Here are some simple precautions before you leave on your vacation or just if you are going away for a few days.
From The Outside Looking In
Keep that lived in look by having a neighbor bring in your mail and newspaper, or have delivery stopped. Leave them a key, contact number and your itinerary. Light up your yard with solar flood and path lights. Use motion activated lights at all entrances. Arrange to have the lawn mowed in the summer and snow removed from driveway and walks in the winter. Never leave a key in a flower pot, under a rock or the door mat. Find a good hiding place away from the door itself.
From The Inside Looking Out
Have a good lock system. Use deadbolts or check out the new key-less lock systems. Put lights and a TV on timers. Place in different rooms and activate them at different times.
Loose Lips Sink Ships
Be careful what you say in pubic about going away. Burglars do like to scout out their victims. Don’t publish on social websites or blogs about taking a trip. Don’t give out the time you are leaving or returning.
Additional Security
Place large water and food bowls outside to look like you have a dog. Leave a pair of man’s shoes with mud on them by the back door to give the appearance that they were left there recently. If you don’t have an alarm system, consider installing one well in advance or the trip. They aren’t that expensive anymore and the peace of mind is well worth the cost. Take a quick look at websites that offer home security tips for more ideas on what you can do to protect your home while you are away. It will be easy to find several home security system reviews that can help you make a decision on whether an alarm and monitoring system is right for your family.
Final Check List
Make a list or a video of all your valuables. Place it in a safe deposit box. Police departments often do courtesy security checks. Have them do a “walk around” of your house; they know what burglars look for when trying to access a home. Ask them to put extra patrol on your home while you are gone. Be sure that all doors and windows are locked when you leave. Open curtains part-way in one or two rooms, but be sure that expensive electronic gadgets or other valuables aren’t visible. Let your neighbors know if they see anything suspicious at your house to call the police. Depending on how long you will be gone and the time of year, turn off the water and adjust the thermostat to about 60 degrees in your home. Remember to set the home security system, as you walk out the door.
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