How To Keep Your Home Safe During Travel

No matter where you live, home invasion is always a possibility. Leaving for an extended vacation can leave your home exposed to break-ins. Everyone is always excited when getting ready to go on holiday. But through the excitement, you should remember to keep your home safe so you can return to your nest rather than a nightmare. Here are some simple tips to help keep your home safe and your mind at ease.

House Sitter

A house sitter can be one of the most effective ways of warding off potential thieves. Asking a close family member or friend to stay in your house while you are away keeps the appearance that someone is living in the home. Also, if something does happen, that person can get ahold of you quickly rather than you finding out when you arrive back home.

Hold Mail/Newspaper

Piling up of newspapers and mail is a tell-tail sign that the occupant of a home is away for a period of time. This will make your house an easy target to spot. USPS can now stop your mail on their website, making it easy to prevent the piling up of mail in your box. This will also safeguard your personal information contained in your mail.

Watch Your Property

Even if you don’t have someone living in your home during your holiday, you can have a neighbor keep an eye on it for you. Having them take flyers off the front doorknob, and having the trash put out on trash day is a great way to keep the appearance of someone living there.

Appear as if Currently Inhabited

Leaving a light on can be a good way to make it appear that someone is inside. An automatic light with a timer is a great way to make this happen without leaving the light on the whole trip and driving up electric bills. You can pick of of these up for just $20 or as high as a couple hundred, depending on what you are looking for.

Landscaping

If you happen to live in a home with a yard, you probably mow your grass once a week and keep your yard maintained pretty well. But, if you’re gone for an extended vacation, you will not be there to keep up on the landscaping. Hiring someone to come mow your lawn and do basic yard maintenance will not give away your absence to the general population.

Locking Up

The less opportunities someone has to get in, the less likely they will. Be sure to lock down your windows and doors before you leave. Even the skylight that is usually open 24/7 or the cracked window that lets the car run in and out. These small openings can make the difference between a crime scene and a stress free arrival home.

Sworn To Secrecy

Tell your friends and family that you are leaving. It is always a good idea to let someone know where you are. While doing this, be careful about who you tell and where you tell it. The wrong person may overhear and turn your home into a target. Social media is also another place to be careful about talking and discussing your holiday plans. Tell the world when you get back but make sure the whole world doesn’t know you’re leaving your house unattended for a few weeks.

Additional Security

This can be a costly measure but it also provides the most protection. Installing security cameras near entrances and sensors on windows and doors can keep your home locked down and safe. You can see just who is coming to your house while you are gone and with modern technology, you can view a live feed via your phone or tablet. Sensors on your windows and doors can alert police and trusted family members if someone tampers with the sensors.

Unplug Electronics

Unplugging electronics can be a good way to prevent fire hazards, not to mention keeping your electric bill down while you are away. You’re spending enough money on your trip, why pay more for electricity you are not using. Unplugging your garage door opener can also help with home invasion.

Hopefully these tips will help keep your home safe while you are gone and give you the peace of mind to enjoy your vacation instead of worrying about the safety of your home. Bookmark this page for future reference during the planning of your trip. For other travel advice, feel free to contact us.