Vacations are a great way to make lasting memories with friends and families. Through them, you can explore new cultures, cuisines and people. But the one new thing you don’t want to encounter is returning to a burglarized home — all because you failed to secure your home before leaving or worse — had few security measures in place.
So, what are the best ways to protect your home when you’re off to your next adventure?
Below are eight ways on how to protect your home and have a peace of mind on your trip.
1. Make Sure All Doors and Windows Are Locked Before Leaving
Unlike in TV shows or movies, burglars are more likely to enter your home through unlawful entry — walking in through an unlocked door or crawling in through an unlocked window. Locks serve as your first line of defense against intruders, so make sure that they work properly.
If you’re the forgetful type, you may want to consider smart locks, where you can lock and unlock your doors and windows remotely. Motion sensors for the door or window are another good tool to have if you forget to lock everything up. When armed, the sensors can send a signal to your smartphone, which will then allow you to alert the proper authorities.
2. Make it Look Like You’re Home
The best way to do this? Keep a couple lights on in your home. Better yet, set a timer that will automatically turn on your lights, especially at night. And be sure to have your outside lights scheduled to come on at night. When you do this, it makes it look like someone is home. Burglars are attracted to homes that are dark or appear that no one is home.
3. Don’t Announce Your Trip on Social Media
Today we live in a day and age where it’s uncommon to not share what’s on your mind and what you’re currently up to. But take caution when you’re about to leave for a trip. Don’t announce to your followers that you’re leaving town or when your leaving town. You never know who is looking at your feed. Same goes for geotagging your location, even if it’s just tagged yourself on the way to the airport. The damage is already done. Instead, wait until you’ve returned to share your pictures.
If you can’t resist uploading photos, just be sure to be to switch your account to private or friends only.
4. Invest in Home Security Devices
With today’s modern technology, protecting your home has never been easier. Home security systems, like Cove, can be customized to fit your family’s individual needs and best of all, can be accessed in a variety of ways, including on your smart devices. You can get immediate notifications and respond to emergencies and alarms all within an app or through messaging.
5. Have Neighbors Check In Periodically
Your neighbors are a great — a free — resource to use when out of town. You can enlist them to water your plants, check the mail or watch a pet while you’re away. This way they can periodically check in on the home and make sure it is secure.
Also, talk with them and give them your vacation itinerary and contact info, so they know how to reach you if an issue arises.
6. Collect Your Spare Keys
Before heading out, walk around your house and collect all the spare keys you have hidden. Burglars are getting smarter these days, and will look under your mats and flower pots for keys.
Also, keep tabs on who has keys to your home and make sure they are responsible and will not misplace them.
7. Don’t Cancel Your Lawn Care or Snow Removal
Again, you want it to appear that you are home, even though you’re not. So an overgrown lawn or unshoveled walkway are dead giveaways that you haven’t been home in a while. Or if you temporarily suspend these services, be sure to have a friend or neighbor take care of your home’s appearance.
8. Turn Off Your Water and Adjust Your Thermostat
Lastly, make sure to turn off your water in order to prevent potential leaks or pipes bursting. This 1 minute chore can save you from potential home damage caused by a leaky pipe.
As for your thermostat, if it’s wintertime, set your thermostat between 55 to 60 degrees to make sure your pipes don’t freeze. In the summer months, set your thermostat to 85 degrees or higher. Don’t turn off your thermostat all together because it could cause issues with other appliances, such as your refrigerator. Again, if you have an automated home security system, you can control your thermostat from an app on your smartphone.
Also, be sure to turn off your nonessential appliances, such as your coffee makers, TV, gaming systems and other electronics that have the potential for fires or power surges. Plus, they can draw power even when not in use, so save on your next energy bill by switching them off when going on a long trip.
These eight tips will help improve your overall home security while on vacation. Plus, you’ll have a better peace of mind while on your adventure!
At Cove, we believe that safety, security and peace of mind are priceless and want to help you get it. That’s why we’ve been working hard to develop world-class security and life safety solutions for our customers. Click here to learn more and see how we can customize a home security system that’s just right for you and your family.
