Burglaries can happen at any time, so it’s important to take steps to keep your home safe. Many times break-ins occur when families are away on vacation or taking an extended leave from their home. To keep your home secure when you’re away, check out these ways to enhance home security while on vacation.
Rake, Shovel, and Clean Before Leaving
An unkempt home is a sign that the residents are away. Rake leaves, mow the grass, remove snow from walkways, and tidy up to make your home appear cared-for. If you’ll be away for an extended amount of time, hire a landscaping company or a friend to maintain your yard. Burglars are less interested in entering a home that looks occupied.
Have a Neighbor Check Your Home
If you’re going to be gone for a while, ask a trustworthy friend or neighbor to periodically check on your home and make sure that nothing is out of place. Often, neighbors may hear a noise or notice something strange and ignore it because they don’t realize you’re away. When you tell a neighbor about your plans, they will be more attentive to your home.
Enhance Home Security with Lighting
Something as simple as a motion-activated light will deter burglars and enhance home security. Burglars are less likely to break into a home when they think that they’ll be seen. Install motion-detecting lights above the garage door and in the side yard. Leave a porch light on while you’re away. Add timers to lamps indoors to make it appear that someone is home.
Hide Your Valuables
Any visible valuables are bait for criminals. Your expensive home theater system shouldn’t be visible through a window. Keep curtains and blinds closed, especially when you’re away. Burglars target houses that contain valuable items, so keep your belongings hidden from sight.
Hold Mail and Packages to Enhance Home Security
When a home is occupied, mail and packages are collected regularly. If there is a pile of packages on your porch, that’s a sign nobody is home. Not only will it attract home invaders, but it also puts your packages at risk of theft and damage. Before you leave, notify the postal service to hold all incoming mail until you return.
Don’t Advertise Your Vacation
You may be excited about your trip, but don’t share details on social media. Posting about your upcoming or current vacation is a great way to let thieves know you won’t be home. If you want to share vacation photos, wait until you return. Staying quiet about your plans is an easy way to help keep your home safe.
Secure Doors and Windows to Enhance Home Security
Your doors and windows only keep people out when they’re working properly. Burglars don’t want to break windows or pry open doors because it’s noisy and brings unwanted attention. However, if your doors and windows are unlocked or easy to bypass, criminals can quietly and easily find their way inside.
Especially in an older home, check all doors and windows a few days before you leave. If you notice any problems or faulty locks, head to the local hardware store or contact a trustworthy contractor to take care of it immediately.
House Doctor Home Inspection offers home inspections to homebuyers and sellers in Rhode Island. Contact us to request our services.