Winter holidays are one of the most popular times of the year for travel. While it feels great to plan your trip and pack your suitcase, don’t get so excited that you forget to protect one of your biggest investments: Your home! The fact is that while you’re enjoying time with family and friends, burglars may be taking advantage of the fact you are away. To ensure an enjoyable trip that ends with coming home to an undisturbed house, you must plan home security measures in advance. Check out our list of tips to secure the inside and outside of your home before you leave for vacation.
Inside Your Home
The inside of your home requires more tasks, so it’s best if you begin with these items:
- Set times for interior lights: Burglars are opportunists, so allowing your home to appear as if everyone is gone may be risky. Ensuring that lights are scheduled to come on at dark goes a long way in deterring thieves.
- Avoid broadcasting your whereabouts: You should never announce your location on social media. Even if you think only friends and family can view your profiles, it is usually best to wait until you get home to post status updates. If you must post, make it vague and don’t include your current location.
- Avoid power surges: Power surges can occur anytime, so it never hurts to be prepared. Either make sure your electronics are plugged into surge protectors or unplug televisions, computers, and other devices.
- Secure your valuables: If you don’t usually store jewelry and other valuables in a safe or safety deposit box, this may be a good time to do so. Taking this step makes certain that you don’t leave something of value visible to burglars through a window.
- Alert your home security company: If your home has an automatic security system, call your representative and inform them of the dates you’ll be gone. Before you leave, check that the alarm is set properly. In the event you have no alarm or cameras, this could be a great time to add protection so you can monitor from your phone.
- Protect your pipes: Pipes located in vulnerable areas like basements, crawlspaces, and attics should be insulated. If you live in an area where temperatures get frigid, set your thermostat to at least 55 degrees. Ask a trusted friend or neighbor to stop by and periodically turn the faucets on and check the home to prevent the pipes from freezing.
- Set your HVAC Accordingly: Set your thermostat to lower your home’s air conditioning and heat usage. It’s also wise to change the batteries in the thermostat at this time.
- Check all windows and doors: This may seem like an obvious step, but be sure to double-check that every window and door is locked and secure.
Outside Your Home
Now, it’s time to move outdoors. Here are the top tasks to secure the outside of your home before you leave.
- Pause mail and newspapers: Temporarily stop newspaper and mail deliveries, or have them picked up regularly by a trusted friend or neighbor. Allowing these items to collect can easily signal to a thief that you are not home.
- Install additional exterior lighting: Consider lights that connect to timers, as this is a big deterrent.
- Do not leave an outdoor spare key: Are there hidden spare keys around your home? If so, collect them! Experienced burglars know the most common hiding places and will search until they find one.
- Lock your garage: Even if your garage does not allow access to your home, it’s vital to make sure the doors are locked.
Closing Thoughts
At the end of the day, anything you can do to provide your home an extra layer of defense while you’re gone is crucial. The more steps you take, the less of a chance you’ll leave yourself vulnerable to burglars. So, make a checklist and get started!
