Whether you’re planning a summer getaway or a long-term stay abroad, it’s important to protect your home while on vacation. The last thing you want is to come home to a house that’s been broken into. It’s just a nightmare that nobody deserves to go through! Fortunately, you can avoid this horrible scenario! So here is everything you need to know to not only keep you safe while you’re away, but you’ll be protecting your family too!
Lock All Windows and Doors
This is so obvious, but it never hurts to point it out! If you plan on taking a trip away from home, you should ensure your house is secure before you leave. You want to prevent thieves and other trespassers from accessing your home, right? While it’s the bare minimum, doing something as simple as locking up all your doors and windows is going to help massively.
There’s a chance your door is unlocked, and you probably don’t even know it. It’s so important to ensure no one can enter your home in any way, shape, or form. When checking your windows, you should also check for any signs of damage or breakage, and if possible, install window locks. These can be easily fitted to windows of all shapes and sizes, including casement, hopper, or double-hung windows. You can still take it up a notch from there; if you’re wondering if there are any locksmith near me, then you’re in for luck! Locksmiths can add more locks to your doors so your home will stay extra safe.
Set Up a Light Timer
If you’re on a tight budget, then you can count on this being one of the easiest ways to prevent a burglary while you’re on vacation! All you really need is a smart light bulb such as the Philips Hue. You can buy stand-alone timers that plug into a wall outlet or integrate with a security system. Most smart light bulbs offer a digital timer.
This means that it can be programmed to turn on and off at different times throughout the day, allowing you to create a schedule that works for you. Some can even be accessed remotely using a smartphone or other smart device (such as Alexa or Google Home.
The right timer depends on your needs, but most offer multiple settings that allow you to program multiple lights to turn on and off at different times during the day or week. Aside from preventing theft, setting a timer can make it appear that someone is home. Moreover, it can also help reduce your energy bill by turning off lights when they’re not in use. Burglars will usually scout out houses where it often appears someone’s not home. So if lights are on frequently, you should be in the clear.
Leave a Key with a Neighbor
This can potentially protect your home from vandals and thieves, but this can also help things inside your house, such as plants. One of the best ways to protect your home while on vacation is to leave a key with a neighbor. This way, someone who knows you will be there can bring in the mail, water your plants, and rake up any leaves or snow that accumulates on your driveway.
Then, if you have a neighborhood watch program, your neighbors will be able to alert the police or security company of any suspicious activity. This will help to discourage burglars from targeting your home in the first place. Leaving your mail outside can also be an inviting target for thieves. Full mailboxes and stacked newspapers outside your door are clear visual cues for would-be thieves. So, this is small, but all of this can add up to making it look like you’re home, therefore, less of a chance of your house being a target.
Hire a House Sitter
This is going to tie into having a neighbor come over. You don’t always need a neighbor; instead, you can have a friend, family member, or someone you hire. This is especially beneficial if you have a dog. Hiring a house sitter while on vacation is a great way to keep your home safe.
While you’re away, a house sitter will know what is happening at your home and will do everything they can to protect it. This is obvious, but when you hire a house sitter, finding someone you trust and feel comfortable with is important. Make sure to interview your potential sitter thoroughly and check out their references before signing any contracts.
Hide Valuables
While the chances of someone coming into your home are slim to none, hiding your valuables is still that extra step that truly helps. At the same time, many homes will have a safe; you don’t need one to keep everything in your home safe. Just look into hiding your jewelry and other valuables in the nooks and crannies of your home that only you know about.
Install a Security System
Why not step it up a notch and get a home security system? These systems are designed to protect your property against burglary, theft, and vandalism. The main components of a security system include a control panel, sensors, and alarms. These components communicate with each other and with the monitoring center to ensure that your home is protected.
Some systems also come with a cellular connection as a backup in case your Wi-Fi network goes out. That’s good because it allows your system to notify you and the authorities in an emergency. Plus, some of these have cameras too which can be very helpful.
Make Your Home Look Like Someone Is Home
Making your home look like someone is home while you are on vacation is one of the most effective ways to deter burglars and thieves. This can be done without having to install expensive security systems, and it’s a simple way to make your property safer while you are away from home. As mentioned earlier, one of the best ways to make your house look like someone is home is to set up lights, lamps, and TV timers. These can be purchased online or at your local hardware store.
Other effective ways to make your home look like someone is home include leaving a car in the driveway, using timed lighting (both indoor and outdoor) that goes on at different times, and having a radio or TV playing in the house. This may sound like a lot of work, but preventing a break-in is well worth the effort.