A dream vacation can turn into a nightmare if you come back home to find burglars have visited while you were away. There are some simple tips you can follow, so you can relax on your vacation. A little preparation can protect your home with no need for expensive alarm systems.
Ask a Good Neighbor
If you get on well with your neighbors, having someone keep an eye on your house can be an excellent deterrent. Ask them to open and close curtains and make sure your packages and mail don’t build-up, so it looks like someone is living there. You can also give them your vacation details so that someone can contact you in case of an emergency.
Use Smart Technology
If you have a Smart home hub, you can easily schedule lights to turn on and off while you are away. Otherwise, there are many plugs that go right into an outlet so again, you can choose the times your lights go on and off. A dark house can be a give away that you are on vacation.
Keep The Front Garden Mowed
If you have a front lawn or driveway, depending on the season, think about employing someone to remove snow or cut the lawn. It will not cost much, and your home will still look lived in, with the added benefit of coming back to a tidy garden. Try and find a neighborhood kid or someone you trust. You do not need to tell them you are going away – just pay them in advance.
Avoid Posting Vacation Details on Social Media
It can be exciting when booking your vacation, but sharing your photos on social media is not a good idea. If you want to share great vacation snaps with friends, create a private group on a social media site. Otherwise, you will be advertising that your house is empty, which is not a great way to keep your home safe.
Lock Up Properly
One of the most common things burglars look for is gaining easy access to your property. Make sure your home is securely locked. Thoroughly check windows, patio doors, and ensure all entrances/exits are double locked properly. If you normally have a spare key squirreled away, now might be a good time to hide it securely in the property. If you are leaving your car at home, you should also hide your car keys.