Protecting Your Home While on Vacation

7/24/2017 (Permalink)

Don't let the anticipation of a well-deserved vacation blind you to the risks of leaving your home unprotected. Go ahead and plan your vacation, but take these precautions before you leave.

The Insurance Information Institute reports that the majority of residential break-ins occur during the prime vacation months of July and August. Preventing burglaries and other problems when you are away takes a minimal amount of planning and can increase your peace of mind greatly while you travel. Experts in home security say that the key to keeping your home secure while on vacation is simply to make your home the least appealing target on your block.

Following the tips below, you can make your house harder to break into, and give yourself peace of mind that you have taken all the precautions for home security.

Internet

While using personal pages on the Internet may be a convenient way to keep in touch with friends, sharing your itinerary can cause problems while you are away from home. Show some caution when you talk about your trip. Your blog isn't the best place to announce that you'll be away from home for a month.  The less information you put out there, the less likely it is to reach the wrong ears and eyes. 

Locking Up

Before you leave for vacation be sure you physically secure and check all windows and doors. This seems so obvious, but hey, it's easy to forget. If you keep a window unlocked to allow the cat easy access, or never bother to turn the deadbolt on the kitchen door, now's the time to clean up your act. Locking your home makes it less attractive to opportunistic burglars. If you don't make it easy, there's a better chance that when you get home, your house will be in the same condition as when you left it. 

Unplug Electronics

Disconnecting the power to some of your electronics, like your desktop computer, coffee pot and television can save you money while you're gone and eliminate the worry that you've accidentally left them on by mistake. Turning off your garage door is also an effective way to keep thieves from opening it with a universal remote. 

Maintaining Appearances

If your house is obviously uninhabited, you may be at risk of becoming a target for a burglar. An occupied home looks lived in. Lights go on and off, and cars come and go. When you're away, everything stops. To help create the illusion that the residence is still occupied, invest in timers that turn on the interior lights for a few hours every evening. If you can get a neighbor to take out your garbage and put the cans back after the garbage pickup, it's another way to send the message that everything is proceeding normally at your house. 

Paying someone to keep the yard mowed while you are away is a good idea if you will be gone for a significant amount of time in the spring or summer. Parking a car in your driveway also can make it appear as though someone is at home.

Mail Delivery

Piles of mail and newspapers can make it clear that you are away. While you can temporarily stop mail and newspaper delivery while you're on vacation, the IntelligentCruiser.com doesn't recommend this practice because newspaper or postal workers will know you are away. Failing

Protecting Your Home

A burglar alarm, while not foolproof, helps secure your home. While alarm systems are expensive, the Insurance Information Institute reports that a sophisticated alarm system can result in insurance discounts of 15 to 20 percent. If you don't have an alarm system, installing deadbolts on doors and windows can make it more difficult for thieves to enter your home. The Insurance Information Institute also recommends turning your computer off and locking up important documents to prevent burglars from accessing financial and personal information. Locking up expensive jewelry and small electronic devices before leaving home will help you avoid the theft of your most valuable possessions. 

Enlist the Help of Neighbors

Tell your closest neighbors you’re going out of town and ask them to watch your home. By leaving them a key they can enter the home if there’s an emergency or even turn lights off and on periodically.

If you have a neighborhood watch group in your area, you can ask them to keep an eye on your home, too. It's another way to make sure someone reliable is paying attention to the premises while you're gone 

Consider Hiring a House or Pet Sitter

The best way to make sure your house is safe while you're gone is to have someone you trust still living in it. You may be lucky enough to have a tidy and conscientious relative who'll move in temporarily and water the plants, feed the pets and pick up the newspapers. If not, there are services you can use for house-sitting and pet-sitting while you're away. This can be a pricy option, but it's a solution that touches all the bases. 

Preventative Maintenance

Burst or leaking pipes can make you quickly forget all about your relaxing vacation. Shutting off the main water supply may help eliminate the possibility of plumbing problems when you are out of town. Insulating pipes and keeping the heat on during a cold snap will help prevent burst pipes.

Returning from Vacation

When you get back from your trip, be sure you inspect your home upon your return. Look for signs of entry or missing items. If you notice anything stray, be sure to call the police immediately. It’s a good idea to wait outside the home until help arrives and when they do be sure to allow them to collect fingerprints. Be sure not to allow anyone to walk on the lawn until the police have left as well.

Sources:

http://www.pepper-spray-store.com/relatedinfo/vacation-security.shtml http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/10-tips-for-keeping-house-safe-while-on-vacation.htm The Insurance Information Institute