It’s easy to get so caught up in your vacation prep that you forget to do one thing or another. However, one thing you definitely don’t want to forget in your excitement is protecting your home for while you are away. In any case it’s better to be safe than sorry, so be sure to take the necessary precautions to keep your home safe and secure while you are away. A little extra vigilance before you go will help you be able to enjoy your trip without worrying about what’s going on at home.
Hold Your Mail
It may seem like your mail has little to do with protecting your home; however, an overflowing mailbox is often a dead giveaway that no one is home. Keep you mail from piling up by having the post office hold your mail while you are away. The postal service can hold your mail for 3 to 30 days, so even if you’re only gone for a week or two, it is still an option worth taking advantage of. Do the same with your newspaper.
Have Someone Keep an Eye on Your Property
Even if you do stop your mail and newspaper delivery, there are still a few telltale signs that no one is home. Those peddler fliers or periodic yellow page book deliveries are two examples. To keep an eye out for those kind of gotchas, ask a friend or relative to take a stroll past your property every day or two. Your friendly visitor can also take a minute or two to water your flowers or check on other houseplants as well.
Make Sure Everything Is Locked
This probably seems like a bit of a no brainer, but if you typically leave a window unlatched for the cat or you don’t lock the kitchen deadbolt, now is the time to do so. Making sure everything is locked is just another way that you can deter burglars and make it more difficult to access your home. According to the FBI, a home burglary occurs every 13 seconds, so it’s important that you do everything you can to prevent your home from being the next target.
Keep Your Plans on the Down Low
Announcing that you’ll be away from your home for a month on social media or in a crowded restaurant isn’t necessarily the best way to keep your home safe. Don’t project your every move on your social media channels, and even be careful about who is around you when you are discussing your vacation plans in public, especially if you’ll be gone in prime travel months. According to statistics, the most burglaries occur during the months of July and August because people are more focused on enjoying their summer fun than protecting their homes.
Turn Off Your Electronics
You probably thought about turning off and even unplugging your electronics, such as your coffee pot, television, and desktop computer. But you may not have considered your garage door opener or car GPS. Disabling your garage door opener will prevent thieves from opening it with a universal remote, while disconnecting your GPS will prevent burglars from having a map to your home, especially if you leave your vehicle parked in an airport parking lot or other long-term storage while you’re gone.
Install a Home Security System
Amp up the security of your home by installing a security system before you leave. The big benefit of this addition is that you’ll also get the benefit of its protection when you’re away, on a travel tour, at home, in bed, or just in the backyard. It’s estimated that homes without security or alarm systems are 300% more likely to be broken into, so it’s well worth the investment.
Keeping your home safe while you are gone is the best way to give yourself peace of mind and help you enjoy your trip. Use these tips to keep your home safe and reduce your risk of burglary or other harm.
David Glenn is a home improvement expert. He occasionally freelance writes about home maintenance and DIY home repair. He’s also knowledgeable about topics like how to improve social presence and building a reputation online.
