Sure, you booked your vacation months ago and you can’t wait to get out of Dodge. But before you pull out of your driveway, follow these to tipsto secure your property so you can thoroughly enjoy your well-deserved getaway.
Inform The Police And Your Home Security Company
Contact your local police department before you leave for vacation. While you’re away, officers will drive by your home and walk your property. If you have a monitored home security system, call and ask your provider if they offer extra features In your absence.
Be Careful What You Post Online
Did you post on Facebook that your Mediterranean cruise departs in three days? Or have you tweeted about your upcoming cross-county biking adventure? By broadcasting your soon-to-be whereabouts, you’ve also let potential thieves know you’re leaving home. Make awe you have privacy settings on your social media accounts, so only trusted family and friends can view your online updates.
Stop Deliveries Of Mail And Newspapers
It only takes minutes- either online or via phone -to arrange for your mall to be held and your newspaper a deliveries to be stopped. Plus you may be able to donate your vacation’s worth of papers to an educational program. Prefer your mall carrier and newspaper delivery person not know you’re away? Ask a neighbor to collect items from your mailbox and driveway each day that you’re gone.
Lock Windows And Doors, Move Items Out Of Sight
Don’t make it easy for an intruder to access your home; lock all windows and doors, even those on upper floors. Are electronics, collections and other expensive possessions easily visible through your windows and doors? Move or cover them.
Leaving behind Car In Your Garage Or Driveway?
Burglars may be deterred if they see a car parked in your garage or in your driveway. But make sure to secure your car, too. Place a lock on your steering wheel or tire. Remove your registration and insurance papers from the glove box And don’t leave any valuables in plain view In your car.
Light Your Home
Lights, both Inside and out, are an essential security feature. Place automatic timers on Interior lights Program them to go on and off at preset times, in keeping with your habits For example, set kitchen lights to go on at mealtimes and set bedroom lights to go off at bedtime. Install motion-activated lighting outdoors — espedally on porches, in stairwells and at storage area entrances
Plan for Mother Nature
No matter what the season, schedule a service to address any landscaping needs. Your lawn should be mowed. Your leaves should be raked. And, in the case of a snowstorm, your driveway should be plowed and your sidewalks shoveled.
Store Important Data Outside Home
Back up everything -from documents, to account passwords, to family photos- on an external hard drive. Make copies of your family’s Social Security cards, drivers licenses and credit cards. Then store all this data in a bank safe deposit box
Turn off Water. Unplug Appliances
To avoid water damage from a burst pipe, turn off the main water valve in your home and drain excess water from your pipes To save electrldty and minimize the likelihood of an electrical fire in your absence, unplug your computers televisions, clocks, gaming consoles and any other electrical devices in your home.
Have Neighbor As Your Eyes and Ears
Ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on your property. Even if you’ve taken every precaution to secure your home before your vacation, things still happen: a truck is idling in your driveway or a tree limb falls on your roof. Your neighbor can contact the police or the appropriate service personnel on your behalf. Whether enjoying a long holiday weekend away at the beach, or embarking on a month long safari overseas, safeguarding your home before you leave should be on every vacationer’s to-do list.
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