putting some thought into additional security measures for extra reassurance.
Parking posts
To keep our vehicle safe on a driveway or parking space, especially when you’re not there to check on it, a Parking Post is a great investment.
Comprised of heavy-duty steel, this post stops thieves from pulling straight off a drive or parking space but is easy for you to drive over when it’s folded down. The durable locking base is secured with 3 bolts, and the distinctive black and yellow colouring is impossible to miss, deterring any passing thieves.
Security cameras
Security cameras discourage trespassers and provide evidence if a crime occurs.
Benefits:
- Real-time monitoring
- Strong visual deterrent
- No ongoing fees for some systems
At Halfords, we stock a range of products from home technology experts, Eufy, including indoor and outdoor security cameras.
The Eufy SoloCam C210 with Solar Panel is a great option, offering crystal clear 2K footage, easy installation and fully weatherproof.
If you’re after a security camera and floodlight in one, look no further than the Eufy Security Floodlight Cam E340.
It uses AI tracking to distinguish between human, pet and vehicle detection and features smart illumination based on motion or a programmed schedule. Its advanced precision provides additional peace of mind that your home is safe and sound when you’re off on your travels.
What’s more, Eufy, is a one-time purchase, which means no hidden monthly fees. Browse our full Eufy security range on halfords.com.
With all these security solutions to ease your worries, you’ll be free to enjoy your holiday knowing that everything is well looked after. If you need anything else before you set off on your staycation this year, head over to Halfords.com to find all the ways we can get you road trip ready.
Shop our full range of staycation security over on halfords.com.
