Protecting your house while you travel is just as vital as protecting the belongings you bring with you. While no one wants to worry about the safety of their home when they’re on vacation, having to suddenly cut your holiday short and quickly come back home because your house was broken into can be even more stressful. To prevent this from happening and have some peace of mind when you’re away, take a few steps to secure your home before hitting the road. Here’s how you can do just that:
Invest in a security system
Home security systems are arguably the most crucial aspect of protection. Along with a burglar alarm, it might also be wise to look for a system that provides motion sensors, glass-break window and door sensors, as well as motion-sensor flood lights for the outdoors. These features can be quite beneficial for deterring potential intruders, but they are also loud and noticeable enough to notify your neighbors of any suspicious activity. That way, the authorities can be called in case something unexpected happens while you’re away.
Install smart cameras
Many home security systems will come with cameras. But in case yours doesn’t, or you simply want some additional coverage, it’s wise to install cameras all around the perimeter and the interior of your home. Not only can cameras serve as a great deterrent, but they could also aid in identifying and catching burglars in case someone does break into your home when you’re traveling. When choosing the best cameras for your home, it’s recommended to opt for smart, Wi-Fi-enabled options. They will allow you to monitor your home from the road while also notifying you of potential suspicious activity immediately.
Set everything on timers
It’s often recommended to make your house appear as if someone is currently inside while you’re traveling, helping to potentially deter burglars from attempting a break-in. A great way to achieve that is by putting the lights all around your home on timers, setting them to turn on at different times of the day. When the light turns on in different rooms according to your regular schedule, everything will seem normal from the outside. Similarly, you can keep any outside lighting on at all times, ask a neighbor to park their car in your driveway, or have someone collect your mail, to make the house look lived in.
Keep up with maintenance
Break-ins aren’t the only thing you should worry about when leaving your home. It’s also wise to protect your house from property damage, as even the slightest mishap could end up wreaking havoc on your home if you’re not there to fix it immediately. That is why you should make it a point to complete your maintenance schedule before you leave. For instance, you can invest in pipe relining to repair your pipes quickly and efficiently without digging, thus preventing leaks and breaks. Protecting your house against power surges and setting programmable thermostats could also help greatly.
Ensure entrances are closed
Naturally, one of the most common things we do whenever we leave our home is to check whether we’ve locked our front door. And while that should still be a habit you maintain when going on vacation, don’t overlook the smaller aspects you may forget about in your everyday life either. These include checking whether your windows are closed, if the back door is locked, if the garage door is closed, and whether pet doors are fully secured. Installing locks on windows and other entrances, as well as disabling automatic doors can also be wise actions to take.
Have someone check in
Neighbors, friends, and family members can also help to protect your home while you’re on the road. If you have any individuals in your life you know well and trust completely, ask them to check in on your house periodically. Their mere presence can deter potential intruders, and they could also inspect for any property damage that may have occurred in the meantime. Apart from seeing whether anything suspicious has happened in your home, you could also ask these individuals to do odd jobs such as shoveling snow or mowing the lawn to make the house appear occupied.
Don’t post on social media
Of course, it can be quite tempting to share images and videos of your holiday on social media, letting everyone know just how beautiful your vacation is. However, this may turn out to be quite a dangerous habit. In fact, burglars often scroll through social media to identify their next target, and telling them directly that you aren’t home can pretty much be an invitation for a break-in. Instead, wait until you get back to share those posts on social media, and ensure you’re never geotagging your address. Even if all your social profiles are private, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Travel is meant for relaxation and fun, and the safety of your home shouldn’t be a worry during this time. Follow the advice above to secure your house and ensure it’s protected even when you’re away.
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