So, you’ve finally decided to go on a family vacation. Good for you! But, as any traveler knows, there is a lot of stress involved in getting ready to leave. One source of stress comes from leaving the house empty while away. How can you protect your home while you are away on vacation? Here are some tips:
So, you’ve finally decided to go on a family vacation. Good for you! But, as any traveler knows, there is a lot of stress involved in getting ready to leave. One source of stress comes from leaving the house empty while away. How can you protect your home while you are away on vacation? Here are some tips:
1. Recruit a Friend’s Help
The best way to ensure that your house is safe is by asking a trusted friend or relative to house sit or at least come by every day or so to check on the place. You should give him a key so he can water the plants, feed the fish, etc. This friend should have your contact info and a copy of your itinerary in case of any emergencies.
2. Inform the Neighbors
Inform your neighbors about your trip and ask them to keep an eye on your house, too. Make sure to let them know if you are having a friend or relative come by every so often. Also, give them a copy of your contact info and itinerary in case they see something amiss.
3. Stop Newspaper Deliveries
If you do not have a friend to visit your home daily or every other day to take the newspaper in, then make sure to call the newspaper company and have them stop deliveries when you are away. You are informing the world you are not home when you have a stack of old newspapers outside your house. You can also call the post office to hold your mail, if you like. They offer this free service from three to thirty days.
4. Timer for your Lights
When lights are on inside or outside the house, it scares away potential intruders. But, of course, you can’t keep the lights on the entire time you’re gone – that’s just a huge waste of energy. A good idea is to purchase light timers and have them go on and off at random times, for the illusion that people are home.
5. Lock the Windows
This may sound obvious but it’s easy to forget. If you don’t have safety locks already installed on your windows and you don’t want to invest in them just yet, you can buy cheap dowels to secure your window and stop someone from opening it up.
6. Disconnect the Electronics
Disconnecting your electronics, like TV, computer or coffee pot, will not only save you money but also get rid of you worrying that you left them on by mistake. Additionally, disabling the power to the garage door stops burglars from opening it up with a universal remote.
7. Don’t Announce it to the World
Try not to discuss your vacation plans in public places because you never know what kind of information could leak out and to whom. On that same note, do not announce your plans via Facebook, Twitter or your personal blog.
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