Holiday vacations take us to interesting locales and reunite us with our friends and family, giving us the chance to create new memories that will last forever. They also leave us with the dilemma of how to handle an empty home while we are gone.
You can take a few simple steps to increase your home security while you are away. These easy tasks may even seem like common sense, but they can be easy to forget in the rush to start a vacation. Jot down a checklist and set off on your trip without worry!
Little Touches that Make a Big Difference
- If you intend to be gone for more than a few days, it is a good idea to ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail for you. A full mailbox is a clear sign to intruders that no one is home. If your vacation will go on for several weeks, you can ask the postal service to hold your mail for you.
- An overgrown lawn is another obvious sign of an empty house. If you engage a landscaping service, ask them to continue their work while you are away. Those without lawn maintenance services might ask a trusted neighbor or friend to help out.
- It may be tempting to post your exciting plans on your social media. However, savvy intruders can use this information to locate a house that is ripe for a break-in. Ensure your children do not post about their plans, either. Save those amazing pictures for when you get back home!
- Consider leaving a car in the driveway. This provides a lived-in look to the home. If you are taking your only car, consider asking a neighbor to park there.
Around the House
- Lock your doors and windows.
- Lights on timers help create an illusion of people at home. Smart lights can do even more. They allow you to control them from wherever you are and create a realistic randomness in your lighting schedule.
- Lock up any valuables you may have. For larger items, consider stowing them out of sight. Do not forget to lock up any identifying documentation, such as Social Security cards and other identifying information!
- If you are worried about a potential leak causing water damage while you are gone, you can shut off the water main to the house. Those who will have people over to check the house, will likely want to leave the water on.
- Set your thermostat to maintain a constant temperature without excessive heating or cooling. A smart thermostat is a wonderful way to do this. You can control it while you are away, and set it to prepare for you to return in comfort! You can even set a geofence with a 100-mile radius, so it knows when you get back in town and can adjust automatically.
- Ensure your security system is in good working order. Obvious signs and cameras can act as a deterrent to potential thieves. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detector, and verify all cameras are functioning.
SafeTouch For a Safer Holiday
A security system can offer you extra peace of mind while you are on your holiday excursion. Contact SafeTouch Security today for more information on the right system for you!