Are you headed out of town soon for a business trip or summer vacation? Don’t leave the security of your home to chance; with just a few key measures taken beforehand, you can enjoy peace of mind and a secure home throughout the entire duration of your vacation.
Here are a few things to keep in mind in order to keep your home and possessions safe while you’re away.
Install security cameras.
Home security cameras are not only for the worrisome; they can offer a great deal of peace of mind during those periods when you’ll be away from home. You can have covert video surveillance equipment installed on your property and then access the video remotely via laptop, tablet, or smartphone, allowing you to keep tabs on your home from afar.
Don’t publicize your travel plans.
While it may be tempting to announce your travel plans on social media as you anxiously await your date of departure, it’s best to refrain from doing this, as it makes you an easy target for potential burglars. This includes using social media while you’re out traveling, as well—a surefire way to let people know that you’re away from your home and won’t be back anytime soon.
Make it appear as though you are home.
A home that looks unoccupied is the most attractive to burglars. Practice smart techniques for making your home look occupied while you are away. Consider asking a friend to stop by your home daily to collect the mail and newspaper (holding your mail at the post office makes it obvious to outsiders when you are away.) You could also set timers on your lights and even television and have them turn on and off at appropriate times. In addition, if you’re going to be away for an extended period of time during which your yard will need tending to, make arrangements beforehand to have your grass and shrubbery trimmed.
Make breaking into your home difficult.
Burglars are criminals of opportunity, and they generally don’t spend long breaking into the houses they loot from. Practice measures of common sense by locking your doors and windows, and investing in a deadbolt for your front and back doors. It’s also a good idea to secure the emergency release on your garage door with a zip-tie so that it can’t be disengaged from outside with a clothes hanger. Motion detecting lights can also serve as a major deterrent for burglars at night.
