by Jack Waltour 3 years ago There are a lot of things that need to be taken care of before going away on vacation, but a top priority for homeowners should be keeping burglars out of your house! We have 10 tips that you can use to keep your house safe from potential burglars and actually enjoy your getaway.
1. Double check your windows and doors
We already lock our doors and windows when we leave the house for the day, so it should be a no-brainer to make sure they’re locked when you’re on vacation. This should include second-story windows, windows in the basement and garage, and other access points. In case any of these don’t lock properly, consider getting them replaced quickly, wherein a site similar to https://www.replacementwindowstampa.net/ could be useful. Failing to do so can be worrisome as you are putting your house at a risk of burglary.
2. Stop mail and paper delivery
If you’ll be away for more than a few days, contact your post office and ask them to hold your mail until you return. You’ll also want to do this for the newspaper. If you worry that you’ll forget to restart service, you could ask a neighbor, friend, or family member to come by and pick up your mail or newspaper for you.
3. Install a security system
The first and foremost thing you may want to do before traveling is to invest in dependable and protective security services. When you hire a security company, they may provide you with a professional and competent security guard who has the necessary knowledge and skill to keep your property safe and secure your investment by increasing visibility. This can serve as a big red flag for any potential criminals or burglars. You could also choose to install a high-tech security system in your home. With technological advancements, security systems provided by the firms has come a long way over the years and now they are compatible with smart devices. By installing a security system, you’re able to keep an eye on your home 24/7 and it will still alert the authorities of a break-in. Installing a security system could also increase your home’s value, depending on the system.
4. Light timers are your best friend
When there are lights on in the home, it looks like someone is at home. We recommend installing timers on lights, televisions, and radios throughout your house. When you leave, set the timers to make the appliances come on around the same time you’d use them in your daily routine.
5. Hire someone to do yard work while you’re away
If you’re going to be away for an extended period of time, you may want to hire someone to cut the grass and take care of the pest problem (perhaps the individual can contact somebody by visiting https://www.pestcontrolexperts.com/local/indiana/) in the yard while you’re away. It gives off the illusion that someone is, in fact, home. Additionally, it helps in keeping your house and the premises clean and habitable.
6. Leave a vehicle in the driveway
If you have more than one car, leave it in the driveway. This will add to the appearance that someone is at home.
7. Remove the hide-a-key
Hiding a spare key somewhere near a door is great for emergencies, but they aren’t so great when you’re on vacation because some ne’er-do-well person could come by, find the key and go about ransacking the house!
8. Be mindful of social media
Leading up to (and during) your vacation, you should resist the urge to talk about it online – at least until you get back. You never know who’s using social media to plan out their next target!
9. Lock up small valuables
It’s fine to leave your small valuables where they are if you’re only going to be gone for a few days, but if it’s going to be an extended vacation, we recommend locking them up in a safe or at the very least hiding them in a secure closet.
10. Have someone house-sit for you
The easiest way to protect your house while you’re away, in our opinion, is to have a trusted friend or family member house-sit for you. By doing this, you don’t have to worry about the mail, yardwork, or hiding your small valuables. You can go on your vacation, enjoy every moment of it, and not stress about whether you locked the doors or if you remembered to set the security alarm.
Doesn’t it feel like there’s an ever growing list of things that we have to worry about as the year goes on? It’s no wonder that when vacation time approaches, we get so giddy we can hardly contain ourselves! However, when it comes to protecting your home from burglars, you’ll want to make sure you have your wits about you and you don’t forget a single thing.
So while you’re going over your final preparations, make sure to print out this list and go over these safety measures as well!